Exhibition: Exploring the Interwar Period in Polish Art

From the 18th of January until the end of March, the National Museum in Warsaw will explore Polish art in the interwar years, 1918-1939. The aim of the exhibition is to present the first cross-sectional panorama of Polish art during that era, presenting everything from paintings to poster design, showcasing the general character and visual atmosphere of the 1920s and 30s in Poland. Primarily, the exhibition will present main artistic currents in their relation to historic and social context rather than stressing individual trends.

when - Until 30th March
where - National Museum, al. Jerozolimskie 3
more info - click here

Exhibition: "Wilhelm Sasnal. Years of Struggle"

The Zacheta National Gallery of Art will be exhibiting a retrospective of Wilhelm Sasnal's work throughout December 2007 and January and February 2008. Sasnal is one of the most talented painters of the young generation, and the exhibition will show his paintings as well as the films the artist has produced over the last few years. While the themes of his paintings range from family photographs to the internet to books, references are made to his native hometown of Tarnow, as well as themes of war and the Holocaust and post-war Polish life in general. The exhibition will also feature numerous portraits and even designs on t-shirts made by the artist.

when - Until 2nd March
where - Zacheta National Art Gallery, Pl. Malachowskiego 3
more info - click here

Exhibition: Open House

The exhibition "Open House - Architecture and Technology for Intelligent Living" will be shown at the Centre for Contemporary Art in the Ujast Castle. The exhibition was prepared by the Vitra Design Museum in Germany in cooperation with the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. The Open House presentation combines an exhibition with a research initiative that envisions the house of the future. The focus is on the way recent technologies can change the way we shape, respond to, and enhance our domestic space in intelligent ways, and the exhibition emphasizes a human-centred rather than technology-centred view of the future. Featured architects include Atelier Hitoshi Abe from Japan, Mass Studies from South Korea, Sean Godsell Architects from Australia, HookerKitchen from the UK and several other prominent names in architecture and design.

when - Until 16th February
where - Centre for Contemporary Art, Al. Ujazdowskie 6
more info - click here

Weekend of Culture

The Mazowickie Centre of Culture and Art will be hosting a "Carnival" Weekend of Culture on Friday and Saturday, the 1st and 2nd of February. Carnival is a time of play, dancing, and parades celebrated throughout the world, and the Mazowiecki Centre will be holding their own version of it. On the 1st beginning at 7 pm an evening of famous operettas will take place, performed by the Mazowiecki Musical Theatre. On the 2nd also at 7 pm the "Carnival Evening" will take place, which involves a meeting with music and carnival customs, past and contemporary. Costumes, masks, dancing, and overall good fun will be had! Tickets are 20 PLN for the entire weekend.

when - 1st and 2nd February
where - Mazowieckie Centrum Kultury i Sztuki, Elektoralna 12
more info - click here

Play: Kisses from the World

This February the Sabat Theatre's famous Revue Show presents the spectacle "Kisses from the World". "Kisses" is a grand revue show in which the kiss symbolizes friendship and the coming together of all countries of the world. The show takes the audience on a journey filled with music and dance, with many colourful scenes with songs, music, and dance from many corners of the world. The performance is enhanced by the beautiful and elegant costumes and a multimedia stage production which takes the viewer to scores of well known places all over the world.

when - 2nd, 9th, 16th, 22nd, 23rd, and 29th February
where - Sabat Theatre, ul. Foksal 16
more info - click here

Concert: Immanu el and Hatifnats

Swedish post-rockers will be playing three shows in Poland as part of their 2008 European tour supporting their new album, "They'll Come, They'll Come...". In Warsaw, they will hit up Jadlodajnia Filozoficzna with Polish band Hatifnats, after playing the previous night in Wroclaw with Krakow post-rock heroes New Century Classics. If you like the sounds of Sigur Ros or Explosions in the Sky, don't miss your chance to see Immanu el live!

when - 7th February
where - Jadlogajnia Filozoficzna, ul. Dobra 33/35
more info - click here

Holidays in the Museum

This winter break, the National Museum in Warsaw invites students and adults alike to participate in the museum's winter break programs. From the 12th until the 22nd of February on Tuesday through Friday starting at 10:15 and 11:30 in the morning, several activities will take place in the museum. Discover the secrets of the mummies, the cuisine and fashion of the 17th and 18th centuries, the history of Jan Matejko's paintings, and many other fascinating stories!

when - 12th until 22nd February
where - National Museum, al. Jerozolimskie 3
more info - click here

Valentine's Day in Warsaw

Much like the plague, American Hallmark holidays spread themselves all over the globe, multiplying and occasionally causing death and heartache, and Warsaw is not immune. Somehow though, many people do not share this gloomy outlook on the holiday celebrating copulation and chocolate, and a good number of them will be spending a romantic Valentine's Day in Warsaw. That means the city's many nice restaurants and hotels will be booked up with couples. Our advice: book your honeymoon suite and your romantic dinner reservation as far in advance as your plane tickets, or you'll be stuck sharing a hostel bed and a McDonald's cheeseburger this February 14th!

when - 14th February
where - Throughout Warsaw
more info - click here

Bitter Lamentations Project

Bitter Lamentations, or "Gorzkie Zale" in Polish, is a multi-generational proposition, an invitation to active participation in diverse artistic forms and debates, all tied to the tradition of Lent. Between the 16th of February and the 1st of April, several events will take place as part of the project. Several plays will be shown as part of the project, as well as concerts and discussions. The project is organized by the Montownia Artistic Center, the John Paul II Centre of Though, and by the Basen Artistic Centre, where it will take place.

when - 16th February until 1st April
where - Basen Artistic Centre, ul. Konopnickiej 6
more info - click here

Exhibition: "History Will Repeat Itself"

The exhibition "History Will Repeat Itself", or strategies of reconstruction in contemporary art, will be showing in Gallery 2 at the Centre for Contemporary Art from the 16th of February until the 13th of April 2008, and features artists such as Guy Ben-Ner, Walter Benjamin, C-Level, Mikolaj Jewreinow, Omer Fast, Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard, Tabea Sternberg, and Artur Zmijewski, among others. The exhibition focuses on current strategies of re-enactment - reconstruction, rendering, and presenting anew - in contemporary media and performance art, presenting the approaches and strategies of 23 artists.

when - 16th February until 14th April
where - Centre for Contemporary Art, Al. Ujazdowskie 6
more info - click here

Concert: The Cure

In February 2008 the famous British rock band The Cure will perform two concerts in Poland, including one in Warsaw's Torwar. They will be promoting their forthcoming double CD release, and the Polish dates are part of the The Cure 4Tour 2008, consisting of 22 concerts in 15 countries. Supporting The Cure in Warsaw will be the band 65 Days of Static.

when - 18th February
where - Torwar, ul. Lazienkowska 6a
more info - click here

Play: Won!

"Won!" by Ryszard Marek Gronski is a satirical comedy directed by Barbara Borys-Damiecka showing at the Syrena Theatre. The play alludes to "The Morality of Mrs. Dunska", a Polish drama from 1906. However, "Won!" is set in the present, and involves plenty of commentary and some witty criticism of Polish politics and life today. Fans of R.M. Gronski will not be disappointed, as he present another bitter summary of today's realities. The play stars Bozena Dykiel and Wlodzimierz Press, and will be showing at 7 pm on the 24th, 25th, and 26th of February.

when - 24th until 26th February
where - Syrena Theatre, ul. Litewska 3
more info - click here

Exhibition: "This is Not an Exhibition"

The project "This is Not an Exhibition" is an atypical presentation of selected works from the Zacheta National Gallery of Art's collection. Instead of focusing on the works themselves, the anti-exhibition focuses on the process of caring for works of art, specifically the more problematic works of modern art composed through non-traditional techniques. The exposition will show a process, presenting many exhibits as they are documented, go through conservation works, and mounted for exhibition. There will be also talks with the artists about their workshops and the concepts behind their creation.

when - 26th February until 5th May
where - Zacheta National Art Gallery, Pl. Malachowskiego 3
more info - click here