Based on her own experience with anti-harassment procedures in the institution, during her lecture Relationality, situatedness, and sensibility on November 20 Una Bauer spoke about the obstacles facing attempts to eradicate violent practices, but also about the potential directions of change “towards a better tomorrow”. Artist Antonela Šurbek reported on the lecture through a series of illustrations.
“Una Bauer lecture started with a cup of hot coffee. It’s Monday afternoon, after all.”
“Una Bauer, theatrologist focusing on dance, experimental performative practices, theories of affect, networked publics, death studies and crime fiction, presented ongoing social topic.”
“All the spotlights were aimed directly at her, same as in the interview she mentions. ‘What the interviewed person wants to say in their own words, within their own frame of reference, and not testing preconceived hypotheses’.”
“In 2021, the former dean of the Academy of Dramatic Art established a Committee for conducting internal investigation procedures based on reports for sexual harassment, abuse, violation of the principle of gender equality and related forms of discrimination and harassment within the Academy of Dramatic Art in Zagreb.
“It is allowed to communicate the information gathered during the proceedings only towards the parties involved, responsible persons of the Academy, and government authorities if needed.”
“‘Subpoena to persons of interest, which includes the employee against whom the report has been filed, is delivered by mail with a return receipt.’ This approach makes the reporting process profoundly difficult since it sometimes takes more than a month.”
“Oh, but it wasn’t like that, it just turned out wrong.”
“When was that anyway?”
“One can’t even straighten a shirt in public.”
“Defense by imprecise verbalisation.
- it can mean this or that
- that seemed like this or that
Through this lecture, Una Bauer attempted to demonstrate why it’s so difficult to induce certain changes and why we should insist on them.”