‘Transformations. Modernity in the Third Republic of Poland” is an exhibition that crowns the series “4 x modernity”, held at the National Museum in Krakow since 2021. It explores the various ways in which modernity has been understood in Polish art, architecture and design from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries to the present day. The exhibition, which opens on 20 December, presents the phenomenon of the revision of the idea of modernity and its eponymous transformation after 1989. It provides an opportunity to reflect on the art of the last 35 years, against the backdrop of major social, political and technological changes. It is an event that presents the dynamism, complexity and polyphony of contemporary culture.
The exhibition begins with the phenomenon of postmodernism, which was the reference point for the transformation process in the first period after 1989. Postmodernism negated previous doctrines, broke conventions and manifested itself in an unbridled variety of forms. It challenged the idea of unlimited progress, geometric and minimalist aesthetics or the value of utopian thinking. It was a time when regained freedom, both artistic and social, allowed experimentation with new ideas. Inspiration was sought in the modern canon of functionalism, and there was interest in otherness, transgressing taboos, popular culture or kitsch, among other things.
The next part of the exhibition shows that a decade later, the art scene was dominated by a re-reading of modernism, which we call neo-modernism. It gained in practicality, simplicity of form, minimalism and austerity. In Polish architecture and design, neomodernism remains the dominant trend, combining modern technologies and materials with the needs of contemporary users. In art, on the other hand, the avant-garde tradition has been rediscovered, moving towards both abstraction and surrealism and towards activities with a social dimension.
Polyphony – the last part of the exhibition reflects on the opportunities and threats posed by the modernist project. The art objects here are a commentary and reflection on the history of modernism, including its alternative versions, as well as the problems posed by the present. This part of the exhibition includes works in which the artists address the themes of digitalisation, changes in the way we live, the shaping of private and public space, emancipation, as well as dialogue with nature – a phenomenon that has become increasingly important in recent years in the context of the development of ecological and sustainable solutions in architecture. The art world enters into both a dialogue but also shows different perspectives on the above issues. This polyphony is the wealth of contemporaneity that we want to present in the exhibition.
“The categories proposed above to describe times of transformation remain in a dynamic relationship with each other, and their interdependence determines their contemporary reading. (…) The most important challenge remains, therefore, to moderate contemporary polyphony in such a way as to build not antagonisms, but a shared space, supporting both collective and individual emancipation, so as not to juxtapose them. It is important to appreciate that there is no single obligatory pattern of modernity to which one must mature and which must be adopted in its entirety. The universal principles of modernity, if they are to be usefully accepted, must be inscribed in cultural particularisms and can only express themselves through them. Art, architecture and design play an important role in this process, building a space for such a polyphonic and consensual debate, which is what our exhibition, summarising three decades of transformation and the search for new formulas of modernity, wants to show,” writes Prof. Andrzej Szczerski, Director of the National Museum in Krakow, in the catalogue to the exhibition.
The exhibition will feature works by the most important Polish artists and designers active after 1989, most of which will be presented for the first time at the National Museum in Krakow. The exhibition, which draws attention to the key problems of the times of transformation, shows both works that are emblematic of the times of the Third Republic, as well as lesser-known works that have not yet been widely presented in Polish museums. The exhibition features just under 350 pieces from public and private collections, as well as works on loan from the artists themselves. Visitors can see, among others, paintings, sculptures, installations, graphics, photographs and films. Using mock-ups, plans and drawings, visitors can interact with architecture. There are also numerous objects of artistic craftsmanship, everyday objects, furniture and fashion.
As part of the “4 x modernity” series, exhibitions have so far been held: “Polish National Styles 1890-1918” (2021), “A New Beginning. Modernism in the Second Republic’ (2022) and ‘Rationed Modernity. Modernism in the People’s Republic of Poland’ (2023).
The entire exhibition series, as well as the latest exhibition, was held under the Honorary Patronage of the President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda. The exhibition was made possible thanks to funding from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.
EXHIBITION “TRANSFORMATIONS. MODERNITY IN THE THIRD REPUBLIC” EXHIBITION
Place: MNK Main Building
Duration: 20.12.2024-18.05.2025
Duration Hours:
monday: closed
tuesday-Sunday: 10.00-18.00
Curatorial team: Prof. Dr. Czesława Frejlich, Alicja Kilijańska, Joanna Regina Kowalska, Agata Małodobry, Prof. Dr. Andrzej Szczerski, Dr. Katarzyna Uchowicz
Coordination: Katarzyna Pawłowska
Exhibition design: Magdalena Bujak
Exhibition under the Honorary Patronage of the President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda
The realisation of the temporary exhibition “Transformations. Modernity in the Third Republic” from the series “4 x modernity” was co-financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage
Patron of the MNK: PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna
Strategic Partners of MNK: PZU, Totalizator Sportowy
MNK Partners: Cechini Muszyna, Wawel S.A.
Exhibition partners: ZUE S.A., National Digital Archive, Bizzarto
Promotional partner: AMS
Media partners: Onet, Polskie Radio, Radio Kraków, Radio Kraków Kultura, Architektura & Biznes, Dziennik Polski, Twój Styl, whiteMAD, Notes na 6 tygodni, TVP 3 Kraków
photos: Kacper Trzmiel
source: press materials
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