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Follow the Dragon

Ewa Maria Śmigielska

Place Orangery, Chapel, Józef Brandt’s Palace
Start date 01.05.2021
Curator Weronika Elertowska Henryk Gac Joanna Szymoniczek
End date 11.07.2021

Composer: Wojtek Blecharz

Sound design: Antoni Mantorski

Poster design: Pionty

Map: Sylwia Dominik / Magda Małczyńska-Umeda

 

Follow the Dragon constitutes a triptych that inscribes in the area of new performative sculpture. It was created by Ewa Maria Śmigielska at the invitation of the Center of Polish Sculpture in Orońsko. The artist works with space and the ways artistic forms and objects interact within it. She creates settings in which people’s presence and activities are of vital importance – they determine the shape of a space, alter it depending on visitors’ expressions and emotional states, and finally, they serve as a means to start a dialog.

In her recent project, Ewa Maria Śmigielska reaches for the symbol of a mythical dragon to explore perceptions and meanings behind time and space, as well as interplay of forces, connections, and energy flows. Her installation involves vibrations that resonate inside people, foreshadowing the upcoming changes. The artist draws inspiration from various myths and legends to create the syncretic space for thoughts. She undertakes such themes as equality, justice, and transformation in time. Motifs and symbols from different cultures overlap and interact, becoming the impulse for artists’ and visitors’ to travel to the depths of their emotions.

‘Forests, dawn and dusk, glass, reflected sunlight, neon lights, flickering mirrors, trembling bodies, illusory worlds, the imagery of the dragon, and the howl of Nirvana of Phoenix constitute an intriguing space mixed with mythology. […] I am so thrilled.’ (Jiao XingTao, sculptor)

The installation consists of neon sculptures and porcelain objects; visual forms that were applied to redefine existing space and simultaneously, invite viewers’ to contribute to and engage in the experience arranged by the artist.

Following the Dragon from the exhibition’s title, visitors enter the rooms of Joseph Brandt’s Palace, stroll in the park, and visit the Orangery Gallery, at the same time, set out on an emotional and intellectual journey to the origins of Chinese culture and confront the challenges of their own psyche.

‘Waves created by Ewa Maria Śmigielska are beautiful, seducing, and full of colors, and ravishing, wavelike music composed by Wojtek Blecharz becomes their perfect reflection  […] How does Follow the Dragon lead us through reality? In a linear, mathematic way or rather intricately, ephemerally, and one could say – with a twist? Both. As it oftentimes happens in the world of dragons.’  (Anna Theiss)

Three episodes and three separate spaces that constitute the artist’s installation are linked with one another with the sound arrangement composed by the prominent contemporary Polish composer, Wojtek Blecharz.

‘The project created by the artistic duo from two very different worlds – the visual world and the world of music – confronts its viewers-listeners with circumstances and situations, they could neither experience at a gallery nor at a concert hall. It would be even difficult to experience them in the theater or the cinema.’ (Izabela Smelczyńska)

Dofinansowano ze środków Ministra Kultury, Dziedzictwa Narodowego i Sportu
Organizer

Centre of Polish Sculpture in Orońsko

Co-organizer

Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw

Co-organizer

Faculty of Design, Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw

Co-organizer

Creative Work Centre in Radziejowice

Co-organizer

Ministry of Culture, National Heritage and Sport

Co-organizer

Authors’ Association ZAiKS

Partner

Sichuan Fine Arts Institute

Partner

The Asia and Pacific Museum

Partner

Warsaw ZOO

Partner

Bartsch Law Office

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  • COVER PHOTO Follow the dragon
    COVER PHOTO Follow the dragon-05
  • Follow the Dragon,fot. Agata Grzybowska | RATS Agency
    Follow_The_Dragon_fot_ Agata Grzybowska - RATS Agency_11
  • Follow the Dragon, Don't touch me, fot. Agata Grzybowska | RATS Agency
    Follow_the_Dragon_Agata_Grzybowska_12
  • Follow the Dragon, Don't touch me, fot. Agata Grzybowska | RATS Agency
    Follow_The_Dragon_Agata_Grzybowska_03
  • Follow the Dragon, Never Complain, Never Explain, Crystals, fot. Agata Grzybowska | RATS Agency
    Follow_the_Dragon_Agata_Grzybowska_02
  • Follow the Dragon, Never Complain, Never Explain. Prestigious porcelain, fot. Agata Grzybowska | RATS Agency
    Follow_the_Dragon_Agata_Grzybowska_01
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