Teatr Wiczy's public space project is an intriguing way to acquaint viewers from all over the world with prominent personalities in Polish arts and culture. Between 27-28 of October, the Polish alphabet took over the streets of Tokyo
"Polish ABC - Art Becomes Closer" is an interdisciplinary, interactive project conducted by the Teatr Wiczy theatre company. Before landing in Asia, the project was performed in public spaces of designated European cities: Madrid, London, Kiev, Minsk, and Moscow. As part of Polish ABC various artistic actions and happenings take place in major open-air venues around each city.
Huge letters are brought into each city's most frequented public places, spelling out the names of acclaimed Poles, such as Zygmunt Baumann or Tadeusz Kantor. The happenings, which invite a wide public and a chance for passers-by to look into Polish culture, are documented by photographers and will be published on the www.polishabc.eu site. The overall idea is to showcase the richness of Polish culture by, literally, spelling out the names of the country’s most renowned creatives.
Happenings which occur as the letters tour the globe spell out the names of Zygmunt Bauman, Grzegorz Ciechowski, Tadeusz Kantor, Stanisław Lem, Jerzy Grotowski, Czesław Miłosz, Sławomir Mrożki, Lech Wałęsa, Tomasz Stańko, and Wojciech Kilar.
Teatr Wiczy, which started in 1991, is a group which originates in the alternative punk scene and its performances are most often stage-shows and open-air events. Wiczy actors employ improvisation elements, performance-art, the happening convention, as well as avant-vaudeville. For over ten years, the troupe resides in Toruń, staging their thought-provoking actions in the theatre as well as fanning them out onto parking lots, playgrounds and abandoned industrial spaces
Date: 27th – 28th of October, 2011
Venue: City of Tokyo
Project cofinanced by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland
Source: Adam Mickiewicz Institute