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The arrival
A tall figure appears in the doorway. Three hours late. As it is already four o‘clock in the morning, the figure falls asleep in the bathroom until it is gently carried to bed.

The dance floor
The Art Nouveau building was constructed on the demolished remains of the old royal court because the king thought the location was a little too hyped. The black and white photographs were taken on dance floors after the suppression of the Prague Spring and before the end of the communist regime. This phase – characterised by repression, censorship, controls and purges – was euphemistically referred to as normalization. Dance schools were an essential part of this period. One would usually dance in borrowed garments, it was mainly the floor that cringed at the sight of grandmother‘s bulky shoes. One metre seventy-five above, pairs of eyes crossed each other regardless of the dilemma going on beneath their shuffling steps. (Knowing the right connections, the black market would also offer a limited selection of Western goods. Few knew a tailor who was able to copy the cut of a real dress from Paris). But now: The circle doesn‘t even try to close itslef, it keeps flowing out like the yolk of a ruined fried egg. And the garments from Paris are getting cold just as quickly.

The Man (Trophy Man)
Mannequins are human-shaped plastic shells with empty hands presenting empty promises. Normative displays avoiding a multitude of nasty accusations. White paint has been applied in multiple layers to conceal almost any identity - but his abs is just too hard (and reveals his approximate year of manufacture 1980s). Fashion responds to general uncertainty with a false sense of security. It attempts to commodify nostalgia and emotionally fuel ready- to-use aesthetics. The man is now at a point where he randomly offers free hugs.

The wedge
Someone staggers through the room in a half-asleep state and has forgotten what time it is. 1500: Theatre was usually performed on raked stages to create the illusion of perspective. Not only for the audience, but also for the dancers, who often became dizzy and unexpectedly fell. To be honest, it was mainly these moments that triggered wild applause and roaring laughter (RATATATATATATATA: An oversized wedge is sawn to shape by hand and now sticks out into the door frame -> tripping hazard). A shadow runs across the stage, I follow but backstage I lose track of it. And now? I neatly sweep up the dirt that has accumulated over a long period of time and dump everything overboard. I watch the ever-shrinking pile drifting away (glancing after it with a pseudo-sentimental expression).

The departure
On my next visit, I stand in the doorway by myself. I cross the room at an unrhythmic pace. I am alone in four rooms (it‘s so boring).

Text by Divided Studios

Photos by Leevi Toija