In June 2024, we invited you for a walk down Szewska Street, where we present a preview of the 22nd SURVIVAL Art Review exhibition, whose theme is Frenzy and Independence.
The main theme of this year’s SURVIVAL is Romanticism: a question of which meanings and values derived from the Polish – as well as regional and European – Romantic tradition persist to this day and how they shape our perception of contemporary reality.
One of the reproduced artworks exhibited did not appeal to some conservative “influencers” to such an extent that we issued a statement in the form of a post on Facebook:
We absolutely did not expect that Ania Grzymała’s artwork “Take off your uniform, apologize to your mother 2” would be perceived by some viewers in such a misleading and distorting way. We are shocked that once again someone is trying to interpret the exhibition in a way that clearly serves to fuel a political narrative.
Ania Grzymała’s piece “Take off your uniform, apologize to your mother 2” was created three years ago and is in no way connected to recent events. The death of a Polish soldier is a tragedy, and we are firmly against instrumentalizing this tragedy for political or any other purposes. It is undeniable that, in such a dramatic situation, drawing non-existent connections solely to provoke negative emotions is a clear manifestation of hybrid warfare, and those fueling these emotions are its main actors.
As the Art Transparent Foundation, we always openly disclose the sources of funding for our activities, and we share this information publicly – on our website, posters, leaflets, and other promotional materials. We believe it is worth considering who funds those who deceive the public solely to increase reach and destabilize public sentiment.
Each year, we apply for funding, including from the Municipality of Wrocław, which allows us to carry out an ambitious, inclusive program aimed at the residents of Wrocław. In addition to art exhibitions, we organize exhibition walks for seniors; as well as guided tours with audio description, in Polish Sign Language, with induction loops, for people on the autism spectrum and autistic individuals, and for people experiencing mental health crises. For the past ten years, we have been conducting walks for children and parents with infants. We publish materials on art, art history, and figures associated with Wrocław – especially women and queer individuals.
The Art Transparent Foundation is a public benefit organization, a delegate to the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum for the 2024–2026 cycle in the working group “Contacts between people,” and a partner organization in many projects, both Polish, European, and intercontinental. It collaborates with organizations from countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Guinea, Zambia, Armenia, Ukraine, Turkey, and EU member states.
The SURVIVAL Art Review is a contemporary art festival organized since 2003 in Wrocław by the Art Transparent Foundation. SURVIVAL takes place outside of traditional exhibition institutions – often in abandoned or everyday inaccessible spaces, sometimes in public buildings and open spaces. The history of a specific location determines the nature of the artistic intervention and inspires the topics addressed by artists and the way works are presented. Each year, SURVIVAL co-finances and produces dozens of brand-new art projects. A vital part of the Review is its rich social program.
The SURVIVAL Art Review is a cultural event appreciated by the Polish art community and international institutions. The organizers – the director and president of the Art Transparent Foundation – were honored in 2023 with the Bronze Cross of Merit awarded by the President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda, at the request of the Lower Silesian Voivode, Jarosław Obremski. The SURVIVAL Art Review has received the Honorary Patronage of the Mayor of Wrocław for many years. Additionally, the president of the foundation was twice awarded a medal by the Mayor of Wrocław for contributions to the city’s culture – the most recent being the “Meritio de Wratislavia – Distinguished for Wrocław” awarded by Mayor Jacek Sutryk in 2022.
We had been preparing the exhibition for the 22nd SURVIVAL Art Review for many months. We began our initial work back in August 2023. We announced the open call in January 2024 and closed it at the end of February. We received 326 proposals for artistic projects. Then the curatorial team deliberated on selecting the artworks. We publicly announced the selected artists on April 2, 2024. From that point on, we worked on shaping the exhibition. Creating such a large art exhibition is a long, months-long process.
Wrocław Mayor Jacek Sutryk, who granted the 22nd SURVIVAL Art Review the Honorary Patronage of the Mayor of the City, posted a statement on platform X (content at the end of the post).
City Councilors of the Civic Coalition responded to the post:
Dear Mr. Mayor,
we urge you to respect the autonomy of culture and art. It is evident that artistic activities often provoke discussions on issues vital to every civic community. This is the public role of artists in democracy. Democracy is a space for disputes, discussions, and ongoing negotiation.
The artist is not violating any law, and censoring art is not the city’s role. Art must remain a sphere of creative and intellectual freedom.
Signed by Members of the City Council.
Our appeal is a response to the Mayor’s statement:
“I do not approve of presenting art in public space that divides or offends.
The Szewska Pasja Gallery is run by the Art Transparent Foundation, which is responsible for the works displayed there. The city is also not the owner of the displays on which the works are shown.
I do not support, especially in these uneasy times at the border, any clear criticism of the people who defend us and our borders.
Public space belongs to the residents, and it is important that what appears there indeed inspires dialogue, but not animosity.
I have shared my opinion with the Art Transparent Foundation, responsible for the content displayed on Szewska Street.”
Critics’ Statements and Voices from the Community
The hate directed at Ania Grzymała became one of the key topics in the 2024 visual arts roundup by Mint Magazine.
Read more ↓
