OIKO PETERSEN







There’s a song by Petula Clark titled “Downtown”, whose lyric perfectly reflects the purpose behind this project. (...) “Downtown we can forget all our troubles, forget all our cares [...] so go Downtown.” By way of this project I would also like to invite you all on a trip Downtown. (...) We may discover an internal world which is surprising, funny and touching, (...) full of colours, lights, incredible and zany ideas, dance, music and amazing adventures.


Oiko Petersen | artist |


Oiko Petersen keeps on pushing the limits. After Polish gays, he is now tackling the topic of Down syndrome. It may sound scandalous and incredible, but there is a deeper meaning in this. The artist continues to deal with the problem of social exclusion and marginalization. (...) In his unique style, Petersen does not try to present us with fake normality, feigned solemnity or forced compassion. Rather, he points out the peculiar originality and, what is perhaps most difficult, he presents the distinctive sex appeal of people with Down syndrome, the inaccessibility of their world to us, the ordinary ones.


Adam Mazur Ph.D. | curator | Centre for Contemporary Art at Ujazdowski Castle, Warsaw


Rarely can we see an artistic vision of mental disability that does not attempt to convey any educational message. Depictions of the handicapped usually serve as teaching aids helping the rest of the society feel better. The project by Oiko Petersen is something extraordinary in this respect. It does not contain even a trace of educational function. Models shown in his pictures are independent, they do not serve any particular purpose or exemplify anything. Down syndrome can be really beautiful and colourful. (...)


Professor ElĆŒbieta Zakrzewska-Manterys | Senior Lecturer | Institute of Applied Social Sciences, University of Warsaw



 
http://oikopetersen.com/files/gimgs/th-52_adam.jpg

Adam
Costume Design: Michal Szulc; Make-up: Gosia Sulima; Production: Agnieszka CzerwiƄska

 
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Ania
Costume Design: Teresa Seda; Make-up: Gosia Sulima; Hair: Konrad Klos; Production: Agnieszka CzerwiƄska

 
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http://oikopetersen.com/files/gimgs/th-52_cela.jpg

Cela
Costume Design: Patrycja Smirnow; Make-up: Gosia Sulima; Hair: Slawek Oszajca; Production: Agnieszka CzerwiƄska

 
http://oikopetersen.com/files/gimgs/th-52_cela_v2.jpg
 
 
http://oikopetersen.com/files/gimgs/th-52_daniel1.jpg

Daniel K.
Costume Design: Gosia Knopik; Make-up: Gosia Sulima; Hair: Slawek Oszajca; Production: Agnieszka CzerwiƄska

 
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Daniel J.
Costume Design: Dominika Bulaczynska; Make-up: Gosia Sulima; Hair: Konrad Klos; Production: Agnieszka CzerwiƄska

 
http://oikopetersen.com/files/gimgs/th-52_daniel_j.jpg
 
 
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Ewa
Costume Design: Natalia Jaroszewska; Make-up: Gosia Sulima; Hair: Slawek Oszajca; Production: Agnieszka CzerwiƄska

 
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http://oikopetersen.com/files/gimgs/th-52_ewelina.jpg

Ewelina
Costume Design: Martyna CzerwiƄska; Make-up: Gosia Sulima; Hair: Slawek Oszajca; Production: Agnieszka CzerwiƄska

 
http://oikopetersen.com/files/gimgs/th-52_ewelina_v2.jpg
 
 
http://oikopetersen.com/files/gimgs/th-52_jula.jpg

Jula
Costume Design: Ewa Morka; Make-up: Gosia Sulima; Hair: Slawek Oszajca; Production: Agnieszka CzerwiƄska

 
http://oikopetersen.com/files/gimgs/th-52_julita.jpg
 
 
http://oikopetersen.com/files/gimgs/th-52_kuba.jpg

Kuba
Costume Design: Emilia Korycka; Make-up: Gosia Sulima; Production: Agnieszka CzerwiƄska

 
http://oikopetersen.com/files/gimgs/th-52_kuba_v2.jpg
 
 
http://oikopetersen.com/files/gimgs/th-52_magda.jpg

Magda
Costume Design: Marta RowiƄska; Make-up: Gosia Sulima; Hair: Slawek Oszajca; Production: Agnieszka CzerwiƄska

 
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Michal
Costume Design: Konrad Parol; Make-up: Gosia Sulima; Production: Agnieszka CzerwiƄska

 
http://oikopetersen.com/files/gimgs/th-52_michal_v2.jpg
 
 
http://oikopetersen.com/files/gimgs/th-52_natalia.jpg

Natalia
Costume Design: Monika Jakubiak & Natalia; Make-up: Gosia Sulima; Hair: Slawek Oszajca; Production: Agnieszka CzerwiƄska

 
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Ola
Costume Design: Viola Spiechowicz; Make-up: Gosia Sulima; Hair: Slawek Oszajca; Production: Agnieszka CzerwiƄska

 
http://oikopetersen.com/files/gimgs/th-52_ola_v2.jpg