Event date
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Podsumowanie
Re-Interpretations: A Polish-Japanese-Ukrainian Exhibition at the Osaka Kansai International Art Festival
Content
The exhibition is part of the Osaka Kansai International Art Festival, which will be held from 28 January to 13 February in Osaka. This is the second edition of the festival, which will host exhibitions by artists associated with the Kansai region, an art fair where galleries from Japan and abroad will showcase their work, and conferences addressing the potential of art. The main idea of the “Re-interpretations” exhibition is to look into Polish and Ukrainian ideas about the past, history and the relationship between culture and tradition. The artists’ works include references to the contemporary understanding of Romanticism and Slavism in the cultures of both countries. “Re-interpretations” raises questions about the important cultural and literary ties linking Poland and Ukraine, and the romantic fight for the homeland or death in the name of an idea is juxtaposed with the Japanese approach to death, which is inextricably bound up with honour and service. The artists also attempt to rethink these ties and draw attention to climate risks, the role of women in society or migration.
Picture display
standardowy [760 px]
Mikołaj Sobczak and Taras Gembik 'Phantom', still from the video work, photo: courtesy of the artists
In addition to the visual works, accompanying performances and discussions are key elements of the exhibition. Yulia Krivich and Taras Gembik from the “Sunflower” Solidarity Cultural House will offer a performative programme aimed at publicising the Ukrainian cause in Japan. Using the Ukrainian tradition of Malanka, the artists will try to bring the audience closer to the culturally distant Ukraine. In turn, the Kolektyw Łaski [Grace Collective] (Julia Golachowska, Jagoda Kwiatkowska, Anna Shimomura), referring to karaoke – a pastime extremely popular in Japan – will organise joint singing of Polish and Ukrainian songs translated into Japanese, involving visitors. Aung Myat Htay will do a workshop on the art of storytelling for Osaka residents that will allow them to reminisce about their favourite childhood tales and fables.
The exhibition will also feature works by Marta Romankiv, Bogna Burska, Mikołaj Sobczak, Daniel Koniusz, Yui Akiyama, Aung Myint, Komatsu Kazumichi, Kohei Maeda and Tuan Mami.
Picture display
standardowy [760 px]
Bogna Burska "Małgorzata", still from the video work, photo: courtesy of the artist
The exhibition is curated by Paweł Pachciarek, an art critic and performer associated with the Adam Mickiewicz Institute since 2017, and Professor Akiko Kasuya, author of a monograph on the history of contemporary Polish art entitled “Polish Avant-Garde Art: Applied Fantasy for Survival” and the Production Zomia group of Asian artists, curators and professionals.
The Adam Mickiewicz Institute is a national cultural institution established in 2000. The Institute's objective - to build lasting interest in Polish culture around the world - is pursued in collaboration with foreign partners and through international cultural exchange in dialogue with audiences, in line with Polish foreign policy. Until 2022, the Institute carried out projects in more than 70 countries on six continents. The Adam Mickiewicz Institute was organised by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.
Media contact
Klaudiusz Gomerski
kgomerski@iam.pl