Publication accompanying the exhibition Tomasz Mańkowski. Architecture is the most important thing
Michał Wiśniewski in his book “Budowanie świata. Wokół twórczości Tomasza Mańkowskiego” sketches the extraordinary story of the protagonist against the background of the fate of Polish architecture, which was exceptionally complicated due to the political history of our country. The book has a foreword by Professor Jacek Purchla entitled “An Architect in Search of Freedom”, and an afterword entitled “The Last of the Mohicans” written by Ewa Mańkowska-Grin, the architect’s daughter, and Irek Grin.
*The story of Tomasz Mańkowski is an alternative history of Polish architecture that really happened. He started in Krakow in the era of Nowa Huta, but escaped socialist realism. He taught residential architecture, but he didn’t build tower blocks; in fact, he promoted single-family houses. He was from behind the Iron Curtain, but studied with Louis Kahn. He discovered postmodernism early on, but he never renounced modernism. And when communist Poland collapsed and everyone threw themselves into business, he invited friends from Poland and abroad to design an experimental care centre - the Children’s Village. A fascinating legacy and attitude of an artist, who in all circumstances created architecture which was deeply humanistic and the best possible under the given circumstances.
Grzegorz Piątek
*[…] [Tomasz Mańkowski’s] contribution to the upbringing of generations of architects and his work, significant for Polish architecture, has been demanding a summary and a thorough presentation for years. Moreover, I and many of the Professor’s colleagues and alumni did not know everything about him. This gap is filled by an excellent book written by Michał Wiśniewski, which systematises the professional achievements of Tomasz Mańkowski, supplemented by an excellent introduction by Professor Jacek Purchla and a moving account by Professor’s daughter Ewa Mańkowska-Grin and her husband Irek Grin, revealing the tragic fate of the Eibenschütz family. During the Second World War, the world of the Professor’s youth was completely destroyed and he himself, miraculously surviving, lost most of his family and school friends. *I highly recommend this historically important and moving publication.
Krzysztof Ingarden
Michał Wiśniewski - architectural historian, graduate of art history (Jagiellonian University) and architecture (Krakow University of Technology). Fulbright scholar (Graduate School of Architecture Planning and Preservation, Columbia University). Employee of the Cracow University of Economics (Department of Economic and Social History) and the International Cultural Centre (Education Centre - Heritage Academy). Author of many scientific and popular publications on the architecture of Krakow and Poland in the 19th and 20th centuries, among others monographs on Krakow architects Ludwik Wojtyczka and Adolf Szyszko-Bohusz. Member of the board of the Architecture Institute Foundation. Co-author of exhibitions and publications created by the Institute of Architecture team.
Series: Architektura jest najważniejsza, vol. VIII EMG Publishing House, Kraków 2022 ISBN: 978-83-63464-53-0 Binding: hardback Number of pages: 412 Price: PLN 50.00 Nautilus SuperWhite paper 100% recycled, FSC Recycled and EU Ecolabel certified
Premiere: 20.06.2022
The partners of the edition are: Cracow University of Technology AGH University of Science and Technology Malopolska Regional Chamber of Architects ZR Hotele Forest Hotel Manggha Museum of Japanese Art and Technology Museum of Architecture in Wrocław
