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The other side of things. Polish design after 1989

06.04-19.08.2018 The other side of things. Polish design after 1989

This exhibition surveys the development of Polish design after 1989. It shows how design artists coped with the budding capitalism in the 1990s, what imprint Postmodernism left on their works, how they joined in the international trends in design at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, and how they strive these days for individuality in an attempt to measure up to the competition on foreign markets. The economic efficiency is not always the only determinant of the form of a product.

Yet the exhibition brings out the various aspects of design. Activities that are not profit- or market-oriented hardly ever have wide outreach, and their key objective is experimentation with materials, processes or new aesthetics, which is sometimes unacceptable for the mass audience. Many designers focus their attention on the search for a national identity, in doing which they gladly fall back on folk culture, locality or the past. Still other values are invoked by the youngest generation of artists, who tackle current social issues or carry out projects that engage them in environmental movements. Presented at fairs or in galleries, works by design artists are a special case: on the borderline of various disciplines, taking on the form of reflection or commentary.

This diversity bespeaks the ongoing change in the role design plays in contemporary world, but also bears witness to the condition of our material culture, our sensitivities, aspirations and the values we espouse.

Author: Prof. Czesława Frejlich

MNK The Main Building

al. 3 Maja 1
  • Monday: closed
  • Tuesday - Sunday: 10.00-18.00
Porcelain elements Plantacja (Plantation)
designed by Alicja Patanowska, 2014 / photo by Bartosz Cygan - Photography Studio, NMK
Eyeglass frames Hilarius
designed by Łukasz Maziarz, 2015 / photo by Bartosz Cygan - Photography Studio, NMK
Cushions stONE
designed by Mirosław Popławski, Magdalena Popławska, Zofia Popławska, Jakub Kosma Popławski, 2008-2009 / photo by Bartosz Cygan - Photography Studio, NMK
Armchair RM58 Classic
designed by Roman Modzelewski (1912–1997), 1958 / photo by Bartosz Cygan - Photography Studio, NMK
Shoes OPERA
designed by Agata Matlak‑Lutyk, Hanna Ferenc‑Hilsden, 2015 / photo by Bartosz Cygan - Photography Studio, NMK
Toy Frog
designed by Małgorzata Małolepszy, Wojciech Małolepszy, 1987 / photo by Bartosz Cygan - Photography Studio, NMK
Underwater voice communicator Scubaphone
designed by Rafał Dętkoś, 2017
Idea by Łukasz Nowak, Michał Penkowski / photo by Bartosz Cygan - Photography Studio, NMK
Chair Spring
designed by Tomasz Augustyniak, 1992 / photo by Bartosz Cygan - Photography Studio, NMK
Heater Pillou
designed by Nonegrupa: Marta Szaban, Tomasz Antoni Krzempek, 2012 / photo by Bartosz Cygan - Photography Studio, NMK

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