The Fossils and Gardens project consists of three public space installations in Brussels. Leading Polish artists Julita Wójcik, Maurycy Gomulicki and Dominik Lejman have been invited to take part in the project, which is based on creating separate narratives which all ultimately relate to the notion of a united Europe and draw on common traditions
The presentation is intended to go beyond the popular stereotypes of Poland and Poles, highlighting the better sides of the Polish character - a cutting sense of humour, practical impracticality, a tendency towards self-deprecation and, against all odds, openness and optimism.
- Julita Wójcik - "The Rainbow"
Julita Wójcik's "The Rainbow" will fill the Esplanade of the European Parliament. The project was initiated in late July in the Polish seaside resort of Sopot as part of the Sopot Makes Art for The City of Brussels. She refers to the long-standing universal traditions and positive connotations of flowers and rainbows - the promise of a new era, progress, unity and peace. Today it continues to be a symbol of tolerance and a bright future.
Also see a video of Wójcik talking about "The Rainbow"
Julita Wójcik was born in 1971 in Gdańsk - a performer, author of art interventions and diving enthusiast. She lives and works in Gdańsk. In the years 1991-1997 studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk, Faculty of Sculpture. By incorporating everyday activities in her projects she questions the boundaries between the spheres of life and art.
Maurycy Gomulicki - "Specter: Romantic Post-Vandalism"
Gomulicki's project is located in a condemned office building from the 1970s situated to the rear of the Place du Congres. By removing some of the glass panes from the front of the building, "Phantom: Romantic Post-Vandalism" creates a pixel image resembling the Bauhaus logo – a symbol directly connected to modern architecture and significant for contemporary culture. The artist intends for this symbol to remain on the façade until the building is demolished, serving as an intriguing, permanent installation in the public space.
On the 17th of September Maurycy Gomulicki launched his Romantic Vandalism project in the defunct La Cite Administrative de l'Etat building, located near the Place du Congres in the European capital. The building stands on an elevated stretch of street, making it visible to passersby. A great number of spectators and news reporters were in attendance at the action that involved the artist and a team of construction workers knocking out 80 windows in the building in order to create the Bauhaus-inspired pattern. The installation will remain on-site through the 30th of November.
Gomulicki works in a 'post-vandalism style' - a popular artistic strategy for working with public space with the intention of changing the aesthetic awareness of people living in a given city. In this case, Gomulicki works in Brussels - the city of blooming diplomacy, but the building in questions is almost a copy of an office building from the communist era in Poland. Paradoxically, the act of destruction brings to light and emphasises the important features of the architecture - the regular series of windows brings to mind the contemporary style of early computers.
See more from Maurycy Gomulicki on his latest project at Culture.pl and tvbrussel.be
Dominik Lejman - "Double Layer"
Dominik Lejman's project consists of a projection in the European Parliament building. Video frescos are projected onto the floors and walls, showcasing footage from CCTV cameras in urban agglomerations of the EU. Light projections of people walking the streets of European capitals will gradually layer over one another until they form a dense, abstract image.
All three works offer viewers a multitude of concepts and are projects that take into consideration the characteristic of each specific site and are meant to stimulate a dialogue between the city and its inhabitants.
Also see a video of Lejman talking about his "Double Layer"
Curator: Monika Szewczyk
Coordinator: Omgeving
Exhibition dates:
Maurycy Gomulicki - 17th of September - 30th of November, 2011
Julita Wójcik - 24th of September - 2nd of December, 2011
Dominik Lejman - 28th of November - 2nd of December, 2011
Installations take place at the European Parliament building and other venues around the city
Organisers: Adam Mickiewicz Institute, Polish Cultural Institute in Brussels