The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA), in partnership with the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, presents Art of the Moving Image: Polish Animation and Film Avant-Garde. Running from December 6, 2024, to January 11, 2025, this monumental program delves into the rich history of Polish visual art, featuring 58 carefully curated works that span early animation, mid-20th-century avant-garde cinema, and contemporary video art. The exhibition offers a rare opportunity to explore the evolution of Poland's moving image culture, highlighting its unique visual language and its deep-rooted connection to the nation’s turbulent history.

The program, led by prominent curators Karol Szafraniec and Łukasz Ronduda, provides a critical lens on Polish audiovisual art as a response to political oppression, societal upheaval, and cultural transformation. Through experimental and avant-garde approaches, the works encapsulate Poland's complex past, from its absence as a sovereign state for 123 years to its re-emergence in the 20th century, followed by occupation during World War II and subsequent decades as a Soviet satellite state. The selected works illustrate the artists’ defiance against institutionalized violence, societal norms, and ideological conflicts while serving as mirrors to the aspirations, fears, and values of their communities.

The program begins with the pioneering Polish School of Animation, which emerged in the mid-20th century as a significant avant-garde movement, blending European experimental traditions with a distinct Polish sensibility. Renowned artists like Zbigniew Rybczyński, whose innovative works shaped global perceptions of Polish animation, are prominently featured. These early animations not only redefined the visual language of film but also laid the foundation for future explorations of form, movement, and narrative.

The exhibition transitions into the 1970s, a pivotal period when experimental cinema became a platform for emancipation and feminist expression. Visionary women artists such as Natalia LL and Ewa Partum pushed creative boundaries, exploring the aesthetic and material possibilities of the moving image. Their works challenged societal norms and redefined the relationship between art, identity, and corporeality. This feminist legacy continues into the 21st century, where contemporary Polish animation remains a vibrant field, driven by successive generations of female artists who embrace innovation while honoring tradition.

In its final segment, Art of the Moving Image highlights contemporary Polish artists who address present-day societal complexities through experimental film and video. Artists like Agnieszka Polska and Wojciech Bąkowski integrate historical cinematic traditions with urgent modern themes, reflecting on issues such as identity, media, and technology. Joanna Rajkowska’s works offer a thought-provoking exploration of humanity's relationship with non-human entities, while Norman Leto’s Photon and Heart of Love blend art and cinema into visionary narratives that transcend genre conventions.

As part of the program, MMCA hosts a series of engaging events, including lectures and artist talks that provide deeper insight into the works and the cultural context from which they emerged. On December 11, film scholar Hanna Margolis will deliver a lecture on the contributions of women to Polish animation. Notable artists such as Izabela Plucińska and Joanna Rajkowska will also participate in exclusive discussions, offering audiences a rare glimpse into their creative processes and artistic philosophies.

The exhibition serves as both a historical reflection and a contemporary dialogue, drawing compelling parallels between Poland’s past and Korea’s own experiences of political division, societal struggle, and cultural resilience. By juxtaposing the "golden age" of post-war Polish avant-garde cinema with modern trends, Art of the Moving Image underscores the enduring power of art to confront history, provoke thought, and inspire change.

Organized to commemorate the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Poland and Korea, the program marks a significant cultural exchange, introducing Korean audiences to the depth and diversity of Polish visual art. With its ambitious scope and profound themes, the exhibition promises to resonate with viewers, fostering a shared appreciation for art's capacity to navigate the complexities of human experience across time and borders.

Sayart / Maria Kim, sayart2022@gmail.com