Polygonum – is a project aiming at presenting the current situation in visual arts, as well as artistic trends and values set by the artists of Kujawsko-Pomorski district. This is the first edition that includes not only Bydgoszcz and Toruń, but the whole district.
1st Prize: Katarzyna Adaszewska
2nd Prize: Katarzyna Łyszkowska
3rd Prize: Beata Kaźmierczak

Project cofunded from the means of the Kujawsko-Pomorski District
Project cofunded from the budget of the City of Bydgoszcz
The „Polygonum” exhibition under auspices of the President of the City
of Bydgoszcz – Konstanty Dombrowicz

The POLYGONUM exhibition is the first to show the current trends and
status of modern art, presented by the artists of Pomorze and Kujawy.

The exhibition is organised by Municipal Gallery bwa in Bydgoszcz. The
exposition will be presented in the gallery from 4th till 30th
September, 2007. Having a form of contest, it will take place every
three years. The POLYGONUM exhibition is organised under the auspices
of the President of the City of Bydgoszcz, Konstanty Dombrowicz.

Jury:
Jerzy Brukwicki / President of the Jury, art critic, head of the
„Pokaz” Critics Gallery of Warsaw

Krzysztof Stanisławski / Member of the Jury, art critic and
independent curator, Warsaw

Piotr Janowczyk / Member of the Jury, art historian, graphic artist,
computer graphic artist, co-founder of the Arifex magazine, teacher at
the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw and at the Academy of Photography
in Warsaw.

The value of the project itself is its multidimensional nature – multidirectional character of presentation and artistic attitudes. I believe that today, with the wide spectrum of artistic creations, using only traditional forms of expression would practically make no sense. Modern art employs various techniques and means of expression. Its ways of creation constitute a peculiar polygon, which only as a whole gives the full outlook of art – in our case, the art of the district. Therefore I consider it very interesting that we present painting and graphic art based on computer technology, photography or installation. Within the Kujawsko-Pomorski district there are many interesting and worth noticing artists. Many of them present their art at important exhibitions and projects in Poland and abroad. It seemed right to create an atmosphere in which they could present themselves to their native audience. The exhibition is competitive in character. The artist who wanted to participate in the project had to submit their works to evaluation by a Jury – which, in turn, was chosen by the Gallery. The judging panel, consisting of art historians and independent curators, was chosen so that it would represent the younger, middle and older generations. It was important for me to have the creators from each generation at the final exhibition. It would be a mistake to think that only the young are able to create works reflecting the present times, or that the experienced, award-winning artists have a monopoly on participating in the exhibition. Forty three artists submitted their works for the competition. The Jury, having debated for many hours, chosen 18 artists for the competition, thus creating a cohesive, unambiguous presentation. Some may say, forty three people is not much, considering the artistic potential of the district. Well, this is the first project (it will be organised on three years basis) and maybe now many artists just watch to see what level and popularity this project will gain in this year´s edition. I think that the current exhibition, its value and importance within the sphere of Polish art, will bear fruit in subsequent editions, increasing its artistic potential. Considering only one fact – that a change of generations takes place, a change of artistic values which results in a new quality of artistic thinking – this gives hope for strong representation of the art of our district in the Polish and European sphere. Wacław Kuczma, July 2007 /catalogue introduction/