The work Lifeguard presents a complex dialogue between personal experience and social structures of power, control, and violence. Created as an artistic response to traumatic events and an exploration of the role of the lifeguard, this video piece not only addresses internal conflicts and turmoil but also deconstructs myths surrounding help and authority. Through irony and sarcasm, Ivana Ružić raises questions about the limits of honesty, false altruism, and mechanisms of manipulation, opening a space for critical reflection on the dynamics between victim and perpetrator in contemporary society.
Q: Could you describe how the work Lifeguard was created and what was the initial impulse behind its creation? Ask ChatGPT
The work Lifeguard was created during my return from the USA, with the creative process lasting throughout my final year. Lifeguard emerged from my own desire to “cleanse” and “heal” from the negative experiences I went through in America. Instead of addressing the problems and their consequences through psychotherapy or legal means, I decided to take matters into my own hands and confront the issue through my art. I have always dealt with my problems by constantly talking about them, and through the concept of Lifeguard, I told yet another story. The initial impulse arose during my stay in the USA when I experienced the consequences of my rebelliousness—specifically, when I was fired from my lifeguard job. This impulse intensified after experiencing violence from my partner, and upon returning home, it practically “exploded.” This initially led me to create an ironic Instagram reel about the Work and Travel experience, which, by all accounts, should have been wonderful (of course, the lie of social media). After that, I began working on the overall concept. The video work Lifeguard came from the desire to use metaphor to explain my internal state and the worries that tormented me regarding everything I had gone through.
Q: Šta te je inspirisalo da uzmeš upravo figuru spasioca kao centralni simbol?
I was inspired by the very word “lifeguard,” which literally means “guardian of life.” By chance, I met my own guardian of life, while at the same time, I was also one myself. When I lost my role as a lifeguard, I was completely left at the mercy of my guardian. It soon became clear that this guardian was a false protector. What else could a guardian of life be but a rescuer? A false rescuer who uses the role as a cover for violence, dominance, and control. Thus, the figure of the rescuer took center stage in my concept, woven throughout with irony and sarcasm.
IDENTITY AND ROLE
Q: In the text, you say: “I am me, at the same time I am also the guard (the tube).” Who are you in this work – the lifeguard, the drowned, the protector, or the observer?
In this work, I am everything. At the same time, I am the lifeguard, the drowned, the protector, and the observer. I am a symbol of everything that can happen in situations where someone needs saving. I could be just an observer who chooses to watch and do nothing; I could be the drowned who is struggling and will grab the first helping hand, no matter what kind of hand it is; or I could be the protector, the lifeguard. I identify most with the lifeguard because, at the end of the day, I was the one I needed and could rely on the most. The tube (the red object), on the other hand, is the “false protector” and a false helping hand—it takes on a masculine identity. It presents itself as a protector and everything a masculine identity is supposed to be, but here, its violent side prevails. This object literally—and metaphorically—gets in the way and drags down to the bottom.
Q: How do you see the difference between the lifeguard as a function and the lifeguard as an internal figure?
The lifeguard as a function is the most banal form of the word, while when we talk about the internal figure, we shift it to the word form “savior.” The lifeguard at the pool comes across as a symbol—somewhat superficial, or even a meme. The savior, on the other hand, carries a deeper meaning and truly scratches beneath the surface of the water that the lifeguard actually guards. The savior appears when we are at the bottom—the real bottom, not just the shallow pool surface, a meter and a half deep. The savior as an internal figure truly exists deep within every person, while the lifeguard remains somewhere near the surface. The lifeguard is often a false salvation, a function that exists for some greater benefit. The lifeguard as a function always expects some form of payment, whereas the savior is sincere and genuine. The lifeguard is there for themselves, their reputation, salary, higher position, or sense of power. The savior asks for nothing in return. The lifeguard knows how to cleverly present themselves as the savior, which is why the concept is called “Savior.” Ask ChatGPT
PERFORMANCE AND MOOD
Q: You say, “The performance actually depends on my mood.” How does your inner world influence your artistic practice?
This quote is a sarcastic response to a statement made by the company. It plays on words, translating from English to Serbian. Literally, it critiques the company’s remark directed at me after I said that the performance depends on my mood. What I want to convey is the fact that it is completely natural for one’s behavior at work and in everyday life to depend on their mood. No one will walk into the workplace smiling if they have just received bad news or simply woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Of course, we wouldn’t say it’s acceptable for someone in a bad mood to cause the death of guests at a pool or provoke a scene—that would be an extreme, which the company considered potentially possible. For that reason, I approached the issue sarcastically and imagined a reality where my mood is allowed to influence my performance. In art, I believe it is perfectly legitimate to be honest with our emotions and moods; therefore, it shouldn’t be surprising in the art world if an artist’s mood leads to a certain outcome in a performance. The answer is that my mood directs my practice, and my works come from my sincere reaction to the world.
Q: Is your mood a tool, an obstacle, or a field of resistance?
My mood in art is both a tool and a field of resistance. It is a tool because in everyday life it always creates that initial impulse which I later shape into my works. In daily life, one could say it is sometimes also an obstacle, but even that obstacle works in favor of my work, as it sparks my inspiration. Ask ChatGPT
BODY AND TRAUMA
Q: You mention a bite, a label, a scar. Where is the boundary between physical and symbolic violence? Ask ChatGPT
In my case, the boundary between physical and symbolic violence is not very clear. The scar from the bite is simultaneously a physical manifestation of violence and a symbol of a cycle of events that led to that violence. The bite is symbolic in nature because, by itself, it does not reflect violence unless it is amplified by digital tools. Also, it cannot serve as evidence of violence; it is simply a symbolic mark. It serves no other purpose than to poetically mark a period, possibly an era, of life. The only place I would draw the line is that physical violence is the trace left on my arm, while the bite’s intention is symbolic. According to my understanding and beliefs, I wouldn’t have a scar if the bite had been affectionate. Here, the physical and symbolic coexist with each other, and neither would have meaning without the other.
Q: Is there healing in documenting and recognizing these traces?
Healing definitely exists, although I believe it depends on the person’s character. For me, it is interesting to record, document, and present personal experiences. Someone else might not be able to confront things this way, but I personally want to talk about my problems. I documented the bite mark at the moment it happened with the intention of having evidence, but I was consciously aware that I was doing it because I also saw the potential for artistic work in such situations. My way of healing is through creating artworks, but healing was certainly not the primary goal of this entire concept.
LIFEGUARD AS A CRIMINAL Ask ChatGPT
Q: Who is the "lifeguard who is not a lifeguard"? Ask ChatGPT
The lifeguard who is not a lifeguard is exactly the one I mentioned in one of the previous questions. This is a lifeguard who saves for personal gain, a sense of power, or possession. It’s no coincidence that people say, “nothing is free.” This lifeguard will sooner or later charge a price for their “rescue.” In everyday life, when we trivialize it, it could be a friend, an acquaintance, a partner, a company, an authority figure, or even a parent. The lifeguard who is not a lifeguard is the one who “catches” us at our most vulnerable and presents themselves as support. This lifeguard is a narcissist. Someone who, for the sake of their reputation, goes against their morals but quickly breaks when you’re no longer in a vulnerable position. The lifeguard who is not a lifeguard is false hope and false care. They are everything that makes you open up and relax, but when they have your flaws and fears on display, they suddenly change their tune. Ask ChatGPT
Q: How does the figure of the one who is supposed to save you transform into the figure of the one who causes you harm?
The figure that is supposed to save you never truly existed. It is merely an illusion, to put it mildly—a mask. It has always been a figure that causes harm, but as I mentioned before, it presents itself as a savior who is not really a savior. It holds great power to overshadow and dominate an individual. The moment it takes control and is on its territory, it removes the mask and reveals what it essentially is — a figure that inflicts harm. Ask ChatGPT
CRITICISM AND IRONY
Q: There is a strong tone of irony and self-irony: burning laundry, surveillance, gaslighting. Is humor your way of coping?
Irony and self-irony exist because I play the game of the false lifeguard. I choose to confirm that I am crazy and to blame in order to sarcastically point out the problem of mistrust towards the victim. I imitate the gaslighting that false lifeguards inflict on the victim, as well as the victim syndrome known for justifying their false lifeguard. I myself have found myself in a situation where I was under the influence of gaslighting and justified my false lifeguard. Judging by that, I believe I use that language very skillfully. Ask ChatGPT
POWER, SURVEILLANCE, AND VOYEURISM
Q: "He would never spy on me, only monitor me." How do you address the themes of surveillance, control, and privacy?
I approach the topic in an ironic way. I sarcastically convey the message that we should accept surveillance, control, and the invasion of privacy as something normal. Again, I take on the role of the false savior and affirm him—not to support or protect him, but to portray the whole situation as something completely abnormal and absurd. I display the characteristics of a victim who justifies the abuser. That is exactly what the false savior wants.
Q: Is the camera a tool of protection, domination, or truth?
The camera can be both protection and truth. Its role is determined by the intention behind its use. Just as my lifeguard turned a naive object into a tool of abuse, anyone can use that same object for different purposes. I chose to use it for artistic purposes. As for truth, is it necessary for the camera to reveal the truth within someone’s private space? That’s a very ambiguous question. In my case, photographing the bite mark, the camera was desirable and necessary. On the other hand, a camera that monitors someone’s private or intimate life is an abusive use of the device. It becomes a form of domination, a source of power, and blackmail.
HONESTY AND MANIPULATION
Q: The text is full of contradictions: "I want to be a lifeguard" – "I can’t be a lifeguard" – "I save myself." Do you believe in a stable narrative?
The change of narrative is a reflection of my unstable state during the time I was going through everything. I was unable to determine whether I wanted to take control or let the lifeguard take control. It reflects my getting lost in chaos and my lack of trust in myself as the figure who should save. On the other hand, it is also a sarcastic approach to the role of the lifeguard, as well as to the role of the inner lifeguard. I neither want nor can be a lifeguard (as a function); it is just a provocative response to the experiences I lived through. Certainly, I always save myself, and I believe that everyone must first save themselves in order to even consider saving others. A lifeguard must learn to swim on their own in order to save drowning people.
Q: Can you explain the role of gaslighting and deliberate distortion of reality in your work?
As I have already mentioned, through gaslighting I take on the role of the false savior, as well as the role of the victim who justifies the actions of the false savior. In a sarcastic way, I point out the problem of distrust towards the savior’s victim. Ask ChatGPT
ART AS THERAPY ?
Q: Is this work for you a form of self-healing, testimony, revenge, or play?
The work for me is self-healing, a testimony of an era, and play — a form of relaxation. Revenge is not in the classical sense; I am not pointing fingers at any specific individual. This revenge takes the form of proving to all rescuers that their attempts to harm me only serve as an inexhaustible source of inspiration, growth, and the desire to improve and become more aware. It is not only personal but also takes on a universal form. I confront false rescuers with the question, “What now?” and show that they are the ones who harm themselves, while their targeted victim moves forward.
Q: Where does the personal end and the universal begin?
The personal ends when the story is told. The universal continues as I take on the roles of the false savior, the victim, and the true savior. These are situations and roles that anyone can find themselves in under certain circumstances. In this case, both the personal and the universal coexist within the entire concept, supporting each other. Ask ChatGPT
TERMINATION AND TRANSFORMATION
Q: "‘Termination opened the door to my lifeguard.’ What does losing the role of a lifeguard mean — both literally and symbolically?" Ask ChatGPT
The literal loss of the role signifies losing security, a sign that I am not competent to fulfill that role, and a signal that I must manage on my own. Symbolically, losing that role truly “opened the door” for my lifeguard. It helped him establish his ground. Symbolically, I lost the role and ability to save and manage myself. From that moment, my false lifeguard had all the predispositions to exploit my vulnerability at will. Essentially, the symbolic loss of the savior role represents the state when an individual is most vulnerable and helpless—like a drowning person who will grab any “helping hand” that happens to be in the right place at the right time. Help and care born from self-interest then step in and inevitably come with a price.
Q: Is there a new beginning after the dismissal?
A new beginning always exists, whether the dismissal is literal or symbolic. I believe that throughout life, many versions of ourselves “die” during different phases. While that’s not an excuse for every mistake we make, it’s up to us whether we continue building a new and better version of ourselves or cling to old habits and principles that led us to the “dismissal.” I see dismissal as something necessary to happen, so I could learn something new about myself or realize what’s holding me back. I always lean towards positive thinking and believe that most situations happen for a reason. Ask ChatGPT
If you could send one message to your inner lifeguard today, what would you say to them?
My inner lifeguard and I are one and the same, so I tell myself my motivational mantras every day and firmly believe in achieving my goals. The lifeguard isn’t only there when bad things happen — they’re also there when life is going well. I would say I speak to them every day with gratitude, and whenever I face a problem, I support them so we can move forward together, just as they support me. Ask ChatGPT
