This project consists of a large number of hand-written letters mailed to Czechs with the last name of Havel, Poles with the last name Wałesa & Jaruzelski, & Romanians with the last name Ceausescu. Lech Wałesa, Wojciech Jaruzelski, Václav Havel, and Nicolae Ceausescu were each pivotal figures in the anti-communist revolutions that took place in their country--some perceived as evil, others heroic. These strangers were chosen because of their specialized position in the events of 1989. Their name alone makes them ultra-sensitive to the activities, both as insiders and outsiders, and puts them in a situation of false privilege-for better or for worse. Each letter consists of the following, in the recipient’s native language:
Dear Mr./Ms. ___, I am an art student in America and I am currently working on a project about people who have the same surname as important figures in their country’s history. I have a few questions and I would be very grateful if you could help me by answering them. Thank you very much for your time and participation!
Please only answer the questions you feel comfortable with: What are your feelings about the revolution of 1989? Have your feelings changed over time? Can you please recount a vivid memory from the revolution? Did the public see you differently in 1989, and did this affect you in a positive or negative way? Are you still affected by this today? Can you give an example? Do you feel as if you had a special point of view about the revolution? Do you feel as if part of ___’s image was projected onto you? (Do you feel people treated you as they would treat ___?) Can you give an example? Do you feel a particular kinship or hatred towards ___? Do you feel any ownership in the events of 1989? Do you feel like your life became more public during 1989? If so, what privacy was taken away? Do you feel like you became a part of what ___ symbolized? Is there anything else you would like to share?
Return contact information is also included in each envelope. Before being sent each letter & envelope is scanned & archived.
Upon return, each response is archived, scanned, and then forwarded to another participant with the same last name (regardless of wether or not this person has sent a return.) This time the option is given for the new recipient to do whatever they chose with the original response. It is offered, however, that they in turn respond to it, and send it to me. After again scanning & archiving, it will be forward on again.
This project & discussion will continue to evolve as long as participants are willing.
+ WITH THANKS +
Many thanks to Piotr Szyhalski, Ivona Sandru, Kitty Aal, and Vlad Dima for their help & translations.
