2025
duration: 6 min. 20 sec.
text and direction: Bogna Burska
collaboration: Daniel Kotowski
cinematography: Magda Mosiewicz

In the video Breathe, Bogna Burska reverses the hierarchy of communication and, consequently, the social hierarchy. Together with Daniel Kotowski, who communicates in sign language, the hearing artist immerses herself in seawater and attempts to have a conversation. Underwater, the artist’s spoken language becomes incomprehensible, while sign language retains its full communicative effectiveness.

The dialogue refers to Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale The Little Mermaid. Taking on the role of the mermaid, Bogna Burska demands the return of her voice, while declaring her willingness to give up her legs in exchange for her old mermaid tail. Daniel Kotowski, stepping into the role of Ursula, refuses, reminding her that the transaction had been entered into voluntarily.

The scene takes place in the waters of Puck Bay on the Baltic Sea, a place very close to the artist’s heart.