Launched in 2012 by the Archaeology of Photography Foundation, the complex archivisation of his legacy enables a yet fuller understanding of this extraordinary oeuvre. Zamecznik was an adept of the language of the avant-garde and knew how to translate his experiments into the applied arts, which were his domain, while preserving an unusual creativity, especially in the field of photography. The exhibition, which is the first so extensive monographic show devoted to Wojciech Zamecznik in 30 years, concentrates on the relation between his passion for photography and hic graphic projects. His solo show is composed of 300 objects: models of graphic projects, photographs, prints, documents and two films: the animated movie ‘Italia ’61’ directed by Wojciech Zamecznik and Jan Lenica, and ‘House on its Head’ directed by Adam Palenta, edited from family tapes and recorded by the artist himself. Putting observation of the world and the possibilities of the photography in the centre of interest, the exhibition presents the graphic projects and film realisations. It also gives an insight into the archive and presents the secrets of the workshop of a graphic designer working in the late 50s and early 60s. The exhibition catalogue contains the testimonials, detailed calendars and texts demonstrating the everyday life of a designer in the People’s Republic of Poland. They also unveil the extraordinary ingenuity, independence and innovation of Zamecznik, as well as his connections with the environment of progressive artists such as Oskar Hansen, Henryk Tomaszewski and Jan Lenica.
The catalogue and the exhibition design were created by our Art Director Magdalena Piwowar.
Zamecznik at Zachęta National Gallery
