The Bunkier Sztuki gallery in Krakow has been closed for the past three years. The modernist pavilion has been undergoing extensive renovation. A tour of it will take place this Thursday. This will be the only opportunity to see what the renovated building looks like before its official opening. That day will also see the unveiling of a stone counterpart to a sculpture by prominent Krakow artist Jadwiga Maziarska.
Bunkier Sztuki. A modernist building bathed in greenery
Bunkier Sztuki is one of the most important cultural institutions presenting contemporary art. At first it functioned as part of the network of Art Exhibition Offices. In 1994, however, it gained the status of a municipal gallery. What makes it stand out is the characteristic exhibition pavilion erected in 1965 to a design by Krystyna Tołłoczko-Różyska. It is located right next to the Planty, which is full of greenery. It also has eye-catching architectural features.
A characteristic element of the modernist building is the façade designed by Stefan Borzęcki and Antoni Hajdecki and made of concrete imprints of wooden formwork,” informs Paulina Zarzycka of Bunkier Sztuki.
A tribute to the “neighbour” from “Krzysztofory”
Now, after three years of work, the building is once again open to the public. At the end of February, it will once again host exhibitions, works of art from the gallery’s collection, and the work of more than just local artists.
Bunkier Sztuki also decided to honour Jadwiga Maziarska, an outstanding artist and intriguing woman, on this occasion. As described by the Bunkier Sztuki Gallery: “her ‘neighbour’ from the Krzysztofory Gallery at the other end of Szczepański Square”. However, she has more than just a ‘neighbourly’ relationship with the ‘bunker’:
Maziarska’s works have been exhibited in group exhibitions at Bunkier Sztuki, such as in 1996 in the exhibition . In addition, her works appeared in the exhibition organised by the gallery, held in late April and early May 2000 at the Polish Institute in Düsseldorf,” describes Zarzycka.
“One of the most important figures in Polish modern art”
Jadwiga Maziarska, who died in 2003, was also one of the most important figures of Polish modern art, a precursor of matter painting, author of collages, reliefs, applications, spatial forms and sculptures.
She was associated with the pre-war avant-garde and the post-war Second Kraków Group. The artist participated in forty exhibitions of the Group – both at its headquarters in Krzysztofory and outside, describes Bunkier Sztuki.
We, too, are looking forward to the opening of the renovated Bunkier and can’t wait to describe in more detail what the place looks like after the renovation.
project: Biuro Architekt Kaczmarczyk s.c.: Andrzej Kaczmarczyk, Sylwia Bartoszewska
source: Bunkier Sztuki
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