Arbajt

“Arbajt” was made in a complex of ruined paper factory named “Grafokarton” in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia.

The factory stopped its production in the early 2000s, which was a result of privatization during the postwar period in Croatia. Since then, a huge factory space was devastated, occupied by homeless people, was forgotten and by the years passing, it became just another representation of disappearing spaces in our capital Zagreb.

It’s ironic that as artists of different artistic fields in Croatia, we found this ruined and forgotten factory together with its history, as the most approachable and possible working and performing space in our city. Even though it was not safe and comfortable to work there, we could feel the connection and similarity with our position as artists in our own country – forgotten and left to just exist. The silence, majesty, and history of this place were scary and inspiring at the same time. The main question and starting point in creating “Arbajt” were how to place a dance and performing body within a space or environment that is historically and visually so specific and does not seem to meet the needs required by the dance performance.