LUNDIUS COMMEDIA DELL'ARTEANDRZEJ PLOSKISVEN-OLOF OCH PAPOU YANG15.12.1977

PRESS VIEWING WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1977, AT 11:00 AM

PRESS RELEASE

Galerie S:t Petri reopens!

After more than eight months of closure, the experimental idea laboratory Galerie S:t Petri in Lund will reopen on December 15, 1977. This reopening comes as a protest against serious attempts from the Social Democratic side to suppress freedom of expression within the arts.

Galerie S:t Petri had previously ended its five-and-a-half-year operation on April 6 of this year because the City of Lund considered its organizational structure did not meet the legal requirements for receiving municipal support. Although the formal obstacles were eventually removed, political resistance from the Social Democrats remained. They appealed to party discipline and loyalty, claiming that this non-commercial and non-institutional activity hardly appealed to the party’s regular voters. Above all, they felt their own groups must be protected.

Galerie S:t Petri regrets being forced into a political situation. The gallery has always defended its political and religious independence. Nevertheless, no repressive stance—whether from the right or the left—can be accepted.

LUNDADA BANK

To secure the future of its experimental activities, Galerie S:t Petri is today, December 15, founding its own LUNDADA BANK (not recognized by civil or military authorities). The bank’s director is Jean Sellem, with honorary member Andrzej Płoski.

Throughout the years, Galerie S:t Petri has often used fables and parables to describe different phases of its surroundings. Previous exhibitions have dealt with the wolf, the sheep, and the internationally acclaimed donkey shown in the gallery. The new LUNDADA BANK has now printed and will sell its own “banknotes” for the benefit of Galerie S:t Petri. The reindeer — a typically Swedish animal — appears on the note. So far, the only other species to appear in this capacity is the ten-spot ladybird. However, the bank’s board will meet this evening to decide whether other species may be considered in the future.

LUNDIUS Commedia dell’arte

Simultaneously with the opening of the LUNDADA BANK, an intriguing comedy titled LUNDIUS Commedia dell’arte will be performed at Galerie S:t Petri. The play begins on December 15 at 3 p.m. and will continue for an indefinite number of weeks. Behind the play are Andrzej Płoski (drawings), Jean Sellem (narration), and other contributors.

Andrzej Płoski, from Poland, came to Sweden two years ago. During this time, he has found it nearly as difficult as Galerie S:t Petri to exist artistically. In the meantime, he has turned to tulip picking.

In LUNDIUS Commedia dell’arte, Andrzej Płoski’s alter ego, Sven-Olof, follows the strange adventures of the planet LUNDIUS. Płoski’s drawings depict bizarre experiences of this peculiar being on that planet — and in the surrounding landscapes of Skåne.