Dancing with diversity and surreal sculptures
From 2016 to 2019, Alexandra Holownia’s career blossomed with a series of performances at prestigious festivals in Europe and the United States. Her participation in events in Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Miami and Cyprus was highlighted by her unique piece “Alexandra Fly Dance”. This performance invited audience members to interact with his sculptures and costumes, immersing themselves in a direct and participatory experience. Through this piece, Holownia aimed to promote tolerance towards diversity and break taboos surrounding the human body. Reflecting on her travels, she noticed the open-mindedness of audiences in places like Miami, the Netherlands and Cyprus, where spectators enthusiastically engaged in her costumes, transforming the show into a collaborative experience.
Holownia was also admired by English audiences, particularly for her spirit and willingness to embrace boundary-pushing art. The interactive costumes used in Alexandra Fly Dance come from her early work on Ulysses and were designed not only for visual impact, but also for direct audience engagement. This idea of incorporating costumes as sculptures was revolutionary at the time, as it invited the public to wear and interact with his creations. By merging art and audience, Holownia transcended traditional boundaries, fostering an environment in which participants were not just observers but contributors to the fluid and evolving narrative of the performance.
His move away from traditional sculptural materials such as stone and metal toward softer, more flexible fabrics was a defining characteristic of his work. These light, touchable materials could be shaped, worn and manipulated, enabling the creation of surreal characters that challenged perceptions of identity and form. Alexandra Fly Dance’s music added another layer of complexity; Initially, Holownia collaborated with Polish composer Bogdan Mizerski, whose Dadaist compositions reflected the abstract nature of his performance. In 2019, she joined forces with French composer Anne Germanique, whose experimental sound art perfectly complements the avant-garde energy of Holownia’s pieces. Occasionally, German guitarist Ernst Joachim Cziesla would also join her, adding a dynamic musical element to her performances.
Costume design remains at the heart of Holownia’s work, as she meticulously crafts each piece to match her artistic vision. Her costumes and props are an integral part of the stories she presents, each choice of stitch and fabric contributing to the depth and meaning of her performances. Holownia’s creations are more than just visual spectacles: they serve as supports for her themes, reinforcing the provocative and thought-provoking nature of her art. By controlling every aspect of the visual and performative experience, she ensures that her work is a holistic reflection of her bold and flawless artistic statements.
