Warsaw has a new place for art and design fans. "More than just a collection of ideas from contemporary designers"

The Visteria Foundation opens a new place on the cultural map of Poland with an exhibition on design "Romantic Brutalism. A Journey into the Depths of Polish Craftsmanship and Design". What can we expect from it?

The exhibition, which brings together the best artists of the new generation, premiered at Milan Design Week and hailed by The New York Times as one of the 12 most important during this year's edition, is available in Warsaw until May 14. "Romantic Brutalism. A Journey into the Depths of Polish Craftsmanship and Design" inaugurates the opening of a new place established by the Visteria Foundation , which will present art and design. The seat of the institution is the historic Villa Gawroński at Al. Ujazdowskie 23 .

"Romantic Brutalism. A Journey into Polish Craft and Design" is a showcase of the work of a new generation of Polish designers and a presentation of their work in the context of the rich heritage of Polish craft and design . The exhibition is a distinct and well-thought-out curatorial concept , which is also a reflective look at the approach to design characteristic of our country.

Romantic Brutalism Exhibition. A Journey into Polish Craftsmanship and Design / photo: Tomo Yarmush, press materials

Most importantly, we managed to capture the dynamic creative movement that took shape in Poland after 1918, exactly 100 years after the premiere of the famous Polish Salon in Paris , placing contemporary ideas in a broader dialogue with the history of Polish design and its evolution over the years.

The exhibition allows the audience to immerse themselves in a story about nature and post-nature and shows how the influences of brutalism, romanticism, decadence, folk art and art deco continue to shape contemporary Polish design culture. The exhibition includes works by Jan Ankiersztajn , Marcin Rusak , Marek Bimer , Zofia Chylak , Agnieszka Owsiany , Aleksandra Zawistowska and Marcin Kuberna . The curator is Federica Sala , a critic of applied art.

In total, the works of 37 artists will be shown in the Gawroński Villa – 26 contemporary and 11 historical. The exhibition partner is the Adam Mickiewicz Institute , and selected historical works come from public institutions and private collections.

- This exhibition is more than just a collection of the latest ideas from contemporary designers. It is a unique story about how deeply rooted craft traditions are in Polish culture. Today's design in Poland appears as a dialogue between what is natural and what goes beyond its framework, between tradition and modernity, and materials such as wood, glass or fabric still have the power to build stories filled with emotion and beauty - says Federica Sala , curator of the exhibition.

Romantic Brutalism Exhibition. A Journey into Polish Craftsmanship and Design / photo: Tomo Yarmush, press materials

Zuza Paradowska from the Paradowski studio is responsible for the scenography and design of the exhibition, reminiscent of a theatrical arrangement.

The exhibition can be viewed until May 14.

The Visteria Foundation , established by Katarzyna Jordan , is tasked with supporting the development of artistic crafts and design and promoting Polish artists abroad. Its goal is to become a platform for education and promotion of this type of art and a partner institution for similar entities in Europe .

– We want to build a bridge between the Polish and global art markets. It is important for us to draw the attention of the international audience to Central and Eastern Europe and to contemporary artists who reinterpret design and artistic craftsmanship. These are hot topics in the world of contemporary art, so this is the perfect time for global promotion of locally recognized craftsmen – says Katarzyna Jordan , founder of the Visteria Foundation .