The courtyard of the Faculty of Architecture and the Faculty of Engineering Management of the Poznań University of Technology displayed Piotr Uklański's work "The Year We Made Contact". The Musical Theatre in Poznan received the installation as a donation from Grażyna Kulczyk.
Until the new headquarters is built, it will be displayed in the building of the Poznan University of Technology.
So far, Piotr Uklański's installation has adorned the hall of the Blow Up hotel in Stary Browar, where it was on display in 2010.
I donated Piotr Uklański's installation to the thriving Musical Theatre in Poznan. I want this unique work to reach its new location and be admired by thousands of visitors. I am glad that it will be temporarily displayed in the extraordinary courtyard of the Faculty of Architecture of the Poznan University of Technology. My mission is to share and provide access to cultural works, which led to the idea of building an art museum – says Grażyna Kulczyk.
The official handover of the work by Grażyna Kulczyk took place during a press briefing on Saturday, October 14, which was also attended by the Rector of the Poznan University of Technology, prof. Teofil Jesionowski, Chancellor of Łukasz Kalupa, director of the Musical Theatre Przemysław Kieliszewski and prof. Sławomir Rosolski, architect.
– I am glad that people important to the development of the city are joining the support for the construction of the Musical Theatre in Poznan. Handing over this work is a symbol and also a perfect excuse to start cooperation with the Poznan University of Technology - says director Przemysław Kieliszewski.
For the following three years, the installation will decorate the courtyard of the Faculty of Architecture and the Faculty of Engineering Management of the Poznan University of Technology.
- We care about culture and art, and we have been proving it for many years by organizing concerts and exhibitions. Today, in this building, we can show that combining culture and technology is our domain. I am very glad this piece of art will inspire students of the Poznan University of Technology - says Rector of the Poznan University of Technology, prof. Teofil Jesionowski
The temporary transfer of the work is the beginning of cross-sectoral cooperation between the Poznan University of Technology and the Musical Theatre in Poznan.
The work "The Year We Made Contact" by Piotr Uklański is 12 meters wide and 5.5 meters high, and its main element is a huge textural material - a tapestry that refers to the atmosphere of the theatre of Tadeusz Kantor and Józef Szajna, as well as the tradition of Polish artistic weaving of 1960s and 1970s. An integral part of the work is a free-standing, round red painting entitled "Red Dwarf" that fits into the pictorial field. The title of the installation refers to a science-fiction film from the 1980s, and "Red Dwarf" is a visual interpretation of a fading star.
The work has a theatrical character, especially since it was performed in the workshops of the Grand Theatre in Łódź.
- I am thrilled that we finally achieved our goal. There were a lot of obstacles along the way: creating a non-standard contract, then insuring the work. It seemed that some of them might stop us, but it is in our nature not to give up, so we managed to overcome all difficulties - emphasises the Chancellor of the Poznań University of Technology, Łukasz Kalupa.
- As the designer of this facility, I am pleased because a building is well designed when it is truly alive. The building's designer, Prof. Sławomir Rosolski, believes that this work and the building's ecology can inspire more activities between the Musical Theatre and the Poznan University of Technology.
Ultimately, the work will be displayed in the new seat of the Theatre at the corner of Swiety Marcin and Skosna Streets. If there are no delays at the tender and construction stages, the building will be handed over by the end of 2026 as planned.
Sonia Kobylańska-Jóźwik – Teatr Muzyczny w Poznaniu
Beata Czerkas – Politechnika Poznańska
