METACOGNITIVE TOOL

2016 - ongoing

Metacognitive Tool combines a wearable sculpture installation, research, solo-performance. It is an exploration on reclaiming agency, experience of disembodiment and the anthropocentric paradox of humanity's position within nature, and outside of it.

A variety of components form the performance score: sound, embodied research, and wearable sculpture. The score is inspired by the artists research on the physical and mental development of human being. Starting at the state of being sea-creature (Pikaia) 500 million years ago, towards taking the physical form of the homo sapiens around 300.000 years ago, and arriving at the present anthropocentric state of being 'homo sapiens sapiens', where psycho-cultural transformations have led to a partial alienation of the mind over the body, and anthropocentric neglection of the planets female energy ‘Gaia’ (after philosopher Isabelle Stenger's definition).

︎A rts Catalyst/Performance Studio (’16)
︎Lethaby Gallery (2016)
︎em-em, THECUBE (2017)
︎TERRA FIRMA Magazine (2017)
︎Down/Under Gallery (2017) ︎Salve Berlin (2018)
︎48 Stunden Neukoelln (2019)

THE HUMAN ANATOMY IS ADORNING THE HUMAN ANATOMY

2009 - 2011

The Human Anatomy is Adorning The Human Anatomy (2009-2011) is a wearable sculpture collection with a neuro-philosophical approach. It was published in 2011 in a solo exhibition along with the launch of a philosophical-photo zine and video-performance. All pieces together (wearable sculptures, zine, performance, video) create an artistically tailored puzzle work explaining one anothers content with different sensual experiences. The wearable sculptures reflect the human anatomy as universal messengers. The wearable objects, which shall remind of the „human basics“ are designed with skin-like colors and textures. By re-creating the complex psychological self with the usage of several skin-like layers the artist simultaneously raises the philosophical question: how many „selfs“ do we own?

︎DAS Weekend (2011)
︎Kunstraum t27 (2011)
︎Tallerts Oberts (2011)
︎Centre For Sustainable Fashion (2011)
︎Der Greif (2011)
︎Gedankenskulptur (2012)
︎Sova Magazine (2012)

AN EMOLOGICAL SYMPHONY

2013

An Emological Symphony (2013) is a performative installation, that is joining human and technological organs. The outcome of this hybrid action is a bio- musical score coming to life on stage. The performers heart rate, breathing scale, and temperature are being measured through sensors; the data is the parameter for the sound track. The performer is influencing the music, and influenced by it - an interplay between actor and reactor. The work regards current topics such as (over-) usage of technology, politics of privacy in the internet, and the changes of culture.

︎CTM Hacklab (Beta-phase) (2013)
︎Sophiensaele , 100Grad Festival (2013)

BODY AXE X/Y/Z

2018

body axe (as per x, y, z) is a figurative research of the human body and mind in the Anthropocene; an era that is defined by the human impact on natural processes. The sculpture's transit state is symbolyzing the paradox of the Zeitgeist: the increased understanding of nature through science and technology, and simultaneous alienation of the Self, and disembodiment. For this work the artist applies her ongoing research on the collective trauma caused by war and natural catastrophes; focusing on the long-term consequences of such suppressed and inherited memories. Deformed and turned inward the sculpture expresses the dazedness and defencelessness of a body that is plagued by memories, it may not even have experienced.

︎Salve Berlin (2018)
︎ROSALUX (2018)

UN/FOLDING

2015

Un/Folding is a multi-medial installation consisting of a video, book, and laser-printed sheet of wood. The work refers to the traditional act of harvesting in groups and the related communication between human beings and nature. The rise of industries such as machine engineering and beverage industry affected individual agriculture in the 60s/70s, and the individual and culture. The video shows a repetitive action performed in apathy, referring to the mental state of distress: Solastalgia. This is a condition resulting in extreme environmental changes.

︎Elthrone Studios, MA Art&Science (2015)
︎Remember Nature, Gustav Metzger (2015)

MAGNETIC LINES

2015

Magnetic Lines is a multi-medial installation consisting of a video, book. The project began with a workshop series for which the artist invited a number of performers. The subject of touch and interaction was reflected upon by conducting communication forms through non-verbal physical movements. The project reflected upon the absence of a number of senses in the digital era, such as tactility.

︎ ad sum, Le Sechoir (2015)

CHANGE OF MIND; AMPHIBOLY (COM)

2014-2016

Change of Mind; Amphiboly is a collection of four paintings, that contain venous blood by the artist. It was stored in a glass containing nail polish remover with lemongrass scent. The disinfected blood is invisible prima vacie on the paper. The work addresses the cultural change which comes with the integration of digital communication tools. Which impact does the absence of analogue matter have on the rhythms of the body. One of the research interests for this project is Michel Foucault's critic about a medicalized and institutionalized society.

︎Lethaby Gallery (2016)

MUTABILI NUMERUS (OOO)/(OOI)

2017

Mutabili Numerus (OOO) / (OOI) is a performance based on the synchronisation of rhythms in a group, based on the remembrance of body points. The score is inspired by accupressure points known from chinese traditional medicine (CTM). The performance Mutabili Numerus (OOO) was developed together with the performers Barbara Agostini, Isabelle Sidony Capper, Pinelopi Kefou, Rebecca Korang, Nena Robertson, Beatriz Sanchez. This project is the artists Graduation Project for MA Art and Science at Central Saint Martins.

︎CSM Post-Graduation Exhibition (2017)
︎The Red Gallery (2017)

GEDANKENSKULPTUR

2012

Gedankenskulptur is an interactive sculpture, and soundtrack. Visitors can explore the sculpture by walking in the wood skeleton covered with a tailored cloth in the color of the skin / anatomy, the thread-network symbolising the human neurons. The soundtrack is an auditive addition to the work, explaining the psycho-biological process of perception through sound and spoken word.

The main subject of the art work is the multi-faceted way of documenting "the human perception". The challenge is the experiment to interpret this fragile and yet very obvious theme in an 2-m long installation and action.

︎WCOMTC (2012)
︎KlangArt (2012)

All images and texts © 2009-2019 Monika Gabriela Dorniak.

All rights reserved.

MONIKA G. DORNIAK

POSTER EDITIONS

ALIENATED SELF (2016/2019)

BL.57 (from the series HUMAN ANATOMY IS ADORNING ITSELF) (2009-2011/2019)

UN/FOLDING (pixelated video still) (2015/2019)

BL.57
(from the series HUMAN ANATOMY IS ADORNING ITSELF) (2009-2011/2019)