The Outdoor Gallery of the City of Gdansk 2014
15 May–9 November 2014
Laznia Centre for Contemporary Art
Ul. Jaskolcza 1 80-767
Gdansk
Poland
T + 48 58 305 40 50
www.outdoorgallerygdansk.eu
www.laznia.pl
The Outdoor Gallery of the City of Gdansk is a long-term, international project realized by Laznia Centre for Contemporary Art aiming to create a permanent collection of works of art in public space in the area of the Lower Town district of Gdansk. Projects assigned for realisation are chosen by a jury in regularly announced, closed, international competitions.
Each year Laznia CCA invites also artists to create temporary interventions and perform artistic actions that are complementary to the permanent competition pieces, conducts events aiming to activate public and enhance their participation, organizes conferences and publishes books on art in public space.
Projects realized within the framework of the Outdoor Gallery in 2014 include:
When is a Neighbor a Stranger?
The project When is a Neighbor a Stranger? raises questions about art in public space, it presents works by both Polish and international artists, focusing on strategies and opportunities for audience involvement in art pieces realized outside of the confined gallery space. Art has become an indelible part of our cityscapes, appearing almost literally on our doorsteps. Do we see it as a pleasant neighbor or rather as a stranger speaking with a funny accent? What should art of this kind be like? Should it entertain, criticize or raise doubts? The project consists of interventions in public space andaround an empty flat in the Lower Town and of a seminar on art in public space.
Lower Town Live
Within the framework of the project we invite artists and musicians representing alternative scene to perform a series of artistic actions in public space of The Lower Town.By these events held in unique, atypical places, outside the gallery walls or concert venues,we intend to create places aimed at stimulating encounters of the local community, citizens of Gdansk and guests visiting the city. The project’s aim is to break the barriers and to introduce the Lower Town as a friendly, attractive place with multiple cultural events to offer and to encourage local citizens’ participation.
Topologie
Project realized by les gens d’Uterpan deals with the unities of space, time and action that make up a performance.For several days the performers leave a predefined point of departure to go out into the public space, following an individual itinerary determined by the Topologie graph. Each time they go out, they enter progressively into the organization and increasingly precise replica of their simple acts: gestures and physical movements, social behavior, the speed of their movements. Topologie graph standard is displayed over a map of the location where the project takes place. Along with the graph a sound system plays the soundtrack that accompanies the construction and execution of the physical score.
Lower Town Talks
The Lower Town is one of the last remaining quarters of Gdansk kept in the original shape. In spite of its rich history it is perceived as a “dark” and dangerous place.By the series of city wanderings and guided tours during which the history and the most scenic and surprising places are presented we try to change the way the district is perceived, change its image and make people interested in it. The wanderings are held once a month—from May till October. Each tour has its special theme.
Participating artists
Interventions and performances: Art Mesh (Kuba Budzyński, Monika Waraxa, Stephan Bourgeois), Krystian “Truth” Czaplicki, Elżbieta Jabłońska, Andres R. Londono, Andrea Mastrovito, Joshua Schwebel, Dominika SkutnikJustyna Wencel & Marcin Chomicki, Annie Vigier and Franck Apertet (les gens d’Uterpan),Karolina Chromczak, Helena Ganjalyan, Jan Lorys, Kamil Wawrzuta, Zuzanna Kasprzyk
Seminar: Søren Dahlgaard, Carmen Einfinger, Tania Ruiz Gutiérrez, Let`s do it together (Kuba Budzyński, Monika Waraxa)
Concerts: Coldair, Peter J. Birch, Asia i Koty, Sonia pisze piosenki, Lilly Hates Roses, Pure Phase Ensemble + Laetitia Sadier, Nathalie and the Loners
More information about the projects: www.outdoorgallerygdansk.eu
Project supported by The Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland
