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An Artistic Experiment on Curiosity and Empathy

Can we stop for a moment and ask ourselves: Who am I, really?
Are we ready to dive into our emotions, to examine what we’re going through, and seek the answers to why?
Can we look at another human being with genuine interest—without judgment—trying to understand their entire story?

“The First Step to Hell” confronts these questions, creating a space where curiosity becomes a tool for discovering ourselves and others.

This project explores the delicate relationship between curiosity and empathy.
It shows that curiosity is not just a fleeting interest—it’s a deep need to understand: ourselves, those around us, and the world we live in.
Do we dare to ask: What am I feeling? Why am I feeling this way? What is the person next to me feeling?
Can we follow the path of thoughts and emotions that lead us to the decisions, relationships, and lives we create?

“The First Step to Hell” is an artistic experiment that blends dance, word, music, photography, and other forms of expression to force a pause in the rush of life.
It becomes a mirror in which each viewer may glimpse themselves.
It’s a space of questions, reflection, and confrontation with the self.
A call to awaken authentic curiosity—so often lost in our busy, over-scheduled lives.

This project touches the core of what is essential, yet most often hidden:

• Do we truly know ourselves?

• Can we understand others without judging them?

• Do we have the courage to look deeper, beyond appearances?

The goal of the project is to move the audience and provoke deep reflection—on one’s own self and on the world around us.
It seeks to awaken self-worth through the acceptance of our emotions, and to teach authentic listening—to ourselves and to others.

This performative experiment also speaks of courage—
the courage to be curious, to ask hard questions, and to face answers that might be uncomfortable.
It’s a step toward mindfulness, toward seeing beauty where once we saw only chaos.

The project is realized by the Jesteś Wszystko Contemporary Artists Cooperative Foundation, based on three pillars:

• honesty,

• non-judgment,

• support.

The foundation creates artistic and educational projects that cultivate space for courage, reflection, and true expression.
Its mission is to encourage people to explore their authenticity and open up to others.

“The First Step to Hell” is not just art.
It is an invitation to a profound experience.
To rediscover yourself.
To discover the other.
To ask the question:

Am I curious enough to touch the truth?

The project is open to everyone brave enough to ask and to listen.

Participation guidelines:

• No judging yourself or other participants

• Wearing a blindfold during one of the scenes – to deepen the immersive experience

Age restriction: None
Duration: 60 minutes

Performance dates:

• 29 June 2025 – Polish Dance Theatre, Poznań

• 4 July 2025 – Zbąszyń Cultural Center, Zbąszyń

Creators and Production:

Concept & Direction: Kaspian Jakub Rezler
Choreography: Paulina Graczyńska
Dramaturgy: Katia Shahoika
Music: Filip Kluz
Video Art: Katia Shahoika
Costumes: Paulina Graczyńska, Katia Shahoika, Kaspian Jakub Rezler
Photography: Ewelina Jaśkowiak

Performing Artists:

Agnieszka Gradomska, Paulina Garczyńska, Małgorzata Goczewska, Dawid Guszczak, Ewelina Jaśkowiak, Weronika Kętmna, Oliwia Klimenko, Anna Nowak, Ola Nowicka, Szymon Obolewicz, Gabriela Puszczykowska, Kaspian Jakub Edmund Rezler, Katia Shahoika, Zofia Wasylczuk

Support the project – every penny counts 💛:

🔸 Become our Patron on Patronite
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