Viennese Actionism: The Opposite Pole of Society

Viennese Actionism: The Opposite Pole of Society

Opening:
8 November 2011, 6.00 pm

Poland, Krakow, Lipowa 4
www.mocak.pl

The exhibition Viennese Actionism: The Opposite Pole of Society will present works from the collection of the Essl Museum in Austria. The title of the exhibition was inspired by the statement from a Viennese Actionist, Otto Muehl: ‘In my actions, I started off from artistic premises, but I see everything less and less in terms of art. What I do is rather like the opposite pole of society.’

The selection of the works presented will highlight socially involved artistic stances. It will show art as a tool of social negotiation against the backdrop of the social and political transformations which have been taking place from the 1960s. The core of the show are the works of the Viennese Actionists. This will be the first such large exhibition of Viennese Actionism in Poland.

Exhibition Viennese Actionism in collaboration with the Essl Museum Klosterneuburg / Vienna.

On the same day another two exhibitions will open and as part of the new exhibition of the MOCAK collection you will also see 7 + 1, a sculpture by Mirosław Bałka.

Ane Lan
All the World’s Women Are in Me!
9 November–29 January 2012
Curator: Maria Anna Potocka
All the World’s Women Are in Me! is a male edition of a feminist exhibition. It shows woman’s presence in the world, her versatility and her ability to adapt to all circumstances. The exhibition highlights commonly prevailing stereotypes in the treatment of women and their helplessness in standing up to them. This is a statement about the changing role of gender at a time of ‘wider democracy,’ which requires empathy with the other party and the situation itself, as well as an ability to become—at least for a moment—someone else.

Małgorzata Markiewicz
EU Textiles
9 November–29 January 2012
Curator: Monika Kozioł
The artist has designed a ‘national costume’ for the citizens of the European Union. The costumes (one for each of nine EU countries) consist of two parts: an ‘E’-shaped top and ‘U’-shaped trousers. While the cut of the suit is identical for all countries, the pattern of the textile differs. It is the result of the author’s reflections on the typical associations that particular EU member states have. All the designs are strikingly modest, comfortable and simple and they are clearly produced with a ‘green’ consciousness. The designs will be shown in a number of EU countries. The exhibition at MOCAK will be accompanied by a catalogue, which will present the idea behind the project and selected designs.

*Image above:
Photo: Laut Photographic Studio.
© Sammlung Essl Privatstiftung, photo documentation: Ludwig Hoffenreich