Poland in Canada

It's no simple feat to encapsulate 100 years of Polish design limited to just 100 objects. How can one select the most important ones, or avoid the temptation of showing icons only? What can one do to capture the interest of an audience beyond the experts? How can one present the diversity of fields within design?

With these questions in mind, the 100 designs shown in The ABCs of Polish design, an exhibit curated by Ewa Solarz, not only include items traditionally associated with design like furniture, glass, and porcelain, but also less obvious things from fonts to logos to kids’ toys (a neon, a sailplane, a scooter). In addition to the diversity in the categorization of these objects, the pieces also vary in ubiquity with more singular contemporary designs, such as unique art objects and prototypes that have never entered mass production, alongside very popular pieces that have been used daily by Poles for the last 100 years. This sampling of Polish culture will even feature the chocolate and meringue Polish treat Ptasie Mleczko, as well as a rubber ring called Ringo – a Polish sports game.

 

The exhibition merges past and present, interpreting the heritage of Polish design through the lens of contemporary Polish graphics: each object in the display will be accompanied by a corresponding graphic design created by 25 Polish illustrators. This group of visual artists includes people at various stages of their careers from experienced masters of the Polish school of illustration to emerging and established designers, renowned around the globe, to recent graduates with a fresh perspective. Most of these 25 artists illustrate children's books, while simultaneously working within the broader industry of visual communication. Though each illustrator uses different styles and techniques, they all have huge talent in common.

 

Through these 100 designs and visual interpretations, emerge 100 stories about designers, needs, dreams, possibilities and limitations. The projects on display will provide a portal into the design process and the amazing nature of design in general, as the field of art with the closest connection to people. The exhibit shines a spotlight on the omnipresence and necessity of design in each person’s day-to-day life, a fact that is often overlooked. The objects are presented in chronological order, highlighting the way certain materials, topics and forms recur throughout the last 100 years of Polish design. The exhibition aims to address a broad audience, including the youngest generation.

The exhibition The ABCs of Polish design can be visited from 18 January to 16 February 2020 at The Bakery (2 Fraser Avenue) in Toronto. Detailed schedule available at designto.org

Events:

18 January , 5 p.m. – official opening of the exhibition

18 January 2020 – curated tour

19 January, 3 p.m. – workshops for kids

 

The exhibition is organized by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute as part of the international cultural programme accompanying the centenary of Poland regaining independence. Co-organized by the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Toronto.

Financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland as part of the multi-annual programme NIEPODLEGŁA 2017–2022.

More information about Polish culture worldwide at www.culture.pl.                          

Explore the history of Polish design at designguide.pl

 

Organizer: The Adam Mickiewicz Institute

Co-organizer: Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Toronto

Partners: DesignTO, KGHM Polska Miedz, York Heritage Properties

Curator: Ewa Solarz