Lamina Project
Performative InstallationInstruction
A 2,40 meter stick of wood is moving slowly threw the space connected to the ceiling only
with a thin cotton twine. On one side of the stick there is a water canister balancing the
twenty plastic bags showing evidence objects from the Lamia case on the other side.
Andrea Salzmann criss-crossed the Basque Country to collect all this items such as stones,
postcards, a plastic comb etc. and preserved them in small bags with notes where and when
she has found each object. She followed the route of the Lamiak, who are ambiguous creatures
from the Basque mythology. Mainly night active, they help the villagers to finish their day
work but only if they are treated nice by them. If you upset a Lamia she will never return.
In the text „Basque Legends in their social context“ Elena Williams asks:
“How the Lamia control one‘s nature in order to live at peace with one self and one‘s neighbours?”
In Andrea Salzmann’s installation she brings this question into nowadays not only threw
the objects but also by attaching a text that is written in the manner of necromancy at
the wall behind the mobile. By reactivating this spirits from former times the artist
directs ones attention into the creation of a society that is focused on sharing,
supporting each other and creating a new form of community that has nothing to do with
closing borders and creating the evil Other such as refugees, aliens etc.
The Lamiak
could become a resource for subversive instructions to deal with our time.
And while you read the text attached to the wall and all this thoughts are crossing your
mind – the mobile is making its silent circles in the space crossing also four small
photographs from magic Lamiak spots.
