'MEET THE DANES', KRAKOW, Autumn 2002
MEET THE DANES was the first so comprehensive presentation of Danish culture in the Malopolska-region, initiated and organized by the Danish Cultural Institute in Poland in cooperation with the County of Malopolska and its partner regions from Denmark: The County of Copenhagen and The County of Fynen, thus celebrating the 10th anniversary of cooperation in such fields as nature protection, health service, care of the disabled people etc. The purpose of the project was to present various aspects of Danish cultural life, especially that of the regions Copenhagen and Fynen, in Malopolska. Special attention is paid to the topics Denmark is highly respected for, such as design, film, children's literature etc.
Following events were included in the project:
EXHIBITION OF DANISH HANDICRAFT UNIKA 03-30.09, The Center of Japanese Art and Technics Manggha.
The exhibition showed the latest tendencies in the Danish handicraft: 50 artists presented their works in glass, textile, metal as well as ceramics, jewellery, furniture etc. The presentation was to inspire the discussion on the directions and challenges of the todays hadicraft: The technological development and computerisation of the process of creation will involve a new revolution and be a threat for handicrafts in favour of the industrial production and design. The ability to use different materials and creativity in the light of the new challenges are the main aspects of the discussion in which the exhibition UNIKA is the main voice. It shows the way the young generation of Danish artists refer to these challenges as well as to the Danish handicraft tradition. The works presented showed both the Danish as well as the international tendencies in this field. (See Events: UNIKA - exhibition on Danish handicraft)
CONCERT OF THE QUARTET NORDLYS 25.09 in K. Szymanowski's Philharmony.
The quartet NORDLYS had its debut in 1997 and consists of young musicians, mostly graduates from Odense Conservatorium: Christine Michaela Pryn (violin), Asger Henriksen (clarinet), Joachim Olsson (piano), Frederik Waage (cello). The quartet plays both contemporary and classical music. The concert in Cracow comprised compositions by three Danish contemporary composers as well as the most outstanding Danish composer Carl Nielsen (1865-1931).
EXHIBITION ARNE JACOBSEN - MASTER OF DANISH DESIGN 25.09-14.11, Galeria BB.
ARNE JACOBSEN - EXHIBITION 27.10-30.10, The Academy of Art.
SEMINAR ARNE JACOBSEN AND DANISH DESIGN 06.11, Malopolski Osrodek Kultury (main organizer).
The architect and designer Arne Jacobsen (1902-71) was presented to the Polish public in the year 2000 on the exhibitions of Danish design in Poznan (Arne Jacobsen and Contemporary Danish Design) and in Warsaw (Danish Design). Except of many well-known architectonic projects realized worldwide, Arne Jacobsen designed furniture, lamps, stainless steel pottery, textiles etc. To his most important achievements belong chairs Ant and No.7, armchairs Egg and Swane as well as the stainless steel pottery set Cylinda-Line. The artist mastered a combination of tasks - from complex architectonic projects to a single teaspoon or an ashtray, though always focusing highest attention on details. Jacobsen's projects have contributed to the creation of the image of a design associated with Danish design by the people worldwide, as well as by Danes themselves. This image is based on such qualities as functionality, simplicity and high quality. In 2002, through a series of exhibitions both locally and abroad, Denmark was celebrating the 100-anniversary of the artist's birth: The exhibition Arne Jacobsen - Master of Danish Design was arranged in co-operation with the companies Fritz Hansen, Louis Poulsen and Stelton. (See Events: Arne Jacobsen - Master of Danish Design)
EXHIBITION DANISH EXLIBRIS from the collections of The Raczynski Library in Poznan and Frederikshavn Kunstmuseum in Denmark 25.09-20.10, Podgorska Biblioteka Publiczna.
Warmness and humour are striking features in the Danish exlibris presented, which is at variance with the Polish stereotype of Denmark - cool and severe. Where has the Danish exlibris come from to Poland? The presented piece of collection from the Raczynski Library and its history testifies the force of human passions and breaking of borders, even in so difficult times like those before 1989. They make only a small part of the whole collection totalling 400 works donated to the Library by Mr. Klemens Raczak. The exhibition is supplemented with a collection from the Art Museum in Frederikshavn, that is in the possession of one of the biggest collections of exlibris in the world, amounting to 300,000 works. The interesting elements of the exhibition are works made by Danish artists for their Polish friends as well as by Poles for Danes, thereby proving the close and long-lasting contacts between Polish and Danish exlibris passionates. (See Events: Exhibition Danish Ex Libris)
EXHIBITION KAREN BLIXEN - LIFE AND WORK 25.09-30.10, City library (Miejska Biblioteka Publiczna), Krzeszowice near Krakow.
The legend of Karen Blixen (1885-1962), the world-famous Danish 20th century writer, is alive in Denmark not only in literary circles, for whom the writer has long been a point of reference and source of inspiration. Severely tried by life, she fascinated people with her unique personality, wisdom and literary skills. The legend of Karen Blixen has embraced the places where she lived: The African farm and her family home in Rungsted near Copenhagen, where today the Museum of Karen Blixen is located. Also in Poland Karen Blixen and her literature have become very popular. The exhibition showed Karen Blixen's complicated life, her friendships and loves, artistic fascinations, drawings and paintings as well as her achievements as writer. (See Events: Exhibition Karen Blixen - Life and Work)
A RETROSPECTIVE OF BILLE AUGUST'S FILMS 27.09-04.10, Cinema Kino pod Baranami.
Bille August belongs to the group of the best known Danish film directors. Born in 1948, he became appreciated by the critics worldwide for the pictures Pelle the Conqueror, Good Intentions and The House of Spirits. Following films were presented during the retrospective: In My Life (1078) Zappa (1983) World of Buster (1984) Twist and Shout (1984) Pelle the Conqueror (1987).
PHOTO EXHIBITION EXISTENCE 27.09-13.10 The Museum of the History of Photography.
The photo exhibition arranged by Galleri Image from Århus and Museum Frederiksborg Slot presented photographs by six contemporary Danish artists: Torben Eskerod (b.1960) - Faces, Joachim Eskildsen (b. 1971) - Requiem, Charlotte Haslund-Christensen (b. 1963) - Inner City, Thyra Hilden (b. 1972) - Red Out, Johny Jensen (b.1965) - Meeting Places, Lisbeth Nielsen (b. 1957) - Sweet Reality The theme of the presentation was existence - perceived as a continuous and incessant process of which incompleteness is an inseparable feature - pictured in six different ways and through different subjects, e.g. landscape, interior and portrait, in various techniques. The presented photographs reflected a dialogue between traditional formalism in photography and the political and social nature of art. (See Events: Photo Exhibition Existence)
CONCERTS OF K. SZYMANOWSKI'S PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA conducted by Tadeusz Strugala, Christine Michaela Pryn (Denmark) - violin, Elzbieta Towarnicka - soprano, 4.10 and 5.10, K.Szymanowski's Philharmony.
The concerts celebrated the 120th anniversary of K. Szymanowski's birth, thus emphasizing the fact of presence of the composer's works in the repertoires of young, foreign artists. Christine Michaela Pryn (b.1976) had her official debut in 2001 together with The Odense Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jan Krenz and got remarkable reviews. Christine has received several scholarships from different reputable music foundations. Her repertoire is wide and ranges from baroque, through classical and romantic to contemporary music. She cooperates both with Danish and foreign composers and plays in the quartet Nordlys (Northern Light). Christine Michaela Pryn is especially keen on Polish music and likes to perform in Poland - she has already performed in Wroclaw, Warszawa, Zakopane and Gorzow. (See Events: Concerts by Christine Michaela Pryn)
EXHIBITION BJÖRN WIINBLAD - POSTERS AND BOOK ILLUSTRATIONS 18.10-03.11 Nowohuckie Centrum Kultury.
Björn Wiinblad is a versatile artist, very popular in Denmark and abroad, who has been active for 60 years now. His wide output ranges from posters, book-illustrations and scenography to textile, glass, porcelain, ceramics and interior design. This extremely talented artist gains inspiration from various sources and his artistic excavations within so different fields of art make it impossible to classify his activity. His works performed in a fairytale mood, warm and full of joy of life, are surely a surprise for the people used to Scandinavian simplicity and pureness. The works made by Wiinblad are presented in many museums, e.g. in Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Museum of Modern Art in New York, National Museum in Stockholm and Museum of Handicraft in Copenhagen. (See Events: Poster and Porcelain - exhibition by Björn Wiinblad)
PROJECT READING CHILDREN'S BOOKS IN DENMARK.
The project included two exhibitions on Danish children's books and a seminar, and was supposed to raise a discussion on reading among children in Poland and undertake a series of educational activities in the public libraries of Malopolskie Voivodship. Main organizer: Malopolskie Centrum Kultury.
EXHIBITION A WORLD OF WONDERS - Danish Children's Books 25.09-25.10, City Library in Trzebinia near Krakow.
The exhibition in an interesting way presented the children's books: It was buit up into theme groups - starting with the fairy tales by the world famous Hans Christian Andersen, through books about animals and other countries, to those depicting a family life and a child's birth. The attractiveness of the exhibition was based on its interactivness: A young visitor had the possibility to touch and browse the books. The exhibition was prepared by the Danish Literature Center. (See Events: Exhibition A World of Wonders - Danish Children's Books)
EXHIBITION THE MAGIC WORLD OF BOOKS - DANISH CHILDREN'S BOOKS, 24-27.10, 6th Book Fair.
The exhibition was mainly focused on book illustrations, thus showing new tendencies in the Danish artists' understanding of the role of an illustration: Now, it is not only depicting the text, but is a means of expression and a piece of art itself. (See Events: Exhibition The Magic World of Books)
SEMINAR READING CHILDRENS' BOOKS IN DENMARK 27.11, Malopolskie Centrum Kultury (main organizer).
MUSIC IS LIFE - exhibition about Danish composer Carl Nielsen. Lecture by Karsten Eskildsen, the curator of The Museum of Carl Nielsen in Odense 05.12-30.12, Dworek Bialopradnicki Cultural Center.
The exhibition presents life and work of Carl Nielsen (1865-1931), the most famous Danish composer, from his early childhood spent on the Danish isle of Fynen, till the time when he became the central figure of the Danish and Nordic musical life. (See Events: Music Is Life - exhibition on the Danish composer Carl Nielsen)