{"id":7917,"date":"2024-08-26T12:49:54","date_gmt":"2024-08-26T11:49:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.akarpowicz.co.uk\/?p=7917"},"modified":"2024-09-14T12:46:54","modified_gmt":"2024-09-14T11:46:54","slug":"lungs-for-sale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.akarpowicz.co.uk\/?p=7917","title":{"rendered":"Lungs for Sale"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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‘Lungs for Sale’ (11’28”) is a video that documents the convergence of two distinct timelines of anxiety; the existential threat of extraordinary global events and the unraveling of Karpowicz\u2019s own mental and physical health. After a lifelong struggle with an undiagnosed lung condition, the breaking news of the pandemic struck powerfully into Karpowicz\u2019s psyche. Not only were her conscious thoughts bombarded by the daily onslaught of horrific imagery, the sense of dread permeated her dreams. One of those dreams, in which she attempted to purchase a new set of lungs, instigated a cascade of uncomfortable revelations about the structure of society and the artist’s own position within it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Utilising this dream as an access point, Karpowicz explores the confluence of tensions that define our fraught socio-political landscape. Intertwining her own fear and confusion with a parallel onslaught of disturbing news from around the world, Karpowicz endeavours to articulate the vulnerability of the individual as they attempt to comprehend and adjust to radical change. ‘Lungs for Sale’ explores the dystopian reality exposed by the pandemic and the dangerous consequences of industrialised societies fuelled by hatred, fear and greed. A reality where universal experiences of disempowerment and disenfranchisement have led to the destruction of democracy and looming environmental disaster. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Whilst 2020 brought humanity\u2019s desperate situation into sharp focus, the threats posed by poverty, inequality, unregulated capitalism, abuse of power, destruction of democracy, lack of universal healthcare and climate change are perennial. These problems were already part of our daily lives but the pandemic has made facing our collective challenges more pressing than ever before. We are at a decisive moment for our existence; will we respond effectively to the horror laid bare, or will we attempt to forge a \u201cnew normal\u201d that isn\u2019t that much different for those already suffering? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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‘Lungs for Sale’ is a continuation of Karpowicz\u2019s exploration of the potential to formulate a New Human Identity as a response to the dissolution of the foundational myths and institutions upon which our culture is predicated. The global problems we face require global solutions. They can be found only through solidarity and empathy. However, are we ready to see ourselves as allies not enemies?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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