During the press brunch organised by Fotofestiwal, artists engaged in this year's edition of the event had the opportunity to tell the media about their projects. Below we present three initiatives which the University of Lodz is involved in.
PHOTOSOPHICAL ACTIVITIES IN THE ARCHIVE OF ANDRZEJ RÓŻYCKI
On Tuesday (11 June) at 7:00 p.m., two exhibitions will be opened at the Biedermann’s Palace: an audiovisual installation by Bartek Talaga entitled "Czas Wywołania" and "Interwencja twórcza Igora Omuleckiego w archiwum Andrzeja Różyckiego". The exhibitions initiate the public activity of the Andrzej Różycki's Photosophical Archive, and their task is to reflect on the creative and artistic processing of artists' archives, boldly animate archival material and reveal individual creative dialogues taken up by Talaga and Omulecki.
Both projects are experimental in nature. They involve the student community in the creative, curatorial and organisational processes. Sebastian Stasiek vel Staszczyk is responsible for the coordination and curatorial cooperation on Bartek Talaga's exhibition as part of his BA project. The activities of the Photosophical Archive are also based on cooperation with students, as part of student internships and teaching subjects related to curatorial work. All the activities are coordinated by Karol Jóźwiak, a scientist developing the tropes of Andrzej Różycki's photosophical thought.
Bartłomiej Talaga and Karol Jóźwiak during the Fotofestiwal brunch (photo: Maciej Andrzejewski)
The Biedermann’s Palace, chosen as the exhibition space, becomes not only a place for presenting art, but an integral part of the artistic creation itself, open to interaction with the viewer. My task as a producer and curator is not only to organise the event, but above all to shape the space in which art and experience become inextricably linked. The organisation of the exhibition at the Biedermann’s Palace aims to exceed the conventions of traditional art exhibitions. It is not only about presenting artistic works but also about creating an atmosphere that will introduce the viewer to a unique sensory and emotional experience
– explains Sebastian Stasiek vel Staszczyk – the co-curator of the exhibition.
Opening days and hours: festival weekend and weekends 12:00 p.m. –8:00 p.m., weekdays from Monday to Friday 4:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
DYWERS – EXHIBITION ON SOCIAL DIVERSITY
The City Programme also includes the DYWERS photographic exhibition, which aims to increase awareness of social diversity. The portrait photographs were taken by a photographer from the University of Lodz, Bartosz Kałużny (Communications and PR Centre). Marek Domański (the Strzemiński Academy of Fine Arts Łódź) is the curator of the exhibition. The opening is scheduled for 11 June (Tuesday) at 8:00 p.m. at the university's Wozownia 1/5 Gallery (Franciszkańska 1/5).
Bartosz Kałużny during the Fotofestiwal brunch (photo: Maciej Andrzejewski)
The curator writes about the exhibition:
The author has decided to draw our attention to the issues related to neuroatypicality, gender identity, sexuality and ethnicity. For this purpose, he gave up the privilege that every artist has: shaping their work without restrictions. The photographed people volunteered to take part in the project, gaining influence over the place and method of photography as well as the used means of expression. Participation in the creation process provided the people in front of the camera with the sense of comfort and agency, and also enriched the entire project, diversifying it on many levels. The frames kept in the convention of staged photography ooze with diversity, thanks to which they reflect the fascinating complexity of the world.
You can join the event on Facebook, where you will find the full curatorial text and details related to the project, including opening days and hours (go to the Facebook event).
SERIES OF WORKS "ALLEL"
The second university gallery (M. Skłodowskiej Curie 11) will host the opening of the exhibition "Allel" by Dagmara Bugaj (the Strzemiński Academy of Fine Arts Łódź) on Wednesday, 12 June at 6:00 p.m. In addition to traditional photographs, the artist will present their equivalents or interpretations in the form of three-dimensional objects, sculptures and installations.
Dagmara Bugaj during the Fotofestiwal brunch (photo: Maciej Andrzejewski)
In the series of works "Allel" I intend to reconstitute nature by immersing viewers in new perceptual spheres in which the boundaries between what is physical and what is virtual are blurred. Using various formal techniques, I will mix and contrast means of artistic expression – photographic and sculptural expression
– says the artist.
The new media environment is hybrid and its boundaries are not fixed. The interplay of physical and virtual reality raises questions about the role of materiality and representation in art. Reflection on the processes of creating and transmitting images situated on the border between photography and other media, as well as their creative evolution, manifested through various forms of presentation and functioning in space will constitute the essence of the exhibition
– concludes Marek Domański – the curator.
Details on opening days and hours to be announced soon.