June 4–October 11, 2019
Jaskolcza 1, 80-767 Gdansk
Poland
Laznia Centre for Contemporary Art has realized The Outdoor Gallery of the City of Gdansk project aiming to create a permanent collection of works of art in public space in the revitalized districts of Gdansk for over 10 years. In 2019 Laznia has expanded its activities and established a new department dedicated strictly to art in public space and developed a new long-term project concerning public art entitled “Art and The City”.
Projects realized within “Art and the City” in 2019 include:
“Art and the City” Non-Festival
The first edition of the Non-Festival took place in Dolne Miasto district over the summer. It referred to pressing social problems, looked for different forms of communicating with viewers and new contexts for public art. Invited artists tackled the subjects of personal liberty and freedom of speech, which contributed to the celebration of “The Year of Freedom and Solidarity” in Gdansk. Some of the artists assumed the role of the voice of their generation and some chose to speak about their personal experience. A selection of works were exhibited in box-like galleries acting as a point of departure for a number of accompanying events: concerts, workshops, performances or social actions.
ARTISTS: Alicja Biała, Bolesław Chromry & Magdalena Sawicka, Mirella Von Chrupek, Oskar Dawicki, Justyna Górowska, Filip Ignatowicz, Marcin Janusz, Agata Królak, Honorata Martin, Luka Rayski, Open Group, Mariusz Waras, Ada Zielińska, Paweł Paulus Mazur, Dariusz Brzóska Brzóskiewicz, Piotr Szwabe, Paweł Włodarski, Siksa, DJ Wika and others.
Curators: Kinga Jarocka, Anna Szynwelska, Krzysztof Kucharczyk, Marcin Różyc
“My Liberty” Poster Campaign
Six graphic and illustrative artists invoked the concept of “My Liberty” in their projects, which was also the motto of the first edition of Non-festival. Edgar Bąk, Katarzyna Bogucka, Bolesław Chromry, Patryk Hardziej, Ola Niepsuj and Dawid Ryski were the authors of this social poster campaign which spread across citylights and poster pillars throughout Gdańsk in June and July 2019 and took over the place reserved for commercial advertisements. The action was concluded with a discussion “Can graphic art change the world?” held at PATIO ASP in Gdansk.
Curator: Michalina Domoń
Conference “Art and the City. Just what is it that makes our cities so different, so appealing?”
During our meeting, we attempted to find out whether art showcased in urban spaces could in fact be the factor making our cities so different, yet so appealing. The conference encompassed talks by 16 speakers and specialists like Barbara Horvath (curator of public art projects in Vienna), Taru Tappola (head of public art, HAM Helsinki Art Museum), Mirosław Haponiuk (director of the “Crossroads” Centre for Intercultural Creative Initiatives, Lublin), Enrico Lunghi (curator of art projects, Luxembourg) among the others. The first segment covered prospects for the development of contemporary urban art. The opening lecture was given by prof. Else Marie Bukdahl, who pondered upon liberty unleashed by public art. Then, over several presentations, we got to know examples from Vienna, Helsinki, Lublin and Milan. This segment ended with a debate on the Outdoor Gallery of The City of Gdansk moderated by prof. Paweł Leszkowicz.
The second part focused on the role of the city in the context of art projects and creating shared spaces. This segment began with a lecture by Grzegorz Piątek, who talked about the experience of Warsaw in organizing art and participation-based projects. It was followed by a series of presentations concerning long-term public art projects realised in Gdańsk. It was concluded with a debate with representatives of cultural institutions and local administration units responsible for the implementation of municipal plans. The debate was moderated by Artur Celiński.
Results derived from the conference and debates will serve as a foundation for the planned online platform showcasing art objects and art-related actions based in Gdańsk. Furthermore, the summary of realized Art and The City projects will be comprised in a publication planned to be released in the spring of 2020.
Further information: www.niefestiwal.pl
