Unite and unite, and let us all unite,
For summer is a-comen today.
And whither we are going we all will unite,
In the merry morning of May.
Summer has completely come today is Liliana Zeic’s seven-day-long performative action and intervention in public space, held as part of the Artifake: Art Invades Fake project carried out by the Art Transparent Foundation.
The transformation of Iglica [the Needle] into a peculiar maypole becomes the core of a series of rituals dedicated to women and non-binary people affected by fake news, deliberate disinformation and propaganda. In Zeic’s project, Iglica will act as the axis mundi – the world axis connecting the terrestrial and heavenly planes, becoming the focal point of rituals conducted from various places in Europe for the intention of specific persons.
The tallest monument in Wrocław will act as a transmitter sending out caringattention and tenderness to people affected by media lies. Every day at sunset, the artist will lead the ritual and connect with the invited authors of the intention. They will share fragments of their creative work as home intentions dedicated to people who were targeted with lies. By referring to traditional rituals dating back to pre-Christian times and animistic beliefs, Zeic will add another chapter to the complex history of Iglica, which had carried flags that manifested freedom and the fight for the rights of various nations.
While the traditional maypole signified the arrival of the warm harvest season, the seemingly erroneous title Summer Has Completely Come Today refers to excess and overheating – of both information and climate. Zeic combines the magical symbolism of the maypole with recent and true stories of people in a ritual action based on simultaneous transmission of radical care and digital data. Dedicated intentions – assuming various forms, such as dancing, singing, breathing, poetry, or incensing – emphasise the healing potential of attentive contact with another person, especially those affected by anonymous slander from many sides.
First, the object of the ritual must be chosen. The object of the ritual is lie.
Then the perpetrator of the ritual must be chosen. The perpetrator of the ritual is Iglica.
And then a song can be sung, so that it is remembered forever.
