Witkacy: Sejsmograf epoki przyspieszenia

Exhibition devoted to the works of Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz, one of the most outstanding artists of the 20th century. He was a versatile artist, philosopher, writer, and a penetrating critic of civilization.

His uncompromising nature and consistency in following his own path fascinate us to this day. Witkacy drew inspiration from various artistic and scientific achievements and reacted to the modernity surrounding him. He was a witness of history, World War I and the October Revolution, a recorder of the manifestations of the acceleration of civilization which contributed to the mechanization of individual life. His choices and intuitions often turn out to be up-to-date.

The exhibition focuses on Witkacy's creative attitude, which shatters conventional thinking about art. Instead of a chronological narrative - from Landscape, through Pure Form, to Portrait Company - it offers an overview of themes important to the artist himself and to modern art. These include: the cosmos, the body, history, movement, original artistic vision, the psychological intensity of metaphysical experience, and sociological reflection. An important aspect of the proposed interpretation of Witkacy's work is also showing his performative and para-artistic activities as belonging to the field of art. Works from various periods of the artist's career will be confronted with visions of the avant-garde – Vasil Kandinsky, Max Ernst, Rudolf Schlichter, Umberto Boccioni and Marcel Duchamp. Witkacy's achievements against this background prove a deep kinship with artistic phenomena of key importance to European culture of the interwar period. The exhibition at the National Museum in Warsaw will include Witkacy's works from the Museum's own collection and from numerous museums and institutions in Poland, as well as rarely presented works from private collections. It comprises over 400 works – paintings, drawings, pastels and photographs. The exhibition will be complemented by video footage and archival materials, as well as iconic works of international avant-garde artists. An extensive programme of events and a bilingual publication will accompany the exhibition.