Zhana Ivanova - Predictions (2014)

The function of a "cosmic compass" intended in Morris’ Observatory served as a starting point for Zhana Ivanova’s performance. Her focus diverts however from the movements of the sun and the planets – instead she observes the site’s immediate environment. Each day a steady flow of trains, trucks, tractors, cars and bicycles passes by the Observatorium’s perimeter – forming ever changing, and as far as we know incidental constellations. As patterns emerge and establish, Ivanova foresaw a scenario where daily chance and a perhaps grander scheme seemed to intersect. A series of predictions was heard through individual headphones, and viewers were invited to observe which of them would come true and which would not.

The performance at Robert Morris' Observatory in Lelystad took place on Sunday September 14th 2014, 15:00 - 16:00 hrs.

Zhana Ivanova’s practice centres on rearranging daily patterns and systems to which we have grown accustomed. She often uses performance in order to artificially induce situations in which social and power relations fluctuate. Her constructions are initially formal and rule-governed; yet within them she insistently exposes the ambiguity of her own rules. Zhana Ivanova (Bulgaria/UK, 1977) recently completed a residency at the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten. Predicitions was exhibited as a sound installation at Ellen de Bruijne Projects in Amsterdam from November 1st – December 20th.

Images of Predictions by Geert van der Wijk

An impression of the performance on Vimeo:

Credits

Alex Zakkas and Lot Meijers (advice and assistance), Jose Biscaya, David Djindjikhachvili en Lucas van Eck (film), Carlos (sound). Performers: Michael Blass (voice), Alexander Höglund, Janneke Raaphorst, Toby Paul, Alice Pons, Mariangela Tinelli, Agustina Muñoz, Dan Gonen, Tashi Iwaoka, Slavisa Drobnjakovic and Gerindo Kartadinata (on site). Celine Wouters (design). Headphones: Silent Disco (Nico Okkerse). Helicopter: Heli Holland. Motorbikes: MTC Flevoland. Thanks to Het Flevo-landschap, Provincie Flevoland and Mondriaan Fund.