Dangerous Liaisons Exhibition in Poznań Examines Polish Critical Art of the 1990s
In April and May of 2002, the City Gallery “Arsenal” in Poznań showcased an exhibition called Dangerous Liaisons, curated by Izabella Kowalczyk. This exhibition focused on critical art, an important movement in Polish contemporary art from the 1990s. It included works from artists like Artur Żmijewski, Alicja Żebrowska, and Dorota Nieznalska, among others. The show delved into themes surrounding art, the body, and societal expectations, featuring pieces such as Libera’s film How Little Girls Are Trained and Żmijewski’s KR WP. Despite facing some institutional challenges and public discussions, media coverage was fairly low-key. A related book was also released in 2002.
Key facts
- Exhibition Dangerous Liaisons held April-May 2002 at City Gallery “Arsenal” in Poznań
- Curated by Izabella Kowalczyk
- Featured artists: Artur Żmijewski, Alicja Żebrowska, Dorota Nieznalska, Zbigniew Libera, Konrad Kuzyszyn, Zofia Kulik, Katarzyna Kozyra, Grzegorz Kowalski, Grzegorz Klaman, Anna Baumgart
- Accompanied by book Dangerous Liaisons Between Art and Body published 2002
- Focused on Polish critical art of the 1990s dealing with the body and power
- Referenced earlier exhibition Scene 2000 at Centre for Contemporary Art at Ujazdowski Castle in Warsaw
- Noted past controversies including reactions to Katarzyna Kozyra’s Bonds of Blood and destruction of Piotr Uklanski’s work at Zachęta Gallery
- Local newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza suggested an adults-only warning for the exhibition
Entities
Artists
- Agata Jakubowska
- Artur Żmijewski
- Alicja Żebrowska
- Dorota Nieznalska
- Zbigniew Libera
- Konrad Kuzyszyn
- Zofia Kulik
- Katarzyna Kozyra
- Grzegorz Kowalski
- Grzegorz Klaman
- Anna Baumgart
- Izabella Kowalczyk
- Piotr Uklanski
- Choderlos de Laclos
Institutions
- City Gallery “Arsenal”
- Centre for Contemporary Art at Ujazdowski Castle
- Zachęta Gallery
- Gazeta Wyborcza
- ARTMargins Online
- Art Magazine (Magazyn Sztuki)
Locations
- Poznań
- Poland
- Warsaw