Polina Stohnushko, Intervention WHERE THERE IS POWER, THERE IS RESISTANCE, 2023, Stockholm, Photo: Polina Stohnushko

Polina Stohnushko, Intervention WHERE THERE IS POWER, THERE IS RESISTANCE, 2023, Stockholm, Photo: Polina Stohnushko

WHERE THERE IS POWER, THERE IS RESISTANCE

Often passing through a bustling tunnel in Stockholm, frequented by both cyclists and pedestrians, I felt compelled to share a quote by Michel Foucault: "Where there is power, there is resistance." My intention was to inspire passers-by to reflect on various forms of personal and collective resistance. The confined nature of the tunnel ensured that the phrase could not be overlooked

In preparation for placing the tape on the tunnel surface, I spent five hours cleaning away the dust. This effort was met with numerous acknowledgments from passers-by, who appreciated my contribution to the city's cleanliness. During this time, I also engaged with several teenagers who were concerned I might have removed their graffiti. These interactions are among my favorite aspects of such interventions, as they allow me to connect with diverse individuals, learn their perspectives, and talk about the idea of city space as a platform for communication

While writing the phrase, I wore an orange vest, which often lends an air of legitimacy to my otherwise unauthorized actions. Passers-by frequently asked, "Do you work here?" and upon my affirmative response, they would thank me for my work. The city space of Stockholm, like the rest of Sweden, is heavily patrolled and sanitized, with a high level of intolerance for graffiti and public art. Despite this, it is ironic that the phrase remains on the tunnel walls to this day. It is constantly being cared for by city workers who clean it from the graffiti written on top of it

130 cm x 4000 cm, tape on tiles 

Polina Stohnushko, Intervention WHERE THERE IS POWER, THERE IS RESISTANCE, 2023, Stockholm, Video: Jenna Jauhiainen

Polina Stohnushko, Intervention WHERE THERE IS POWER, THERE IS RESISTANCE, 2023, Stockholm, Video: Elisabeth Brun

Polina Stohnushko, Intervention WHERE THERE IS POWER, THERE IS RESISTANCE, 2023, Stockholm, Video: Elisabeth Brun

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LIGHT WILL WIN OVER DARKNESS