In 1969, the first Polish Exhibition of Graphic Symbols presented iconic projects created from 1945 to 1969. It was a reflection of the contemporary modernist tendencies and the limited technical capacity of the time. The exposition became very popular and was presented in many Polish cities (including Poznań and Wrocław) and abroad (such as in the German Democratic Republic). It is even more surprising that from the end of 60s there was no presentation or a publication which tried to create a full conceptualisation of the history of Polish graphic symbols and visual identification.
The Second Polish Exhibition of Graphic Symbols recreates the legendary exhibition from 1969 and presents the new achievements of Polish designers from 2000 to 2015. It is the first presentation of contemporary Polish symbols and identification for almost 50 years. In contrast to the 60s exhibition, the contemporary language of visual communication not only means graphic symbols. Today, there are also complex projects which include topography, format, shape, and colour. Many of the projects are the part of systems of branding or marketing strategies.
The compilation of the graphic symbols and visual identifications created in Poland in diverse historical times is a rare opportunity to compare two different visual cultures and to show the differing forms, definitions, and functions of graphic design.
The Second Polish Exhibition of Graphic Symbols
20th December 2016 to 14th January 2017
Arka Gallery, VilniusCurators of the exhibition: Patryk Hardziej, Rene Wawrzkiewicz.
Commissioners of the exhibition: Ryszard Bojar, Marta Gawin, Viktoriya Grabowska, Michał Łojewski, Katarzyna Roj, Kuba Sowiński, and Marcin Wolny.
Main partners: the Adam Mickiewicz Institute as Culture.pl, the Polish Institute in Vilnius, the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw, Dizajn BWA Gallery in Wrocław, Gdynia Design Centre, Oldschool Logo.
The aim of Culture.pl, the Adam Mickiewicz Institute’s flagship brand, is to promote Poland and Polish culture abroad. Under the Culture.pl name, valuable initiatives and events from the worlds of music, art, and design are presented. The Culture.pl portal is updated every day, informing about the most interesting events connected to Polish culture around the world. It is also the biggest and most comprehensive source of knowledge of Polish culture. A special section dedicated to design presents new trends in contemporary Polish design and the newest projects by Polish designers.
Wide-ranging, worldwide promotion of Polish design is one of the operational priorities of the Adam Mickiewicz Institute. Design serves as a platform to present contemporary Polish culture and promote Polish creativity. A key to its success is fruitful cooperation with prestigious partners: Ventura Lambrate (Milan), London Design Festival, Maison&Objet (Paris), Paris Design Week, DW! Sao Paulo Design Weekend, Inno Design Tech Expo (Hong Kong), Business of Design Week (Hong Kong), Istanbul Design Week, International Furniture Fair Singapore, Design Trade Copenhagen, International Contemporary Furniture Fair (New York), Wanted Design (New York), Stockholm Furniture and Light Fair, What Design Can Do! (Amsterdam), Dutch Design Week (Eindhoven) and Wallpaper*.
Press contact:
Magdalena Mich
Spokesperson
Adam Mickiewicz Institute
mmich@iam.pl
+48 602 663 570