Cultural Impact
In 1975, Akademia Ruchu began organizing theatre performances and various environmental initiatives. Initially, they took place in public spaces (e.g. Europa/Europe, 1976), then moved to private apartments (e.g. Dom I / House I, performed in Lublin in 1978, or Dom II / House II, Santarcangelo, also 1978). The aim of these endeavors was to encourage exchange between actor and audience, search for new modes of communication among individuals, and become accustomed to interpreting the direct environment in which such an ‘arranged’ encounter would take place.
In 1979, Akademia Ruchu transformed into a professional group and theatrical centre. Its team started organising art workshops in Poland and abroad, international seminars devoted to various aspects of visual arts, as well as became involved in managerial activities by inviting international theatre companies to perform in Poland (including: Living Theater, Odin Teatret, and Piccolo Teatro d Pontedera)
During this period, the company continued producing such performances as: Inne Tańce (Other Dances, 1982), English Lesson (1982), Kartagina (Carthage, 1986), and others which bordered on performance and plastic arts.
Between 1979-81, the group was responsible for the programme of the Cultural Centre in Warsaw’s district of Grochów, while between 1989-94 it was based at the Tęcza Studio in Warsaw’s Żoliborz. The group, however, was forced to leave that location by the ill-disposed local government. Its later performances included Sezonowa wyspa (Seasonal Island, 1993), Tango wodne (Water Tango, 1994), or such actions as Światło i ciążenie (Light and Gravity), Przychodnia.Exit (Clinic.Exit), Mauritus i inne propozycje (Mauritius and Other Propositions), Tylko jedna godzina (Only One Hour).
Author: Monika Mokrzycka-Pokora, August 2003
Transl. AM, Jan 2014