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Podsumowanie
Culture.pl's award-winning book introducing Polish culture to English-language readers has been transformed into a vivid and whimsical exhibition.
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On 28th September 2019, a new exhibition will open at Clapham Library in London. Conceived and designed by Magdalena Burdzyńska, the Quarks, Elephants & Pierogi exhibition celebrates the Polish language through creative use of space and illustrations. The official opening will be marked by an afternoon of special events.
The exhibition Quarks, Elephants & Pierogi is based on Burdzyńska’s illustrations for Culture.pl’s award-winning book Quarks, Elephants & Pierogi: Poland in 100 Words by Mikołaj Gliński, Matt Davies and Adam Żuławski. The book explores the Polish language and Poland’s history and culture in visually-arresting, inviting and fun ways. Thanks to Burdzyńska, the rich visual style she created for the book will now be brought to life in Clapham Library's main hall.
David Crystal, the popular author and expert on the English language, has called the book and one of Poland’s Most Beautiful Books of the Year (awarded by the Polish Book Publishers Association):
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A stunning combination of content and design... I enjoyed every bit of it, and wish there were more like this, on other languages.
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'We wanted to make something that was both information rich and a feast for the eyes,' editor Adam Żuławski, head of Culture.pl’s English section, explains about the book’s origins. 'Magdalena Burdzyńska, a highly-respected book designer and illustrator with several beautiful books under her belt, was the perfect visual foil to the dense yet often tongue-in-check texts that we had prepared. Now that she has transformed the book into an exhibition, people can immerse themselves in her work, in an altogether new experience that is both complementary to the book and its own unique adventure,' adds Żuławski. 'And most of all, it’s fun!'
Mirroring the way one can play with language, Burdzyńska’s illustrations jump into new forms in the physical space of the library, unexpectedly taking up space on the floor and in the curved atrium, or even by being reinvented in neon. The artist explains:
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I want the exhibition to appeal to both adults and children alike, because we all play with language our whole lives. I love playing with visuals in much the same way.
The exhibition will open on Saturday, 28th September 2019, with a special afternoon of events:
- 1pm: Artistic workshops for children (aged 6-13) with illustrator Magdalena Burdzyńska
- 3pm: Official opening of the exhibition
- 4pm: Conversation with co-authors Mikołaj Gliński and Adam Żuławski, led by Magda Raczyńska from the Polish Cultural Institute
The exhibition will be on show at Clapham Library on London’s Clapham High Street until 7th November 2019. All the events are free, no booking required.
The exhibition is organised by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, Clapham Library, Stockwell Partnership’s ‘Poles Connect’, and the Polish Cultural Institute in London. The official carrier of the exhibition is LOT Polish Airlines.
The project is organised by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute operating under the Culture.pl brand as part of the international cultural programme accompanying Poland’s centenary of regaining independence. Financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland as part of the multi-annual programme NIEPODLEGŁA 2017-2022.
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