For many years, Piotr Stachlewski have used photographs to document hundreds of views of Lodz, dominated by inscriptions on the walls made by RTS and ŁKS fans. Where did the idea to methodically record them and show them in the gallery come from? According to the artist, it is a specific form of recording the reality that surrounds us. Everything that happens there can be an inspiration for creativity and "find itself in a painting". Therefore, is the "Krew miasta" exhibition engaged art?
Prof. Marek Domański:
An attempt to transfer this type of activity into photography and show them in a gallery is a desire to express agency and once again draw attention to the existing problem of the hate speech, aggression and verbal violence.
What do the inscriptions documented on the walls prove? Can these actions be considered a part of cheering?
Cheering becomes an element of identity, a transfer from other areas of life, class and ethnic divisions. This type of activity is an aggressive form of cheering – slandering the opposing team, and its radicalisation is an expression of a strong need to belong, also to the heritage passed down by grandparents and fathers. In turn, the issue of the recurring anti-Semitic messages on inscriptions painted on walls is trivialised by many people. Anti-Semitism without Jews (no more than 15,000 people in a country of 40 million people declare Jewish identity) is meaningless, and the inscriptions and slogans of this type are not harmful, since they do not concern "true" followers of Judaism or citizens of Israel (…) Accustoming subsequent generations of young fans to the fact that insults based on ethnic hatred are harmless contributes to the disregard of other forms of xenophobia
– said Prof. Wojciech Woźniak during the meeting.
The discussion revealed several points of view on the phenomenon, at the same time showing that the presence of the so-called hooligan fans is a current social problem in Poland. Lodz is a specific place on the map of Poland, it is difficult to separate the inscriptions from the context. At the same time, the anti-Semitic context becomes "transparent" due to its ubiquitous presence in urban space. How to counteract this?
It was only in the early 2000s that the inhabitants of Lodz began to react strongly, and as a result of this disagreement, "Colourful Tolerance" was created. It is a cyclical campaign aiming at painting over the inscriptions on the walls. Why, despite this, do more offensive and vulgar inscriptions keep appearing? Why don't we have effective tools to address this problem systematically?
– asked Dr Joanna Podolska-Płocka.
Football clubs are not interested in education against aggression and anti-Semitism. One can also observe a decreasing involvement of football players and fan associations in promoting the idea of tolerance. Nevertheless, we should keep returning with action, education and continuous sensitisation
– added Dr Podolska.
Prof. Marek Domański:
What is important is that through this exhibition, attention was once again drawn to a reprehensible and unacceptable phenomenon. In addition, the documentary photography provides evidence and comparative material for further research that may serve social change.
The topic is still relevant and open.
Report on the opening of the "Krew miasta" exhibition
Source: Jolanta Sławińska-Ryszka
Edit: Communications and PR Centre, University of Lodz