“imaging poland” | hong kong design institute

From 13.09.2018 to 21.09.2018 Festival

ICoD is pleased to announce the Member Event “Imaging Poland” organised by Member Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI), together with University of the Arts Poznan, Poland (UAP).

“Imaging Poland” is an educational and cultural programme supported by the Consulate General of Poland in Hong Kong that showcases a selection of both still and animated images created by designers from UAP from 13 to 21 September 2018 at the HKDI campus. First Local Initiative Showcasing Both Still and Moving Images Created by Artists of University of Arts in Poznañ (Poland) from the Post-war Period to Contemporary Era.

The event features an interactive exhibition, a master lecture and screenings of a documentary movie and short animated films, offering both students and the general public a kaleidoscopic view of Polish design since the post-war period to contemporary era. The event is also part of the International Cultural Agenda established by UAP to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Poland regaining its independence.

Curated by Mateusz Bieczyñski, the exhibition showcases a selection of the very best Polish poster designs from 1928 up till now, with particular emphasis on works created for the film industry after 1989. It presents artists from older generation – e.g. Henryk Tomaszewski and Waldemar Úwierzy – as well as younger poster designers, such as: Tomasz Bogusùawski, Eugeniusz Skorwider, Lex Drewiñski, Grzegorz Marszaùek and Mirosùaw Adamczyk, Marcin Markowski, Max Skorwider, Szymon Szymankiewicz, Ùukasz Chmielewski, Bartosz Mamak, Grzegorz Myãka. In total, around 200 posters by more than 70 artists will be presented during the exhibition.

Polish posters are internationally renowned for their unique style developed between 1950 and 1965. Also after 1989, Polish poster designers have been highly appreciated in largest and most important graphic design reviews (festivals and biennales) worldwide. From USA to Australia, throughout Europe and Asia, Polish designers have continuously won prestigious prizes – grand prix and honoured mentions – in graphic design.


EXHIBITION
The exhibition “Imaging Poland – Polish Movie Poster” emphasises the changes that have taken place in the field of poster design over last 70 years. Developed by the “Polish Poster School”, a baroque-decorative style has been replaced by visual symbolic imagery. Although the traces of painting are still visible in some recent projects, the main stream of poster design is strongly influenced by new media. A so-called self-edition poster is also skilfully combining visual associations and stylistic diversity to transmit the message more clearly than ever before. Projects of the contemporary posters have become detached from the traditional form of their presentation, i.e. a piece of paper with dimensions of 100 x 70 cm. Today they are presented in urban spaces (i.e. on billboards and city-lights), as well as on digital screens and on the Internet.

The Exhibition venue will transform itself into a multimedia environment for this exhibition, becoming a combination of an interactive game that invites visitors to participate in the visual spectacle.

MASTER LECTURE
A master lecture will be held on 14 September to offer an overview on the development of poster design in Poland. Its contents are divided into three parts, namely “Hunting Originality. Polish Poster Design after WWII – the evolution of styles and techniques”, by Dr. Mateusz Bieczyñski, Vice-Rector of UAP; “Stereotypes, Symbols, ‘Cliché …and Beyond – Polish Graphic Design” by Prof. Krzysztof Molenda, followed by a Panel Discussion.

FILM SCREENINGS
The screening of “Commissioned: The Art of The Polish Film Poster” will be held on 13 September 2018 as a prelude to the opening ceremony of “Imaging Poland”. The documentary traces the origins of a movement, its cultural relevance and historical importance of this unique design aesthetic. It features interviews with directors and designers including Martin Scorsese, Agnieszka Holland, Andrzej Wajda, Milton Glaser and more.

Another screenings featuring animated short films created by designers of UAP will be presented on 20 of September. Both of the film-screening sessions will be opened with an introduction by UAP’s Vice-Rector, Dr. Mateusz Bieczyñski.

IMPORTANT DATES
“Imaging Poland” (Free Admission)
Opening Ceremony: 13 September 2018, 6pm (by invitation only)
Opening Screening: 13 September 2018, 4:30pm
Master Lecture: 14 September 2018, 1:30pm
Exhibition: 13-21 September 2018, Monday to Sunday, 10am-8pm
Closes at 5pm on 21 September 2018
Closing Screening: 21 September 2018, 4:30pm

LINKS
Official page: “Imaging Poland”
Official website: Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI)
Official website: University of Arts Poznan, Poland (UAP)