Principles of The Outdoor Gallery of the City of Gdansk
The Centre for Contemporary Art Laznia manages the project being a part of a broader scope of works aiming at revitalisation of the Lower Town district, of an area abundant in historical edifices but at the same time isolated from the centre and degraded. It is anticipated as a long-term plan and is supposed to build up a permanent collection of works of art in urban space within the project called the Outdoor Gallery of the City of Gdansk. It will also initiate changes of the character of the district where Laznia is based.
Urban space will be developed through years and the projects assigned for realisation will be chosen in regularly announced, closed, international competitions. This is how Laznia intends to take part in social and architectonical transformation of the Lower Town which is going to require close cooperation with artists, scientists, planning engineers, architects and also politicians. Making this part of the city more accessible could enable, along with the revitalisation of the quarter, creating a new quality of the cultural potential for citizens of Tricity as well as for tourists. Artistic activities run within the project are based on international cooperation and the use of EU infrastructural funds, which, with proper vision, could bring economic advantages serving both local community and the city itself. We believe the process we initiated will attract private investors and at the same time allow the realisation of outstanding artistic ventures.
All activities within the framework of the project are supposed to enable creation of permanent elements and artistic qualities in the landscape of the district by:
• integrating the area with permanent elements of art like sculptures, sound and light installations, projections in post-industrial spaces, murals and architectonical elements (organisation of competitions and festivals),
• creating places aimed at stimulating encounters of the local community and guests, providing leisure time attractions like concerts or meetings with artists etc,
• historical and present day reflection on the condition of the agglomeration, organisation of meetings or symposia devoted to historical topics relating to the city’s and district’s history,
• educating children and the youth, hosting permanent educational workshops in the area of newly erected works of art.
The Outdoor Gallery of the City of Gdansk artworks assigned for realization are chosen by international jury. Its members are: Enrico Lunghi, director of Mudam Luxembourg, Jacek Dominiczak, professor at the Fine Arts Academy in Gdańsk, Bettina Steinbrügge, director of Kunstverein in Hamburg, Adam Budak, head curator of The National Gallery in Prague, Norbert Weber, a member of the international board of experts of the Museum of Lativian Modern Art in Riga, Julia Draganovic, director of Kunsthalle Osnabruck, Germany, Jadwiga Charzyńska, director of the Laznia CCA in Gdańsk.
So far five editions of the competition took place: 1st in 2005, 2nd in 2007, 3rd in 2009, 4th in 2011 and 5th in 2012. Among the awarded artists there are: Philippe Rahm, Esther Stocker, Dominik Lejman, Kriss Salmanis, Fernando Sanchez Castillo, Carmen Einfinger, Bert Theis, Anna Waligórska, Lex Rijkers and Daniel Milohnic.
CURATOR: JADWIGA CHARZYŃSKA
COORDINATION OF THE PROJECT: ANNA SZYNWELSKA
Honorary patrons of the project: Minister of Culture and National Heritage Bogdan Zdrojewski and the Marshal of Pomeranian Voivodeship, Mieczysław Struk
President of the Organising Committee of the International Competition of the Outdoor Gallery of the City of Gdansk: Mayor of the City of Gdansk Pawel Adamowicz
The project is supported by Ministry of Culture and National Heritage