From 16 to 29 May, Warsaw is hosting one of this year’s most ambitious exhibitions of contemporary art. “OŚWIECENIE” is Poland’s first monographic exhibition of this scale dedicated to Marek Bimer – a multidisciplinary artist whose work has for decades straddled the boundaries between sculpture and collectible design.
The exhibition covers a wide spectrum of works – from the latest monumental pieces created in recent years to earlier objects that have evolved alongside the development of Bimer’s artistic language. Central to the exhibition are elaborate light installations and distinctive forms in which sculpture meets internal light, lending the works a new perceptual dimension.
“I am a sculptor. In a field that straddles the boundary between art and functional design, my starting point has always been pure art. Light installations are a branch I have developed, building on the sculptural form,” emphasises Marek Bimer.
A cross-section of four decades of work
In his latest works, the artist experiments intensively with materials and patina, drawing out a wealth of colours, textures and structures from the materials. Illuminated resin combined with patinated bronze, stone, aluminium, wood or steel creates evocative, almost organic forms. The installations bring to mind schools of fish or swirling clouds, whilst the use of light and shadow redefines the way the viewer experiences the space.
“This will not be an exhibition by an artist working consistently, according to a plan, but by one who is constantly seeking new directions and impressions. And it sums up absolutely nothing,” announced Bimer, noting that his work remains in constant flux.
1,200 sq m of post-industrial space
The exhibition will occupy over 1,200 sq m of a former pharmaceutical warehouse on Barska Street. Four floors will house over 100 objects, creating a multi-layered narrative in which architecture, light and scenography function as a coherent whole. The raw, industrial character of the venue provides a natural backdrop for the works on display – both those requiring intimate engagement and spectacular large-scale installations.
The exhibition has been designed as an experience engaging the senses and emotions. A variety of scenographic, sound and lighting techniques guide the viewer through successive layers of meaning, broadening their sensitivity to the relationship between art and design. It is a space where light becomes a material, and the viewer – a participant in the artistic situation.
Natalia Bimer’s curatorial perspective
The exhibition is curated by Natalia Bimer, the artist’s daughter, who invites visitors to discover her father’s work in a new, expanded context. Her interpretation highlights the courage to cross boundaries and an openness to unexpected connections.
“The boundary between art and design is obvious only to those who are afraid to cross it, who cling desperately to socially accepted categories, thereby closing themselves off to new, still undiscovered spaces and connections. This exhibition is a refutation of the trite notion that everything has already been done in art,” says Natalia.
“Collectible design is art, and art is not empty decoration. If it is, it means something has gone wrong. These are not just objects. They are situations you enter into, and which have an effect on you. If you expect only beautiful and easy things, this is not the place for you. It is worth looking more broadly, listening more clearly and delving deeper. The most important things in this space have no shape, and the best moment is when something ceases to be pretty and begins to be important,” he adds.
A new chapter in Polish contemporary art
“OŚWIECENIE” is an event that not only showcases the work of one of Poland’s most intriguing artists, but also redefines the way we think about the relationship between sculpture, light and collectible design. The exhibition opens up a space for discussion about what art is today and how it can affect the viewer.
source: press materials
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