Polish Design Elementary in Toronto (Canada)

Among the 100 designs, in addition to furniture, glass or porcelain – objects commonly associated with design – are less obvious things: typefaces, logos, children’s toys, a locomotive, a neon sign, a glider, a scooter, and even Poland’s tastiest treat Ptasie Mleczko and Ringo, a Polish sports game. On display are both contemporary designs and those that have managed to become classics. Uniques, verging on one-off works of art; prototypes that never entered mass production; but also very popular items that Poles have been using on a daily basis for the last 100 years.

The exhibition also links the past with the present, showcasing the achievements of Polish design through the achievements of contemporary Polish printmaking. This is because we are presenting 100 works by Polish designers interpreted by twenty-five Polish illustrators – artists with very different achievements: experienced masters of the Polish school of illustration, illustrators of the young and middle generation winning awards around the world today, and quite young illustrators who have just graduated. Most of the invited illustrators illustrate children’s books while also working in the field of visual communication in the broadest sense. They present a variety of styles and techniques, all of them united by great talent.

The exhibition is not only about 100 objects and 100 of their visual interpretations, it is also about 100 stories: about designers, about needs, about dreams, about possibilities and about limitations. It tells not only about specific projects. It also shows what the design process is about, how ideas are created and, ultimately, what an amazing concept design is – the closest art to man, which we are all surrounded by, which we interact with every day and without which we could not do without, although we often do not realise this.

The presentation of the projects in chronological order shows that in the 100-year history of Polish design, certain materials, themes and forms have been recurring, taking on ever new faces. The exhibition is aimed at the general public, including the youngest generation. It was created to celebrate the centenary of Poland’s independence.

The illustrators taking part in the exhibition:

Jacek Ambrożewski, Edgar Bak, Maciek Blaźniak, Katarzyna Bogucka, Ada Buchholc, Iwona Chmielewska, Robert Czajka, Agata Dudek, Emilia Dziubak, Małgorzata Gurowska, Monika Hanulak, Marta Ignerska, Tymek Jezierski, Paweł Jońca, Agata Królak, Grażka Lange, Patryk Mogilnicki, Piotr Młodożeniec, Ania Niemierko, Ola Niepsuj, Marianna Oklejak, Paweł Pawlak, Dawid Ryski, Marianna Sztyma.

The project is part of the international cultural programme POLSKA 100, coordinated by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute and implemented as part of the 2017-2022 UNPODLEGOLE Multiannual Programme. Funded by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage as part of the 2017-2022 UNPODLEGOLE Multiannual Programme.

Curator: Ewa Solarz

Exhibition arrangement: concrete – Marta and Lech Rowiński

Organiser: Adam Mickiewicz Institute.

Co-organiser: Regional Museum in Stalowa Wola

Partner: Polish Consulate in Canada

Sponsor: KGHM

Coordinator: Adam Mickiewicz Institute: Małgorzata Miśkowiec

Museum Coordinator: Magdalena Kołtunowicz, tel: (15) 842 02 07 ext. 15, e-mail: mkoltunowicz@muzeum.stalowawola.pl