Since the jubilee 10th edition of the Passports in 2002, special awards are also handed to Creators of Culture (Kreator Kultury). Nominees were announced weekly between November 17 - December 20, 2010. Laureates of the 2010 Passports are to be announced during the ceremonial gala held on January 18, 2011 at the Grand Theatre in Warsaw.
Nominees in all categories
Literature
The jury released the following statement following the final announcement of nominees in the literature category:
This year was a rich one for literature, especially as compared to the previous one. Given that not all critics were reading the same books, there were gaps in the number of votes. There were fewer spectacular debuts, but certainly a larger number of successful books by known writers. The three contenders in this year's literature category are very interesting choices. They are all in their thirties and each of their new releases has proven a great surprise. They also share the choice of heavy themes: religion, death and Polish identity. Those three books are very audacious…
Justyna Sobolewska
- Nominees:
Justyna Bargielska (poet, born in 1977) - nominated for the Prose Debut for Obsoletki / Obsoletes, Czarne editions. This humble little book definitely caught me by surprise. In short stores reminiscent of the work of Roland Topor or Henri Michaux, Bargielska travels fluidly between trauma and sarcasm, tragedy and self-irony, tenderness and macabre, nightmare and raw reality. Exquisite language sensibility and reflective potential about feminity and motherhood not necessarily against stereotypes, but more accurately outside any pre-existing schemes.
Piotr Kofta
Bargielska the prose writer is just as agile (if not even more) as Bargielska the poet. It is a tricky thing to tell about something we would most certainly not want to know about... And on top of that, do it with grim humour, solemn seriousness and exuberant passion.
Grzegorz Jankowicz
Ignacy Karpowicz (novelist, English, Spanish and Amharic translator, traveller - born in 1976) - nominated for the novel Balladyny i romanse/ Balladynas and Romances, published by Wydawnictwo Literackie. Balladyny i romanse fulfill my imaginary concept of the Twenty-First Century novel: combining avant-garde form with a multidirectional reflection about the condition of the contemporary human being. All of this comes with exceptionally faithful language, exquisite composition, tragic-comical tone, without ever slowing down the reading. On the contrary: it is a one shot read. And you think about this book for months. A masterpiece!
Marta Mizuro
Tomasz Piątek (writer, born in 1974) - for Wąż w kaplicy / A Snake in the Chapel, published by W.A.B. I must admit that Tomasz Piątek surprised me a lot. I didn't expect that a writer of my age was able to generate such and interesting and insightful story about Polish identity (…) On the one hand, Wąż w kaplicy is a fantastically well-written novel, and on the other, a story that really inspires to reflection. What else is there to ask?
Robert Ostaszewski
The thirteenth novel in Piątek's body of work is excellent, which doesn't mean, that only the thirteenth is. He is not only the best experienced writer still remaining among the young generation, but also a man, who has opinions and the courage to express them. I don't know why he is underestimated, but it is unfair.
Dariusz Nowacki
Nominees were designated by: Przemysław Czapliński (Adam Mickiewicz University), Paweł Dunin-Wąsowicz (Lampa), Grzegorz Jankowicz (Tygodnik Powszechny), Piotr Kofta (Dziennik. Gazeta Prawna), Marta Mizuro (Odra, Zwierciadło magazine), Anna Nasiłowska (Instytut Badań Literackich PAN), Dariusz Nowacki (Śląsk University), Robert Ostaszewski (Portal kryminalny, Dekada Literacka), Kazimiera Szczuka (Instytut Badań Literackich PAN), Marek Zaleski (Instytut Badań Literackich PAN)
Classical Music
Contrary to some assumptions, the list of contenders in classical music, published on December 8, wasn't related at all to the celebrations of the Chopin year 2010:
The Chopin Year didn't see a significant rise of great piano talents in Poland. Polish musicians didn't shine at Chopin competitions, although a handful number of jury members singled out some names as the best in terms of points, such as Paweł Wakarecy, laureate of a special prize, and Marcin Koziak, who didn't make it to the finals, although his point table predicted otherwise. On the other hand, the Opera scene has staged numerous interesting events. In addition to promoting successful female directors, we have established a list of top young Polish musicians…
Dorota Szwarcman
- Nominees:
Ewelina Pietrowiak (director and set designer; born in 1977), chosen for her audacity in taking up directing challenges in opera theatre, picking up interesting Polish literature pieces, even contemporary ones, the insight in reading libretto and partiture as well as the determination in personal analysis of the singing philosophy.
Daniel Cichy
Łukasz Kuropaczewski (guitarist, born in 1981) who has shown himself to be exceptionally sensitive to the beauty of sound, he is able, thanks to unusual technical skills, to create great works on his intimate and humble instrument. He has a magical influence on his students, for whom he embodies the model of an artist and teacher.
Ewa Solińska
It is hard to imagine a more brilliant career; he stepped into the world of guitarists with a hit and remained there ever since...
Jacek Hawryluk
Wioletta Chodowicz (soprano vocalist, born in 1975). The embodiment of class! In each of her opera roles of madly loving women (Hagith, Halka, Rusałka, Katia Kabanova), she manages to send the listener into the deepest emotions. Nominated for real art and real emotions.
Adrianna Ginał
For the striking interpretation of Katia Kabanova, the cherry on top of a fantastic adaptation of Janački's piece at the National Opera House. Also for the touching role of Rusałka, which saved the unfortunate adaptation of Dvořák's opera in Łodz. For the phenomenal vocal technique, prominent acting talent, perfect feeling of the text and stage authenticity.
Dorota Kozińska
Submissions included:
Alla Polacca (period music group), Wojciech Blecharz (composer), Agnieszka Budzińska-Bennett (soprano singer), Joanna Fressel (soprano singer), Bartosz Głowacki (accordeonist), Michał Górczyński (clarnetist, performer), Marcin Koziak (pianist), Eliza Kruszczyńska(soprano singer), Krystian Krzeszowiak (tenor), Meccorre String Quartet, Aleksander Nowak(composer), Agnieszka Rehlis (mezzo-soprano singer), Marcin Stańczyk (composer), Michał Szymanowski (pianist), Krzysztof Urbański (conductor), Paweł Wakarecy (pianist),Marcin Zdunik (viola player), Wojciech Ziemowit Zych (composer).
Nominees were designated by: Daniel Cichy (Tygodnik Powszechny), Anna S. Dębowska (Beethoven Magazine, Gazeta Wyborcza), Adrianna Ginał (Przekrój), Jacek Hawryluk (Polish radio Dwójka, Gazeta Wyborcza), Robert Kamyk (TVP Kultura), Dorota Kozińska (Ruch Muzyczny), Jacek Marczyński (Rzeczpospolita), Adam Rozlach (Polskie Radio Jedynka), Ewa Solińska (dziennikarka niezależna), Adam Suprynowicz (Polskie Radio Dwójka).
Popular Music
On December 15, the nominees in popular music were published, assessed by the jury rather pessimistically:
There was no rise in particularly revolutionary new acts in 2010 in Poland. One who doesn't scrupulously follow the music-entertainment business could even state that everything is the before. Records sales are still low, the media still ignore debuts and the concerts with the biggest ticket sales are the ones featuring the same stars as always. However, something is actually happening on the musical scene, but just as the list of nominees demonstrates, the most interesting events happen outside of the centre stage. There are representatives of New Jazz, creatively evolving club vibes, post-rock music, electronic and hip-hop. In the end, fans of so called alternative, indie or urban music, also known as absent selections of commercial radio stations programming. To sum it up, the jury nominated artistic audacity while musical conservatism was ignored…
Mirosław Pęczak
- Nominees:
Monika Brodka (aka Brodka, vocalist, writer, composer, born in 1987). The most interesting in her career is the path. Because Brodka likes to wonder around unknown roads, to finally get back on the right track. She was searching and searching until she found it. She realised that she is young, fearless, funny and has perspective. The greatest attribute of the record 'Granda' is how Brodka talks about the world. She experiments, yells, freaks out and won't let anyone put a label on her.
Kuba Wojewódzki
Even though she won the "Polish Idol" TV competition, Monika Brodka didn't have an easy time of it. Success on this TV show isn't an open door to a real career, a cold fact many previous winning contestants have realised. Monika did her thing, with consistence and a concept. She released 3 albums, each one better than the one before. "Granda" is not only the proof of talent, but also audacity, because this record sounds completely different than the rest of her body of work.
Marek Sierocki
Macio Moretti (Maciej Moruś) (drummer, bassist, multi-instrumentalist, born in 1975). The pupil of the national alternative. The creator and co-creator of numerous musical projects, most notably known for his latest participation in the band Mitch&Mitch. Macio is a human orchestra with his own ensemble in his mind and onstage. (…) He surprises the audience with original ideas, arrangment and absolute unpredictability. His juggling with musical styles helped him shape his own unique, inimitable and recognizable style.
Kamil Dąbrowa
Not only does he swim against the tide, but he also gains point for great style. For fantastic records and vibrant concerts, but also for the energy and smile he was the recipient of the 2010 'Przekroj' Phenomenon Award. Since then he has performed at the most important summer festivals and organised his own. He released new albums with his flagship bands Paristetris and Mitch&Mitch. With the latter he even toured around Brazil. And with All that he had the time to get married.
Jarek Szubrycht
Pablopavo (Paweł Sołtys) (vocalist, lyricist, born in 1978). Nominated for two major albums: Telehon Pablopavo i Ludziki (released in 2009,but still amazing), and "Mo' Better Rootz" with the band Vavamuffin. One of the most talented guys of the alternative Polish scene. Sharp, smart, self-ironic in his lyrics. A pionieer in the raggamuffin genre in Poland.
Mikołaj Lizut
Nominees were designated by: Grzegorz Brzozowicz (independent columnist), Jacek Cieślak ("Rzeczpospolita"), Kamil Dąbrowa (Radio TOK FM), Mikołaj Lizut (Radio Roxy), Piotr Metz ("Machina"), Robert Sankowski ("Gazeta Wyborcza"), Marek Sierocki ("Teleexpress"), Jarek Szubrycht ("Przekrój"), Agnieszka Szydłowska (Program III Polish Radio), Kuba Wojewódzki (TVN).
Visual Arts
The list of nominees in the category of Visual arts, announced on December 1, was considered in a more positive light:
This year was yet another one deprived of groundbreaking events on the young Polish artistic scene. There was no exhibition that could have been subtitled or later considered as the testimony or manifest of a generation, not even the clear voice of a creative collective. The presence of any actual expression was granted by separate and individual Project and exhibitions, spread around various galleries. (...) Visual arts have long crossed the traditional boundaries of painting, sculpture and graphic arts. Today, they frequently if not systematically blur the frontiers between art genres and fields. (...) We also can't pretend that we don't dream of a situation, where contenders are most often architects, and furniture or fashion designers…
Piotr Sarzyński
- Nominees:
Jakub Julian Ziółkowski (born in 1980) - nominated for "the combination of humour, macabre and self-irony in a visually appealing form"(Monika Małkowska). He is the ultimate painter, seeming to ignore the world outside of painting. An extreme subjectivist evolving in times of over-dominating pragmatism. Those paintings lead to complicate and confuse our perception of life, but they are also necessary as they help us out from falling into mechanical reacting to reality.
Grzegorz Borkowski
The group Sędzia Główny (Aleksandra Kubiak, born in 1978, and Karolina Wiktor, born in 1979) - for "an absolute and consistent dedication to living art" and for: Fantastic projects which ask important questions on such topics as the boundaries of social conventions and gender roles, but also about the purpose of performance art, the role and experience of the artist and the public witnessing it. For bringing material for emotion and reflection. For absolute and consistent dedication to living art.
Małgorzata Stalmierska
For the radical change of the conception of performance art in Poland through the study of boundaries of social conventions, as well as artistic tendencies. The artists refer to the sensual and intimate areas and gender, strongly playing with the emotions of the public, activating them, infecting the system while also relating to what Henry Jenkins called the "culture of convergence".
Izabela Kowalczyk
Wojciech Bąkowski (WuEsBe, born in 1979). The artistic explosion of this artist happened earlier, but the shock wave hit us just recently. It personally blew me away. Filmmaker and illustrator, installation artist shaping space and sound, brutal lyricist, exquisitely primitivist, an experimental musician, leader of the bands Kot and Niwea; Bąkowski, the ultimate artist, is today's most charismatic figure of the Polish artistic scene.
Stach Szabłowski
This year's presentation of his work at the CCA Ujazdowski Castle ("Jest tylko to, co widać" / "There's only that which you can see") was impossible to perceive as a simple exhibition, as it was also the calling up of a living and vibrant spirit of the artist. The brutally ascetic form of his pieces fascinates through its distressing authenticity, becoming the voice of a generation deprived from illusions and not longing after those.
Grzegorz Borkowski
Submissions included works from: Yael Bartana, Olaf Brzeski, Mateusz Dąbrowski, Grzegorz Drozd,Wojciech Duda, Kasia Fudakowski, Maurycy Gomulicki, Elżbieta Jabłońska, Rafał Jakubowicz, Paweł Janas, Norman Leto (Łukasz Banach), Aleksandra Mizielińska and Daniel mizielinski, Anna Molska, Ivo Nikić, Tomasz Rygalik, Janek Simon, Aleksandra Waliszewska, Julita Wójcik, Honza Zamojski, Monika Zawadzki.
Nominees were designated by: Piotr Bernatowicz (Arteon), Grzegorz Borkowski (Obieg), Bogusław Deptuła (Dwutygodnik, TVP Kultura), Dorota Jarecka (Gazeta Wyborcza), Rafał Kamecki (www.artinfo.pl), Izabela Kowalczyk (blog strasznasztuka.blox.pl), Monika Małkowska (Rzeczpospolita), Stach Szabłowski (Przekrój), Jacek Werbanowski (Exit), Małgorzata Stalmierska (Art&Business).
Film
The list of contenders in the film category was published on November 17. The selection of the three directors in the category was explained by the jury collectively:
It is hard to apply the term of ‘new generation' of filmmakers - not only because late debutant Paweł Sala is older than the remaining two, but also because young artists have long been refusing to be divided and labelled, as much as they don't want to speak in the name of all their fellow contemporaries. Those three nominees are also soloists, and each one has a slightly different conception of cinema, as Marcin Wrona is inspired by genre cinema, Paweł Sala is not afraid of extremes and shock value, while Marek Lechki relates to intimate cinema narrated in a gentle voice.
But those three filmmakers also share similarities. The time set of their films is contemporary, here and now, presenting Poland in a darker light, less appealing, worse but real. It is also professional cinema, starting with a good, polished script (…) and ending with great editing. The directors we selected this year also belong to the very few ones that are actually capable of working with actors, which is still quite rare in Polish cinema.
A last common characteristic is that the nominated directors treat their audience with respect and reverence, as this same public is constantly sentenced to national romantic comedies, bombarded by noisy, commercial ads claiming those are ‘events of the season'. Actual events are the basis of films made by such filmmakers as Wrona, Sala and Lechki.
- Nominees:
Marek Lechki (born 1975) - for the 2010 film Erratum. A distinction for the ability to tell about the most important subjects without conceit and almost incidentally. Only Czechs were previously able to tell stories that way. 'Erratum' is a humble little film, but also a solid piece of great cinema.
Lech Kurpiewski
The author succeeded in every aspect of this delicate, intimate [film] about the midlife crisis, about the struggle to re-establish a connection with relatives, about the return to the sources of personality.
Tadeusz Lubelski
If there was an international film contest for the Best Last 30 Seconds of a movie, then Lechki's film would have great chances at winning.
Jerzy Płażewski
Paweł Sala (born 1958) for Matka Teresa od kotów / Mother Theresa of Cats The choice of an original form combined with solid workshop background (excellent cast directing!) cause that this tale of a matricide doesn't shock despite its drastic theme, but torments [the viewer], haunts, stalks and follows [him] remaining in his memory for a long time.
Tadeusz Lubelski
Mother Theresa of Cats is a late debut, but expressive and shocking.
Andrzej Kołodyński
A sensational directorial debut by a famous playwright. A piece about the fall of a family, about chaos and the cult of the force. About a world from which God has disappeared. One of the most important Polish films of the last few years, [comparable in quality] to Plac Zbawiciela / Saviour Square and 33 sceny z życia / 33 scenes from Life
Tadeusz Sobolewski
Marcin Wrona (born 1973) – for the film Chrzest/The Christening. The Christening is a bitter glance at Polish reality, it is an ambiguous and perverse film in which the longing for the most subtle emotions filters through extremely brutal images.
Barbara Hollender
Wrona skilfully uses elements of genre cinema, a canvas on which he creates intense psychological dramas and morals. He's got an incredible feeling for his actors.
Anna Fuksiewicz
The director creates a cinema that can irritate through its (conscious or not) ideology, but that can also impress because of its professionalism, a quality that has been noticed by many selectioneers of important international festivals.
Anita Piotrowska
Other submissions included:Kuba Czekaj (for the film Ciemnego pokoju nie trzeba się bać" / "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark Room), Arkadiusz Jakubik (for the film Prosta historia o miłości" / "A Simple Story About Love), Katarzyna Klimkiewicz (for the film Hanoi Warszawa), Marcin Koszałka (for camerawork and the documentary Deklaracja nieśmiertelności" / "Declaration of Immortality), Mateusz Kościukiewicz (for his roles in Matka Teresa od kotów" / "Mother Theresa of Cats and Wszystko, co kocham" / "All That I Love), Urszula Grabowska (for her role in Joanna), Piotr Marecki (for the initiative of creating the think tank Restart Polskiego Kina/Restart of Polish Cinema, reitroducing the dialogue between literature and film), Magdalena Popławska (for her roles in A Simple Story About Love and Dwa ognie" / "Between Two Fires), Julia Ruszkiewicz and Karolina Bielawska (for the documentary Warszawa do wzięcia" / "Warsaw to Take), Nowe Horyzonty Association (for the festivals Era Nowe Horyzonty and American Film Festival), Adam Sikora (for photography in Essentials Killing and his film Ewa), Adam Woronowicz (for his role in Święty interes"/"The Holy Business and Chrzest" / "The Christening).Nominees were decided upon by a jury of journalists from all the major cultural publications in Poland, from Rzeczpospolita and Newsweek to Kino and Film.
Theatre
Sebastian Majewski (born 1971) – for the empowering of the playwright in Polish theatre. Most notably for the season of "Znamy, znamy..." in Teatr Wałbrzyski.
The Wałbrzyski Theatre under his direction becomes a perfectly working 'hothouse laboratory', in which are created (...) the best Polish shows of the last few seasons. The most interesting directors of the new generation, a thematic hiatus from Wałbrzych through Africa up to the distant galaxies.
Joanna Derkaczew
For the empowering of the playwright in Polish theatre. Most notably for the season of "Znamy, znamy..." in Teatr Wałbrzyski, perfectly answering the current need of refurnishing our symbolic space.
Grzegorz Niziołek
If he had chosen to focus on a career in advertising, he would probably had become a millionaire. He chose theatre, which effectively recedes him from millions , but allows him to fully exploit his intense creativity. He is a human orchestra, proving himself as a director and playwright, but also as a dramatist for spectacles by Jan Klata.
Paweł Sztarbowski
Paweł Demirski (born 1979) and Monika Strzępka (born 1976) - for the shows Był sobie Andrzej Andrzej Andrzej i Andrzej" / "There was an Andrzej, ... and Niech żyje wojna!!!" / "Long Live War!!!. For the grotesque display of all those wiseacres from the left as well as the right wing of our stage.
A special recognition is owed to Demirski for his uncompromising way of introducing post-mnemonic discourse on the Polish scenes, which under his interpretation gets an anarchic potential initiated by authentic anger. Monika Strzępka has elaborated a scenic form that serves the masterly transposition of his texts into stage language. The original method of work with the cast lead to the fruitful formation of a permanent ensemble of generous actors, that are also extremely conscious of the form and capable of driving themselves from a very healthy distance.
Anna R. Burzyńska
For a consistently evolving theatre project, that deconstructs official and colloquial, strong definitions of national community, identity and collective memory. Such terms as critical art and political art are redefined by the theatre of Demiski and Strzepka.
Marcin Kościelniak
Wojciech Kościelniak (born 1965) – for the direction Lalka / Doll by Bolesław Prus; for the very successful attempt to revive Polish musical and redefine its artistic rank.
Currently the most original musicals director in Poland. Not only does he present musical classics, but he also focuses on brand new themes, seemingly wild, such as the latest sensational Lalka" / "Doll based on Boleslaw Prus' novel in w Gdynia. If I were a producer on Broadway, Kościelniak Gould already be working for me.
Tadeusz Nyczek
For the creation of his own style of musical theatre, which consecutive pure example in 2010 was the adaptation of the 'Doll' at the Musical Theatre in Gdynia.
Wojciech Majcherek
Other submissions included: Michał Borczuch (director), Krzysztof Garbaczewski (director), Karolina Gruszka (actress), Tomasz Karolak (actor, owner of the IMKA Theatre), Grzegorz Małecki (actor), Paweł Passini (director), Małgorzata Sikorska-Miszczuk (playwright), Grzegorz Wiśniewski (director), Iwan Wyrypajew (playwright, director), Krzysztof Zarzecki (actor), Wojciech Ziemilski (performer).
The nominees were designated by: Anna R. Burzyńska ("Didaskalia"), Jacek Cieślak ("Rzeczpospolita"), Joanna Derkaczew ("Gazeta Wyborcza"), Łukasz Drewniak ("Przekrój", "Dziennik Gazeta Prawna"), Jacek Kopciński ("Teatr"), Marcin Kościelniak ("Tygodnik Powszechny"), Wojciech Majcherek (TVP Kultura), Grzegorz Niziołek ("Didaskalia"), Tadeusz Nyczek ("Przekrój"), Paweł Sztarbowski (Zbigniew Raszewski Theatre Institute).
Source: www.polityka.pl/paszportypolityki
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