Michał Jankowski, "The Astronaut"
"The Naughty Children of Alfred Jarry" sparked anew the absurdist vision of art over the Art Weekend event in October
"Contemporary Artists go in Search of Poland" is a new project that seeks to redefine the perception of tradition and national identity, through the works of contemporary Polish artists, such as Jan Dziaczkowski, Michał Jankowski, Dorota Kozieradzka, Tomasz Kozak, Michał Szuszkiewicz and Robert Kuśmirowski. The show is themed "The Naughty Children of Alfred Jarry", which originates from the setting of Jarry's "Ubu Roi". The absurdist play takes place "in Poland, that is to say Nowhere", referring to Poland's disappearance from political maps of Europe for over a century. For Jarry, the concept of an 'invisible' country as Europe became a universal vehicle for exploring other vital issues. Poland became a metaphorical figure, a field on which the writer unmasks despotism, arrogance and the consequences of change.
The artists participating in the project in Berlin's artsy Wedding district aim to redefine the perception of tradition and national identity, using works of contemporary Polish artists. Identity is reinterpreted in an ironic way, often using pastiche to create a surreal atmosphere of strangeness and unreality.
The exhibition was accompanied by screening of Piotr Szulkin's film adaptation of "Ubu Roi" (2003) on the 30th of October at 4:00 pm and a discussion with the curators on the state of contemporary Polish art on the 5th of November at 4:00 pm.
Artists: Jan Dziaczkowski, Michał Jankowski, Dorota Kozieradzka, Tomasz Kozak, Michał Szuszkiewicz, Robert Kuśmirowski
Curators: Katarzyna Szydłowska, Konrad Schiller
The show has been put together in cooperation with the Polish Culture Foundation. The Foundation's purpose is to promote the achievements of outstanding Polish artists and present contemporary Polish artists in Poland and abroad. The Foundation lends support to young designers and artists, also acting as a liaison between Polish culture and global institutions. The show takes place at the Story Hotel Gallery, located in the Wedding Colonie district of galleries and studios during the Art Weekend event when galleries are open until late and accompanied by a number of special events.
Date: Private view on the 28th October 2011 from 6.30 pm, Show opens to the public on the 29th of October through 20th November 2011
Venue: Story Hotel Gallery, Wriezener Strasse 12, 13359 Berlin
Organisers: Stary Hotel, Polish Culture Foundation
Project cofinanced by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland
Source: Adam Mickiewicz Insitute