Frank Stella's Polish Village Series at POLIN Museum
The POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw presents 'Frank Stella and Synagogues of Historic Poland', an exhibition that juxtaposes 38 works from Stella's Polish Village series (1970-1973) with archival materials, including photographs, sketches, and architectural drawings of wooden synagogues destroyed during World War II. The show challenges Stella's famous dictum 'What you see is what you see' by providing extensive contextual documentation. The series was inspired by the book 'Wooden Synagogues' (1959) by Maria and Kazimierz Piechotka. The exhibition, curated by Artur Tanikowski, divides the space into five micro-worlds corresponding to Polish regions, offering an immersive experience that reveals the creative process behind Stella's shaped canvases. On view until June 20, 2016.
Key facts
- Frank Stella (born 1936 in Malden) created the Polish Village series between 1970 and 1973.
- The series was inspired by the book 'Wooden Synagogues' (1959) by Maria and Kazimierz Piechotka.
- The book documented wooden synagogues in Poland that were destroyed during World War II.
- The exhibition at POLIN Museum includes 38 works from the Polish Village series.
- The show pairs Stella's shaped canvases with archival photos, preparatory collages, and original architectural drawings.
- The exhibition space is divided into five micro-worlds, each dedicated to a different Polish region.
- The exhibition is curated by Artur Tanikowski.
- The exhibition runs until June 20, 2016 at POLIN Museum in Warsaw.
Entities
Artists
- Frank Stella
Institutions
- POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews
- Artribune
Locations
- Warsaw
- Poland
- Malden