Bolesławiec residents reacted with great interest to the artists’ actions. There was one attempt to “steal” clay, people addressed the silent artists rudely, and there were demands that they play with children. But there were also moments of complete fascination with what the women were doing. One spectator watched the artists’ action for more than an hour. When his family began calling him, he replied that he could not leave because he was hooked.
Maria Joanna Juchnowska and Vivien Chan have been working together for almost five years. They met while studying in Stockholm. Until now, the actions they call craft performances or art performances had taken place in galleries. For the first time in their careers, they organized an action during a city festival and outdoors. The artists have worked in galleries in Norway, Sweden, England and Germany.
“We create actions for a particular place and in the spirit of that place,” says Maria Juchnowska. “In Bolesławiec, we wanted to show the process of making vessels and objects from clay. During the festival, everyone encounters the finished product; we wanted to show how it is made, starting with a lump of clay. It was an interesting and difficult challenge. On the first day, during the action, we allowed interaction with people, especially children. However, this was not the right direction, because people confused the performance with the workshops and demonstrations, of which there were many in the city. On Sunday, we set aside a space for our action, and one of the security guards watched over us. A very professional man. He explained to people that we could not talk during the action. Nevertheless, people kept approaching us and demanding that their curiosity be satisfied. They asked what we were doing, why and for what purpose. And we remained silent and worked. It irritated some people greatly,” the artist adds.
The following artists are participating in the 51st MPCRZ in Bolesławiec: Adam Frew – England, Jakub Biewald – Poland, Ceyhun Konak – Turkey, Eva Srniková – Slovakia, Georgi Pachkoria – Georgia, Ute Hartwig-Schulz – Germany, Katalin Tomay – Hungary, Lung-Chieh Lin – Taiwan, Maria Joanna Juchnowska – Poland/Norway, Michał Podleśny – Poland, Patrycja Barkowska – Poland, Rebecca Maeder – Switzerland and Adriana Grochal – Poland. Mateusz Grobelny has been appointed symposium commissioner for the third time.
For three weeks, the artists will be hosted by three Bolesławiec companies: Zakłady Ceramiczne „BOLESŁAWIEC” Sp. z o.o., „Ceramika Artystyczna” Spółdzielni Rękodzieła Artystycznego and Fabryka Naczyń Kamionkowych „Manufaktura” Sp. J. Smoleński & Zwierz. In addition, Garncarnia na Widoku will serve as a new workplace.
As part of the symposium, three multimedia presentation meetings devoted to the work of the artists participating in the 51st MPCRZ will be held in the BOK-MCC conference room. The artists will talk about themselves and present their artistic achievements.
On Friday, September 4, at 6:00 p.m., the following artists will present themselves: Michał Podleśny, Patrycja Barkowska, Adam Frew, Eva Srnikova and Ute Hartwing-Schulz.
On Saturday, September 5, at 6:00 p.m., lectures will be given by: Georgi Pachlovia, Jakub Biewald, Maria Joanna Juchnowska, Adriana Grochal and Craig Usher.
On Sunday, September 6, at 6:00 p.m., we will meet with the following artists: Rebecca Maeder, Katalin Tomay, Lin Lung-Chieh and Mateusz Grobelny.
Meanwhile, from September 9 to 11, a wood-fired kiln will be set up in the Market Square to demonstrate an old technology for firing ceramics.
We will see the results of the work by the participants in the 51st edition of the symposium next year, during the 22nd Bolesławiec Ceramic Festival. As usual, a symposium catalogue will be published, presenting the artists’ profiles and sculptures shown at the post-symposium exhibition.
The International Ceramic and Sculpture Symposium already has a 50-year tradition and is the oldest event of its kind in Poland. Over the years, it has become one of the most important events promoting the region, creating opportunities for artistic dialogue and encouraging contacts and cooperation—not only in the artistic and cultural fields, but also in discovering new technologies in the ceramic industry. The symposium effectively promotes the work of outstanding ceramic sculptors from Poland and abroad. Young graduates of academies of fine arts who are beginning their artistic careers also take part in the symposium.