Magdalena Abakanowicz in Dresden
2 October 2020 – 18 April 2021
Curators of the exhibition: Iwona Dorota Bigos, Konstanze Rudert
The Albertinum in Dresden is exhibiting the jute sculptures by Abakanowicz from the collection of the National Museum in Wrocław, while the Four Domes Pavilion in Wrocław (MNWr) is hosting an installation created by Günther Uecker. Both exhibitions are presented simultaneously in Dresden and in Wrocław with the same title and are accompanied by an extensive educational programme.
A group entitled Tłum (Crowd), comprising 26 figures created by Magdalena Abakanowicz in the period 1986–1994, together with her other celebrated pieces called Abakany, remains one of the most widely recognizable works by that artist.
The human shape is a continuously repeated element in her artistic creations, and the motif of a group of standardized headless forms, thus deprived of their autonomy as faces and figures, opens up a wide scope for possible interpretation. They can represent anyone, from the past, the present and the future.
These figures, multiplied and arranged in a silent but forward-moving crowd can be a symbol of both protest and destructive power, as well as of powerlessness destined for destruction. A meaningful comment to the latter work (Tłum) comes in the form of another showcased piece by the same artist – Klatka (Cage), which depicts a headless imprisoned figure.
The Sandmühle (Sand Mill) installation by Günther Uecker is available at the Four Domes Pavilion from 25/10/2020 to 24/01/2021.
Both presentations are accompanied by an extensive educational program.
The project is co-organised by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute.
— Günther Uecker in the Four Domes Pavilion ➸
— Photo report from the press conference in Dresden ➸
— Opening of the exhibition in Dresden – photo report ➸