[NetBehaviour] The Revolution of Dwarves I.

[marc]

Umelec 2/2006

Dmitrij Desaterik / The Revolution of Dwarves I.

or Freedom to Bondmaid Isaura and Political Prisoners!

 From November 19 to December 30, 2005 the Orange Alternative exhibition 
by Polish artist Waldemar Major Fydrych took place at the Kiev 
Contemporary Art Center sponsored by the Pora nongovernmental 
organization well-known for its outstanding political appearances during 
the “revolution.” Before that, the project had been exhibited in 
Kharkov, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, and Lvov and everywhere it had excited 
curiosity and keen interest of the public.

Ukraine President Viktor Yushchenko’s supporters had chosen the color 
orange, but failed to become real adherents of another true Orange 
Movement—one whose ideology aims to transform politics into an ironic 
happening. Waldemar Fydrych, better known as Major, is a founder of the 
Polish Orange Alternative. A graduate of History and Fine Arts Faculty 
of Wroclaw University, and author of numerous publications, Fydrych 
initiated a series of absurdist actions in Wroclaw after martial law had 
been introduced in Soviet-occupied Poland in the 1980s. The idea proved 
fruitful and catchy. As Fydrych used to say, “You cannot be serious with 
a police officer during interrogation if he asks you why you took part 
in an illegal meeting of dwarves.”
Laughter, he demonstrated, is the best remedy for stereotypes, 
clichés—and fears.

Birth of Dwarves.
A first happening entitled Manoeuvres of the Foreign Legion in Dunes 
involved institutionalized individuals, most of whom were sane but 
avoiding military service. This is when some psychotherapist invented an 
ironic nickname "Major" for Frydrych. During the broadcast of 
propaganda-stuffed TV news, hundreds of people took their dogs out, 
keeping deadly silence. First, they walked exclusively on the left side 
of the sidewalk and then on the right.

One day, main streets were filled with thousands of posters featuring 
Karl Marx, causing people to smile. More risky methods were also used. A 
demonstration that claimed, “Let a Bear Go!” took place near Wroclaw 
City Zoo to spite the martial law regime. The implication of the action 
was clear to everyone. At the same time, the police could not understand 
how they should react. When they decided to take measures, dwarf 
"policemen" dressed in clown suits came and began to actively help real 
policemen. The police officers had no choice but to leave, followed by 
bursts of laughter. The dwarves were the main force of Orange Alternative.

more...
http://www.divus.cz/umelec/en/pages/umelec.php?id=1078&roc=2006&cis=2#clanek