Polska. Architecture – promoting Poland through architecture

12.5.2016–26.6.2016

Architecture in Poland is booming. In the recent years, many important public buildings have been completed – museums, concert halls, sports facilities and educational buildings. Funded by state and local governments and supported by the European Union subsidies, designed by distinguished architects selected in competitions, they become symbols of modernity not only on local or national levels, but also in the international context. The best example is the Szczecin Philharmonic, which gained the most important European prize in 2015 - European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture - Mies van der Rohe Award.

In order to present these achievements, the editors of the “Architektura-murator” monthly magazine, in cooperation with the Department of Public and Cultural Diplomacy of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has prepared an exhibition aiming to promote Poland through architecture.

The exhibition presents 24 newly built or restored buildings, portrayed by the most outstanding Polish photographers of architecture. The photos of architecture are accompanied by reportage pictures, sketches, drawings and quotations, showing the selected structures in the context of important Polish historical events, often reminding about the activities of prominent figures they are dedicated to. – It aims at evoking associations, capturing viewers’ imagination, locating architecture in the context of wider cultural conditions under which it is created - says Ewa P. Porębska, curator of the exhibition.

Concise and very distinctive graphic design of the exhibition was created the acclaimed young graphic designer Edgar Bąk and his team, and the exhibition is accompanied by a short story by an excellent Polish writer Sylvia Chutnik, written specially for the purposes of the event.

The exhibition at the Museum of Architecture in Wroclaw is presented in Poland for the first time, but it has been displayed so far in Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Macedonia, China, Ireland, Austria and India. It has been enriched with additional boards of the four most recently completed buildings: the International Convention Centre in Katowice, the National Forum of Music in Wroclaw, Jordanki Cultural and Congress Centre in Torun and Dialogue Center “Przełomy” in Szczecin.

Polska. Architecture

Organizers: monthly magazine, Department of Public and Cultural Diplomacy of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Co-organizer Museum of Architecture in Wroclaw Curator Ewa P. Porębska Graphic design: Edgar Bąk, Malwina Borowiec, Agnieszka Woźniak Story Sylwia Chutnik Curatorial cooperation Katarzyna Szadkowska Quotes and historical images Marcin Szczelina Translation: Nathaniel Espino, Katarzyna Nowakowska (the story “Architecture is emotion”)

List of objects displayed in the exhibition

  1. European Solidarity Centre in Gdansk, authors: PPW FORT sp. z o.o.
  2. Mieczyslaw Karlowicz Philharmonic in Szczecin, authors: Estudio Barozzi Veiga
  3. Gdansk Shakespeare Theatre, authors: A.T.I. Design Group (Temporary Entrepreneurial Association), architect Renato Rizzi – Pro.Tec.O. s.c.r.l.
  4. Revitalization of the Main Railway Station in Wroclaw, authors: 5 Architekci Group
  5. NOSPR - Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra in Katowice,, authors: Konior Studio
  6. Ericpol office building in Lodz, authors: HORIZONE Studio
  7. Wroclaw Convention Centre at the Centennial Hall, authors: VROA Architekci and ch+ architekci
  8. Arena Gdansk Stadium, authors: Stadion Gdańsk Consortium – RKW Rhode Kellerman Wawrowsky GmbH + Co. Kg. RKW Rhode Kellerman Wawrowsky Polska sp. z o.o., HPP International Planungsgesellschaft mbH
  9. Extension of the Museum of Frederic Chopin in Zelazowa Wola, authors: Stelmach i Partnerzy Biuro Architektoniczne sp. z o.o.
  10. Municipal Marina in Bydgoszcz, authors: APA Rokiccy
  11. Scientific Information Centre and Academic Library in Katowice, authors: HS99
  12. Passenger Terminal of the Lublin Airport in Swidnik, authors: ARÉ Stiasny / Wacławek
  13. Cricoteka Centre for the Documentation of the Art of Tadeusz Kantor in Cracow, authors: IQ2 Konsorcjum; lider Konsorcjum: nsMoonStudio sp. z o.o.; consortium member: Wizja sp. z o.o.
  14. Pixel 1 office building, authors: JEMS Architekci
  15. ICHOT – Gate of Poznan, authors: AD ARTIS Emerla Wojda sp. j.
  16. Malopolska Garden of Arts in Cracow, authors: Ingarden & Ewý Architekci
  17. New Silesian Museum in Katowice, authors: Riegler Riewe Architekten
    1. District housing estate in Warsaw, authors: JEMS Architekci
  18. Copernicus Science Centre in Warsaw, authors: Rar-2 Laboratorium Architektury Jan Kubec
  19. Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw POLIN, authors: Lahdelma & Mahlamäki (Finland), Kuryłowicz & Associates (Poland)
  20. International Convention Centre in Katowice, authors: JEMS Architekci
  21. National Forum of Music in Wroclaw, authors: Kuryłowicz & Associates
  22. Jordanki Cultural and Congress Centre in Torun, authors: Menis Arquitectos
  23. Dialogue Center “Przełomy” in Szczecin, authors of the square and the building: KWK Promes