During the official closing of the Bolesławiec symposium, there was a preview screening of the documentary film “Tree of Fire.” The film was shot during this year’s Ceramic Festival. It portrays artist Mateusz Grobelny while he was building a spectacular outdoor kiln in the Market Square. The film was made by young filmmakers during holiday workshops held by the BOK-MCC Film Education Studio. The young people worked under the supervision of studio instructor Michał Szwed.
Kornel Filipowicz, Deputy Mayor of the City, who was present at the meeting, emphasized that the symposium participants are an important element in promoting Bolesławiec.
“The event we are bringing to a close today particularly demonstrates the enormous range of possibilities contained in ceramics. Thanks to Commissioner Mateusz Grobelny and the symposium participants, we are convinced that Bolesławiec is not only a city of utilitarian ceramics, but also a city where art is created,” said Kornel Filipowicz.
The symposium in Bolesławiec began during the 21st Bolesławiec Ceramic Festival. On Friday, 21 August, an exhibition opening featuring works by the artists selected for this year’s edition was held in the Market Square. Their works were presented by: 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, as well as Mateusz Grobelny – commissioner.
Moreover, during the Ceramic Festival, a performance titled “Happy Birthday” by Maria Joanna Juchnowska, a symposium participant, and Vivien Chan was held in the Market Square on Saturday and Sunday. Through their performance, the artists presented the process of creating vessels and objects from clay.
The artists met with residents over the weekend of 4–6 September. During multimedia presentations at BOK-MCC, they talked about their work and inspirations.
During their stay in Bolesławiec, the symposium participants created works under the shared theme “Man, Nature, Civilization” at the following facilities: Zakłady Ceramiczne “BOLESŁAWIEC” Sp. z o.o., “Ceramika Artystyczna” Spółdzielnia Rękodzieła Artystycznego and Fabryka Naczyń Kamionkowych “Manufaktura” Sp. J. Smoleński & Zwierz. Additional workplaces included Garncarnia na Widoku and the BOK-MCC ceramic studios.
