Date: 1982
Size: 38 x 27 inches
Artist: Piotr Wolynski
About the Artist: Piotr Wolynski was born in Poznań, Poland in 1959. Visual Artist, active since the late 1970s in the field of creative photography. He studied philosophy and cultural studies at Adam Mickiewicz in Poznań. Apart from his art project, he writes texts about art and organises exhibitions, conferences and other critical and artistic events. Since 1985, he has been associated with University of Arts in Poznań, initially as an assistant lecturer in Prof. Stefan Wojnecki’s studio, and since the 1990s running his own studio. He is the author of over ten solo exhibitions and has taken part in dozens of group exhibitions.
About the Poster: Beginning in the 1950s and through the 1980s, the Polish School of Posters combined the aesthetics of painting with the succinctness and simple metaphor of the poster. It developed characteristics such as painterly gesture, linear quality, and vibrant colors, as well as a sense of individual personality, humor, and fantasy. It was in this way that the polish poster was able to make the distinction between designer and artist less apparent.
Polish posters have come to stand apart from the advertising design conventions fostered in Europe during the 20th century. It was during the communist regime, a time when culture was closely monitored by the state, that Polish artists found liberation in poster art. Ironically, this foremost public art form became ground for individual expression. During that period, the cultural institutions, of theatre and cinema especially, flourished as they were funded by government agencies. Artists freshly out of the fine arts academy flocked towards poster production as the demand for this art was rapidly growing. The result became some of the most unique and expressive posters the world has ever seen - and artworks in themselves.
About the play: The play is set in a non-defined time in the home of Stomil and Eleonora, parents of Artur (student of medicine). The home is disorganized, not only because of the way it is furnished, but also through the complete lack of house rules and common values; everyone can do whatever they want. In addition, many unneeded objects like a baby carriage, an old wedding dress, and a cataflaque after Artur grandfather's death, can be found in there. It seems that "perplexity" may be the word that describes their lives best. Despite Artur’s attempts being bound to fail, he tries to make rules and grant some things meaning. Artur tries to coax his grandmother to use the catafalque, revolts against his father's slovenliness and his mother’s double standards of morality. He himself wants to have a traditional wedding, however he fails. Artur, while organizing the reception, forgets to declare his feelings toward his fiancée, causing her to think he’s indifferent to her and, in consequence, she claims to have an affair with Edek. Furthermore, his grandmother dies, and Artur is killed by Edek. The drama ends with a tango dance, symbolizing simplicity, primitivism, and mass culture; meaning those "values" won. Edek announces that he is taking control over the home and that everyone must listen to him and follow his rules from now on. (Wikipedia)
Ready to frame!