The Sztuka vs. Wojna (Art vs. War) show at the Okno na Kulturę (Window to Culture) Gallery has been assembled as a response to Russian atrocities, and a critical stance against the global lack of decisive collective action.
Curated by Gennadiy Kozub and Bartłomiej Kiełbowicz, the exhibition demonstrates the role of art in contemporary society as a medium for dialogue, especially in the face of adversity.
Kozub, a prominent figure in the Ukrainian art scene, and Kiełbowicz, known for his reflections on everyday life through various art forms, have brought together a diverse array of contemporary voices.
The featured Ukrainian works, including those by Nikita Titov and Oleksandr Hrechov, are part of the War Time Posters book, which has already gained international recognition.
Other Ukrainian artists shown include Dmytro Dziuba, Mykola Honcharov, Zakentiy Horobiov, and many others.
The Polish section presents sculptures, posters and installations by artists such as Andrzej Rysuje (Andrzej Milewski), Marta Frej, Matylda Damięcka and Paweł Jońca.
Their works, which often go viral on social media, serve as a reaction to Russian crimes and propaganda and symbolize support for the Ukrainian nation.
The exhibition is a witness to the transformative power of art in times of conflict, and is a result of collaboration between the Mieroszewski Center, the Association of Contemporary Art Researchers, and the Biruchiy Contemporary Art Project, with support from Poland's Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.
Deputy Culture Minister Marta Cienkowska attended the opening, while her ministry on its Facebook page stressed the exhibition's significance in the current geopolitical landscape.
February 24, 2022 marked the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which started a wave of violence that artists could not ignore.
The works on display in the Polish capital are at the forefront of the artistic struggle against Russian cruelty and represent a manifesto of solidarity with the victims of genocide, and a corresponding critique of the collective response of the Western world.
The exhibition is open daily until February 29, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
(rt/gs)
Sources: PAP, mieroszewski.pl
