The Reality of Transformation / The Transformation of Reality * Section of National Exhibitions

Credits

Curator, author of theme:
Paweł Wodziński

Designer, architect of exhibition:
Mirek Kaczmarek

Technical manager:
Krzysztof Garstecki

Description

Over the last few years everything in Poland has changed, just as it has changed in the rest of Central and Eastern Europe: the political system, the social structure and the level of life and opportunity for development, and our common memory and view of traditions. The social function of art has also changed, and with it, theatre. The theatre of poetic metaphor and unlimitable creativity which, for years, was a staple of Polish culture, has become a thing of the past. The romantic paradigm has also been tossed aside, although it shaped Polish art over one and a half centuries.

In an age of rapid political, cultural and social transformation, theatre chose a path of engagement towards the surrounding changes. By relating to Polish reality and attempting to reinterpret the national mythology and symbols, by taking up social and political topics, by locating plays in real-life spaces, and going outside to the real-life areas, theatre wishes to be closer and closer to reality, to show it and describe and judge it. This attempt is motivated partially by a desire to make contact with audiences, but also by a deep need to create a social mechanism for reacting to reality, even crafting reality through art. This need to craft reality and transform reality, rebuilding what was once destroyed or creating reality on new principles, is the greatest passion that has taken hold of Polish theatre these past few years.

If Polish theatre, and with it scenography, as well as theatrical architecture, are to mean anything today, it’s through the never ending attempt to enter into a relationship with reality, obsessively seeking out new images, as well as keeping up with the changes brought on by reality.

Photos

photo Przemysław Kaczmarek

The project was produced by The Zbigniew Raszewski Theatre Institute as part of the Prague Quadrennial 2007.

Financed by the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.