Grupa COX

Bicycle is a photographic record of the artists’ spontaneously playing with a wheel and handlebars found accidentally in the countryside. The light and playful atmosphere of the photos manifests a creative attitude as well as lifestyle inspired by Dadaism. The documentation of this action is an important testimony of social and cultural life, which is important for expanding the area of research into artistic practices in the context of art history and other social sciences.

It is important to ‘enjoy the small things’, emphasizes Józef Czerniawski. For some, capturing this performative activity may be an expression of a close relationship between friends and artists who make a joint effort, and thus strengthen the sense of community and unity. Others, analysing the work in a historical context, will find threads related to the search — and need — for freedom. The period of systemic transformation in Poland and the new opportunities emerging with the advent of ‘wild capitalism’ led to social, political and economic changes. Therefore, from today’s perspective, the photographic documentation of the Bicycle performance can be read as a glorification of joy and pleasure derived from simple, sometimes clownish activities against the backdrop of developing consumerism.