Janek Simon’s solo show at Awangarda Gallery (BWA Wroclaw) is a sum-up of his ‘exotic’ art/journey projects – first one in such a large scale – in which the artist tests the critical potential of geographic distances and questions a strictly European cultural hierarchy. It features seven different projects. e.g. a remake of the well-known ‘Polish Year on Madagascar’ (2006), but also premieres completely new works like ‘The Incredible Adventures of Mr. Seven’ installation that tells a story based on lunatic tales of Indian Mr. Seven and the artist’s own life. ‘Alang Transfer’ is also an aftermatch of Simon’s latest journey to India – an absurd collection of pictures and ship placards taken from the famous Alang Ship Breaking Yard. A sculptural counterpoint of the show is formed by ‘Sculptures from the Museum of Man in Paris Made Based on Oskar Hansen’s and Lech Kunka’s Drawings, Printed on a Homemade 3D Printer’ – a beautiful continuation of an idea introduced earlier in Zacheta’s exhibition on Polish artists’ travels in the 50’s. And as an intriguing closure Simon serves us with ‘Alaba Transfer’ (from the collection of Museum Sztuki in Lodz) and a trailer for the ‘Ashes & Diamonds in Nollywood’ movie which documents ‘Polish Mission in Auroville’ , a project in which Simon has sent a group of introverted Polish artists to an utopian post-hippie township in South India…
Sculptures from the Museum of Man in Paris Made Based on Oskar Hansen's and Lech Kunka's Drawings, Printed on a Homemade 3D Printer, 2014
Sculptures from the Museum of Man in Paris Made Based on Oskar Hansen's and Lech Kunka's Drawings, Printed on a Homemade 3D Printer, 2014
The Incredible Adventures of Mr. Seven, 2014 (installation fragment)
The Incredible Adventures of Mr. Seven, 2014 (installation fragment)
Ashes & Diamonds in Nollywood, poster, 2014
Alang Transfer, 2014 (installation fragment)
Alang Transfer, 2014 (installation fragment)
Polish Year on Madagascar, 2006-2014 (installation fragment)