ALTERNATIVA's 'Materiality' Exhibition Explores Art's Present Tense at Gdansk Shipyards

Between May 26 and September 30, 2012, the historic shipyards in Gdansk, Poland, were the venue for ALTERNATIVA's exhibition titled 'Materiality,' held in Hall 90b at the Wyspa Institute of Art. This exhibition showcased over 30 pieces that delved into themes of materiality and political history, featuring works such as 'Reconstruction of the Shipyard's Broadcasting Center' (2012) by Katarzyna Krakowiak, 'Nazhad' (2009/12) by Hiwa K., 'Transience' (2012) by Lex Pott, and 'Sights' (2010/12) by Katarzyna Jozefowicz. Additionally, a related exhibition named 'Wyspa: Now is Now,' curated by Ewa Malgorzata Tatar and Dominik Kurylek, reinterpreted the archives of the Wyspa Progress Foundation, which was established in 2004 under director Aneta Szylak and has roots in the sculpture students of the 1980s, highlighting art's societal impact in Gdansk's narrative.