Poland’s Contemporary Art Culture

What are the first thoughts that come to mind when you think of Poland, Warsaw or Krakow? If it is not an image of an emerging cultural hub of innovative ideas and contemporary style then we urge you to think again.

Poland has been steadfast in stripping away the perception of a dilapidated nation who, because of its unfortunate history, has lagged behind the rest of Western Europe in social norms and modern culture.

One institution at the forefront of this effort is the Centre for Contemporary Art at Ujazdowski Castle. The Castle, located between Ujazdow Park and the Royal Baths Park, once served as the residence of the Polish royal family.

Since it was rebuilt post World War II, the baroque building is now home to the leading contemporary works of art in Polish society.

Here, you will find some of the most talented local Polish artists, as well as a plethora of global talent in exhibition. Currently, the Centrum Sztuki Współczesnej Zamek Ujazdowski will host a group exhibition entitled “Four Rooms,” which includes artist like Ingunn Fjóla Ingþórsdóttir and Vittorio Brodmann.

The title of the show is originated by the site of the exhibition, four rooms located in the basement of the Ujazdowski Castle, which are among the few parts that have remained from the original building.

It is also a reference to the 1995 movie “Four Rooms,” a series of four short stories directed by Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, Alexander Rockwell and Allison Anders, respectively.

The film as well as the exhibition is focused on the themes of surrealism, visionary, brutality and irony. It is an examination of the art and the movie to determine the cohabitation between abstraction and figuration. The exhibition runs until January 29th, 2012.

The change in the art cultural landscape of Poland does not only stem from large institutions like the Centre. It is very much a grassroots movement, with young, innovative artists who are redefining the style and social trends in the country.

Artists like freelance photographer Whookash Guzenda are using their lens to capture the accessibility, sexuality and beauty of their fellow countrymen to reshape the global misconception of Polish people as a cold, illusive eastern cousin.

Their images express the reality of a healthy, vibrant and modern people on the verge of a new horizon to a greater future.

Click on the link to the upper left corner for more images.

To learn more on the Centre for Contemporary Art, click HERE.

To see more of Whookash Guzenda’s work, click HERE.

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