Several fragments of the Magna Carta, specifically those addressing the right to free movement, were jumbled and slightly rewritten. This text was then translated into multiple languages, representing both the populations that have traditionally inhabited the region where I live (Timiș County, Romania) and those that have recently arrived through migration. These translated texts had to be memorized by an actor (Nana Balint) within a maximum of one hour. The exercise reached completion only in Romanian and English.
This inventory seeks to emphasize that language is not only, at times, a barrier but can also function as a tool of oppression, especially when it is used to articulate rights concerning personal integrity.
As an incomplete and ever-changing video inventory, this work stands as a fragment of a larger issue: how and when we restrict or facilitate access to knowledge, particularly when that knowledge may be vital for survival.
Video available on request
This project would not have been possible without the help and support of many friends, collaborators, and colleagues, to whom I would like to express my deepest gratitude:
Aafrin Yaseen, Ornela Alia, Lucian Barbu, Teodora Barbu, Bianca Băilă, Bianca Băjenaru, George Balint, Nana Balint, Rose Marie Barrientos, Clara Bauer, Dorian Bolca, Mimi Ciora, Alessandra Domuța, Adnan Daher, Florin Fâra, Araik Ghegamian, Andreea Ioniță, Ana Kun, Pavle Mijuca, Odyssefs Maximos Papantoniou, Alin Rotaru, Jane Rozbitskaya, Rareș Rusan, Sergiu Sas, Ilior Spătar, Teodora Talhoș, Svetelina Angelova, Erik, Maria Szucsik și Mihai Pînzaru.
This artistic creation was made possible through funding from Energie! Burse de creație, awarded by the Municipality of Timișoara through the Center of Projects. The work does not necessarily represent the position of the Center for Projects of the Timișoara Municipality, which is not responsible for its content or how it may be used.