Rib Cage

I make art of myself

(Anja Novak)

My body. My cage, my corset, my support, my safety, my prison, my protection. I am the cage, I am the prisoner, I am the instrument. I sound when Grom strikes. I make of myself what I want. I make of myself what I don’t want. I make art of myself. If I manage to survive. Maybe that’s the only way. Marina says: “Art must be beautiful.” Others say: “Artist must be hungry. We will not stop you to live but we will give you best chances to die.” To be an artist. In spite of everything. Last chance not to die. Because now I have the last chance, my doctor told me. And you’re watching this. Dealing with my own shit alone is boring.

Photo: Sara Horžen

Photo: Sara Horžen

Photo: Sara Horžen

Photo: Sara Horžen

Photo: Sara Horžen

Photo: Sara Horžen

Rib Cage

2020
Concert performance • 50 min

Conceived by — Anja Novak in collaboration with Tomaž Grom
Performers — Anja Novak, Tomaž Grom
Dramaturg and co-writer — Varja Hrvatin
Movement consultant — Anita Wach
Producer — Špela Trošt
Production — Via Negativa
Co-production — Zavod Sploh
Partner — Nova pošta
The project was conceived based on participation in the Via Negativa laboratory for contemporary performance art – VN Lab.