Roles have turned
oryginal tittle: “Role się odwróciły”
Polana Włosienica, 2019
Collaboration with Viva! Foundation
Photo:
Anna Płaszczyk (Fundacja Viva! / Viva Foundation)
Sculpture:
Impulse (2016)
Epoksy resin, coffee grounds. Own technique
225 x 175 x 68 cm
„Roles Have Turner” is a moving artistic gesture that shifts the perspective on myje exploration of horses in tourism, drawing attention to their suffering.
In August 2019, artist Ida Karkoszka, in collaboration with Anna Plaszczyk from Viva! Foundation, carried out a powerful action to highlight the issue of horse exploitation in the popular tourist route leading to Morskie Oko in the Tatra Mountains. This action aimed to raise awareness about the harsh working conditions that horses face, often pulling heavy carriages full of tourists along the challenging path.
The central element of the action was the symbolic dragging of a sculpture of a dying horse, created by Karkoszka herself. This life-size sculpture, named “Impulse”, was made from epoxy resin and coffee grounds, weighed around 100 kg. The piece was meant to represent the suffering of the animals subjected to this grueling labor. Ida Karkoszka and Anna Plaszczyk began their journey at the parking lot in Palenica Białczańska, continuing through the forested path and finally stopping at Polana Włosienica, a popular rest area where horse-drawn carriages carrying tourists usually pause.
Along the way, tourists helped pull the sculpture. Many were eager to get involved, with some even stopping to engage in deep discussions about the ethical implications of using horses in this way.
This is an action that not only evokes strong emotions but also forces us to reflect on the ethical implications of using animals for tourism purposes.
During their journey, tourists along the route were invited to help pull the sculpture. Many were eager to get involved, with some even stopping to engage in deep discussions about the ethical implications of using horses in this way. This collective participation not only amplified the message of the action but also turned the spotlight on the necessity of reconsidering the treatment of animals in tourism.
Ida Karkoszka is known for addressing topics such as animal rights, ecology, and the destructive impacts of human activity through her art. For her, art is not only a medium for self-expression but also a means of provoking reflection and change in society. The “Roles Have Turned” action effectively sparked conversations among participants and observers, urging them to reconsider the ethical issues surrounding the exploitation of animals for human entertainment and tourism. It’s a call for awareness and responsibility towards the well-being of animals that often go unnoticed in the pursuit of leisure and convenience.
This action is an example of how art can move beyond galleries and museums, becoming a catalyst for change in the real world, encouraging us to question the way we treat animals and the environment around us.
SCULPTURE 
Impulse
(2016)
225 x 175 x 68 cm
Epoksy resin, coffee grounds. Own technique