Maria Nowakowska is a graduate of the University of Lodz and is currently writing her doctoral thesis in the field of art history. In recent years, she has become known to the inhabitants of Lodz as a passionate promoter of architectural heritage. Her attention is drawn primarily by the architectural detail, which was reflected in the names of the brands she runs: Łódzki Detal and Maria od detalu. For several years, she has also been interested in art in urban space – in particular outdoor sculpture.
NO EMBELLISHMENTS, DATES OR HISTORY
"Różowe odcienie szarości" is the first individual photo show in Maria Nowakowska's portfolio. Dr Maciej Ryszka, an artist photographer and lecturer at the Lodz Film School, is a curator to the exhibition. Viewers who hope to see architectural details from Lodz may be disappointed.
The artist takes the viewers on an intimate journey through the cityscape – a journey full of admiration but far from familiar forms of representation. The focus is on colour, geometry and the play of forms, alluding to the ideas of abstract art close to the Lodz DNA
– explains Maciej Ryszka, the curator.
Yes – colour, texture, light in a moving harmony of forms. Accidental and intentional sessions of geometry. Metaphysical tensions. Interpenetration of layers, meanings, materiality. Unbridled calligraphy, faded signs, self-assembling formulas. That's what to be expected
– concludes the curator.
DETALFEST AND HUMANISATION OF ARCHITECTURE
Maria's passion for architectural ornamentation has also translated into the idea of the DetalFest Festival – Architectural Detail Festival, which has been organised in Lodz in the form of a biennial event since 2017. In this year's, fourth edition of the event, the University of Lodz is a strategic partner. As part of DetalFest, not only the opening of the exhibition, but also, e.g. two accompanying events will be held:
- The meeting with the artist and curator will take place on the opening day of the exhibition (Friday, 28 July) at 6:00 p.m. The event will be hosted by Jakub Szczapiński who is a fascinated with Lodz animator of culture, author of the artbook "Mury mają głos (czyli rzecz o bałuckim dzikim typo)".
- The closing of the exhibition, combined with the premiere lecture by M. Nowakowska on the humanisation of architecture, is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday (31 August). The lecture will concern the issues that Maria deals with scientifically – the humanisation of architecture. The lecture will highlight the connections between philosophy, politics and aesthetics that have influenced the shape of architecture in the second half of the 20th century.
All the events will be held at Wozownia 11 at Skłodowskiej-Curie 11. Admission to the exhibition and meetings is free.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Maria Nowakowska is a graduate of the University of Lodz, a doctoral student at the University of Lodz Doctoral School of Humanities. As Maria od Detalu / Łódzki Detal, she has been talking about architecture and art in urban space from the perspective of details for almost a decade. In addition to popularising heritage, she also takes photographs, writes, deals with ceramics and sculpture.
ABOUT THE CURATOR
Dr Maciej Ryszka is a photographer, a graduate and a lecturer at the Lodz Film School. His artistic achievements focus primarily on documentary and street photography. The artist's photographic interests concern the search for the extraordinary in places commonly considered peripheral. In street photography, Maciej Ryszka appreciates the importance of everyday, seemingly prosaic experiences of city dwellers. The most important individual exhibitions realized by Maciej Ryszka include:
- "nieŁódź" (2010, Museum of the City of Łódź), (2011, Museum of the Silesian Piasts in Brzeg),
- "Widma" (2019),
- "Przeciągłym spojrzeniem. Fotografia nierównowagi" (2021, 2021, Lodz Photographic Society).
Redakcja: Bartosz Kałużny (Communications and PR Centre, University of Lodz)
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