Since 2017
WATCH WOMAN
Performance Series
WATCH WOMAN
Performance Series
2017 – 2021
Watch woman is a typical character of the cultural world of museum life in the countries of the former USSR. Most often, it is a rather elderly woman, dressed either very modestly or, on the contrary, in attire that draws attention.
W.w. follows the order and clear rules in museums: in many institutions it is still strictly forbidden to step in shoes on the historical parquet and marble stairs – for a long time visitors were obliged to wear absurd special slippers on rubber bands over street shoes, which had to be taken from the checkroom.
Performance Series
2017 – 2021
Watch woman is a typical character of the cultural world of museum life in the countries of the former USSR. Most often, it is a rather elderly woman, dressed either very modestly or, on the contrary, in attire that draws attention.
W.w. follows the order and clear rules in museums: in many institutions it is still strictly forbidden to step in shoes on the historical parquet and marble stairs – for a long time visitors were obliged to wear absurd special slippers on rubber bands over street shoes, which had to be taken from the checkroom.
Museum workers have adapted in various ways to the changes that creakily come to museums. Sometimes this merger was not without scandal. There are many stories about how watch women indignantly unplugged noisy installations in the Russian Museum or vehemently expressed their uncompromising opinions about the works of contemporary artists exhibited in the historic halls of the Hermitage.
There is also the w.w. who is humbly present at her workplace day in and day out. She often selects clothes or accessories to match the guarded museum works, becoming an art object herself. The watchwoman has become a true sign of the times, a silent witness to a bygone era.
W.w.'s labour is purely performative, her, more often than not, subtle presence is an integral part of the culture of increasingly obsolete museums. How often does it happen that when you enter another room in an exhibition you see a tired elderly woman asleep in a chair. However, if there is a line drawn in front of the exhibit, which must never be stepped over, she will run up to you sharply to remind you of the rules of decorum, or will raise her voice imperiously from afar, without getting up from her seat.
Dagnini's w.w. first appeared during the annual Night of Museums festival in St. Petersburg. She has subsequently glimpsed in other circumstances. In 2021 – Dagnini guarded her own artworks in Fragment Gallery booth as a museum worker. The performance was accompanied by her friend Olga Smirnova, portraying the role of her shift colleague. The performers interacted with the audience, sometimes sitting motionless, doing crossword puzzles and occasionally falling asleep on their chairs.
There is also the w.w. who is humbly present at her workplace day in and day out. She often selects clothes or accessories to match the guarded museum works, becoming an art object herself. The watchwoman has become a true sign of the times, a silent witness to a bygone era.
W.w.'s labour is purely performative, her, more often than not, subtle presence is an integral part of the culture of increasingly obsolete museums. How often does it happen that when you enter another room in an exhibition you see a tired elderly woman asleep in a chair. However, if there is a line drawn in front of the exhibit, which must never be stepped over, she will run up to you sharply to remind you of the rules of decorum, or will raise her voice imperiously from afar, without getting up from her seat.
Dagnini's w.w. first appeared during the annual Night of Museums festival in St. Petersburg. She has subsequently glimpsed in other circumstances. In 2021 – Dagnini guarded her own artworks in Fragment Gallery booth as a museum worker. The performance was accompanied by her friend Olga Smirnova, portraying the role of her shift colleague. The performers interacted with the audience, sometimes sitting motionless, doing crossword puzzles and occasionally falling asleep on their chairs.
The Night Shift
Performance
2017
In the Night of Museums, people walk, drink and dance to monstrous pop hits on the streets with much greater enthusiasm than visiting the museums or art galleries. The cultural event turns out to be a cover and an occasion for night debauchery. The watchwoman goes out into the night, to protect and institutionalize the actual cultural values.
2017
In the Night of Museums, people walk, drink and dance to monstrous pop hits on the streets with much greater enthusiasm than visiting the museums or art galleries. The cultural event turns out to be a cover and an occasion for night debauchery. The watchwoman goes out into the night, to protect and institutionalize the actual cultural values.
