The National Museum in Wrocław
New Gallery of Polish Contemporary Art
Opening September 2011 – during the European Culture Congress
The original loft-like interior of the remodelled former attic will showcase the nation’s largest exhibition of contemporary Polish art, from early 20th-century pieces by Witkacy to the recent works of Kozyra, Bałka or Althamer and with the unique collection of the works by world-famous Magdalena Abakanowicz’s as its show stopping climax.
Museum in Wrocław has one of the largest (over 20 thousand objects) and most representative collections of the art of the 20th and early 21st century, from the traditional disciplines of painting, sculpture and graphic arts to the decorative arts (glass and ceramics in particular) to the new media (photography, environment, conceptual projects, happening, multi-media). The new gallery, arranged in the stunning loft-like space of some 3000 square metres, will accommodate a more comprehensive selection and will doubtless feature on Poland’s cultural map as one of principal venue for presenting modern art.
Exhibition conception
“The new Gallery of Contemporary Art will be arranged chronologically and span the period from World War I till present. As for the two decades between the world wars, the new selection will be much stronger and selective as compared to the exhibition’s former version – explains Mariusz Hermansdorfer, Director of the National Museum in Wrocław and author of the exhibition’s conception. – As for the period after World War II, we will broaden the sections devoted to the most distinguished artists (Lebenstein, Nowosielski, Hasior, Jarema , so we will stage a series of individual retrospectives within the chronological framework. It can be done thanks to the Museum’s farsighted policy of acquisitions over the years”. Likewise, the distinguished artists instrumental in defining the local art scene in Wrocław will be represented more comprehensively, for example Geppert, Jurkiewicz, and Hałas. In contrast to the present exhibition, which essentially ends with the developments of the 1980s and 1990s, and only signals more recent tendencies by including individual pieces by Kozyra or Deskur, the new gallery will tell a more representative and current story through the early 21st century and include outstanding works by Althamer or Bałka and Kozyra’s latest works. In addition to painting and sculpture, the exhibition will also showcase art glass and studio ceramics.
The Abakanowicz Rooms
The unique collection of the monumental pieces by world-famous Magdalena Abakanowicz’s, staged in three rooms concluding the exhibition, will certainly be a show stopper and the sublime climax of the visit. The National Museum in Wrocław has the largest collection of her works in Europe.
To celebrate the opening of The Attic of Art gallery, the artist made a generous bequest by presenting to the National Museum in Wrocław her world-famous Abakans series (hitherto deposited with the Museum) of exciting multi-element compositions which have revolutionised textile art by departing from traditional two-dimensional forms and venturing into the realm of monumental sculpture.
Architecture
The roof frame of the former attic has given the new gallery a unique architectural expression but at the same time it has been a challenge to adapt the irregular and monumental space. To an extent, it has been like designing a stage set to combine flawlessly contemporary art and architecture – Director Mariusz Hermansdorefer explains. Glass screens and wall partitions have been introduced to create more intimate spaces to accommodate smaller works without overwhelming them. The gallery will also feature an interactive multi-media system to make a visit to the gallery more attractive and informative.
The remodelled attic will also accommodate state-of-the-art storage rooms for contemporary painting, graphic arts, and photography.
Dates
14 March 2011 - inauguration of the remodelled Attic of Art gallery
10 September 2011 - opening of the new Attic of Art gallery during the European Culture Congress
Fot. A. Podstawka, Ł. Giza
Before:
fot. W. Rogowicz, March 2010
fot. A. Podstawka, January 2011