Exhibition: 21.03 – 17.05.2015
Opening: 20.03.2015, 19.00
Venue: Günter Grass Gallery in Gdańsk, ul. Szeroka 34/35, 36, 37, Grobla I 1/2
Curator: Marta Wróblewska
Thus wrote Wojciech Wilczyk about the art of Grzegorz Wróblewski:
“For the painter-Wróblewski, the natural point of departure (which is by all means natural for the 1960’s generation), apart from the aforementioned COBRA, is the American abstract expressionism and Informalism. It is a kind of a fundamental visual dictionary, which widens in the course of time and creation of new works. Wróblewski paints in spurts, each portion of the created works being characteristically different. Thus, one can observe, for example temporary fascinations with abstract art in a more surreal mode, minimal art, matter painting or land art. It is also worth noticing that the author of “Planets” has a wide knowledge of contemporary art, which he also manifests in his poems and essays. This actually differentiates him from the native literary staff with high culture ambitions, whose allusions to visual arts usually boil down to Vermeer and stick to the sugary “Girl with a Pearl Earring”. This erudition does not however classify his painting as the art of quotations. Indeed, in his early works there are echoes of the art of Pierre Aleschinsky, Roberto Matta, Antonio Tàpies or Robert Smithson. Nevertheless, in the half of the first decade of the current century, Wróblewski works out a style which is distinguished by calligraphic elements along with the game of abstract expressionist amorphous structures.”
A NORTHERN TRAIL is not only the title of the exhibition. The same title has been given to one of the paintings presented as part of the exhibition, as well as a poem from the collection entitled Rooms and Gardens (2005).
Grzegorz Wróblewski – born in 1962 r. in Gdańsk, 1966-1985 lived in Warszawa, since 1985 lives and works in Copenhagen. Author of books (poetry, drama, prose), among which: Ciamkowatość życia (1992/2002), Planety (1994), Noc w obozie Corteza (2007), Nowa Kolonia (2007), Dwie kobiety nad Atlantykiem (2011), Wanna Hansenów (2013), translated into many foreign languages, among tchem English (Our Flying Objects – selected poems, 2007, A Marzipan Factory – new and selected poems 2010, Kopenhaga – prose poems, 2013). In the years 1993-1998 he cooperated with the Brulion magazine. He performer with well-known jazz musicians, such as: John Tchicai, Olga Magieres, Stefan Pasborg or Harold Rubin. He exhibits his works since the end of 1980’s. His oeuvre encompasses live acts in public space, installations, painting.
He was twice awarded in the competition Brulion Poetycki (1990, 1992), he won a prize in the literary competition of the Brøndum/Aschehoug (Kopenhaga 1995), he received the literary scholarships from Dansk Litteraturrådet (1999, 2002, 2004) and Statens Kunstfond (2000, 2003, 2005). He was nominated by The Brooklyn Rail for the Pushcart Prize 2015.
He is a member of Dansk Forfatterforening.
His literary works were translated into: Danish, English, Czech, Slovakian, Hungarian, Slovenian, Vietnamese, Norwegian, Swedish, Russian, Spanish and German.
Selected solo and group exhibitions:
2014 – Centrum Kultury Katowice, Galeria Pusta
2014 – Hardy Tree Gallery, ZimZalla objects (Londyn, UK)
2014 – Muzeum Literatury in Warszawa
2013 – Galleri LB, Totem (Kopenhaga)
2011 – Bury Art Gallery, „Wonder Rooms”, (Bury, UK)
2011 – Gallery ZENIT, „Ambient”, with Magda Jarząbek (Copenhagen)
2009 – Gallery ZENIT, „Controlled Zones” (Copenhagen)
2008 – ART EXPO 2008 (Aarhus-Viby/Denmark)
2008 – Blå Time, Projekt Bloom/Wroblewski, with Doris Bloom (Copenhagen)
2008 – Gallery Brantebjerg (Nykøbing Sj./Denmark)
2007 – “NORD ART 2007” (Büdelsdorf/Germany)
2007 – Gallery Asbæk, “Sommerudstilling”, (Copenhagen)
2007 – Den Frie, “Decembristerne”, Projekt Bloom/Wroblewski, with Doris Bloom (Copenhagen)
2007 – Gallery Brantebjerg (Nykøbing Sj./Denmark)
1997 – Kunstkorridoren Nådada (Copenhagen)
1996 – Galloperiet/Christiania (Copenhagen)
1996 – Vølund (Copenhagen)
1992 – Gallery 2112 (Rødovre/Denmark)
1992 – Gallery Arthouse (Copenhagen)
1991 – Gallery 2112 (Rødovre/Denmark)
Music, performance – selected projects:
– 1995 – starts SLURP music group with Amir (musician and composer from Sarajevo, Esperanto Desperado music group) and Slawek Slocinski (former drummer of the Fornit group, Brygada Kryzys, Madame). They play concerts in Copenhagen (Kapellet på Assistens Kirkegård) and Musikcafeen in Århus.
– 2004 – starts PIANO & POETRY with the pianist Olga Magieres; they play concerts in Copenhagen (Jazz Club Loco, Stengade 30)
– takes part in music festivals in Copenhagen: VinterJazz 2005, Copenhagen Jazzfestival (2005), Tel Aviv Tell Copenhagen (2009)
– performer with many well-known avant-garde jazz musicians, like: John Tchicai, Harold Rubin, Lotte Anker, Martin Klapper, Olga Magieres, Petere Friis Nielsen, Stefan Pasborg, P.O. Jørgens, Mikołaj Trzask
– took part in the actions of the TOTEM Copenhagen art group: Vølund (Copenhagen 1996), “Galopperiet” ved Spiseloppen (Christiania-Copenhagen 1996), Kunstkorridoren Nådada , Copenhagen 1997, LB Galleri (Copenhagen 2013)
– recorded an album PROJEKT1 (Ars Mundi, Warszawa 2006) with Maciej Sinkowsk (‘Bobi Peru’, leader of ‘Zgoda’ music group) and Janusz Tyrpak (graphic design)
A NORTHERN TRAIL
1.
Love is but a delusion. Nature keeps making us realize it.
The skeleton of a smallish mammal. Why did it have to
Be you? (It must have been a pretty specimen once.) I know
You don’t like stuffed animals. Vulpes? The trees are thinning.
2.
Yet love it is? You have to nourish it to survive.
You’re not going to leave me here all alone, are you?
Have you heard foxes have vertical pupils? Eyes are an abyss
Of greatness and pettiness. (Always so self-assured…)
3.
I’m not talking about survival, but loneliness.
He was the weaker specimen so he was eliminated.
Is this still love, though? Would you also make love to me
If things were otherwise? Oh, come on, get a grip.
4.
Your holistic view on the whole is unsuitable here.
And do cover this ugly skeleton with earth.
(Translated by Agnieszka Pokojska)
6th Birthday of Gdańsk City Gallery
Live act: Grzegorz Wróblewski and Paweł „Kelner” Rozwadowski
Paweł „Kelner” Rozwadowski (born 8th June 1962) – Polish singer and songwriter. Collaborated with bands like Fornit (1978-1980), Deuter (1980-1989) and Izrael (1983-1984). In 1992 together with Robert Brylewski he recorded an album called Techno Terror as Max i Kelner. In 1995 he took part in the Dezerter tour, promoting their album Deuter. In 1998 he recorded for the album Tribute to Rejestracja – which was a compilation of cover versions of the songs by the band Rejestracja. In 2001-2003 he performed with the reactivated band Deuter. Presently, he is a member of the reactivated bands Deuter and Izrael. Together with Robert Brylewski he continues the project Max i Kelner. He also forms Kabaret Starszych Punków with the musicians from the bands Brygada Kryzys and Izrael.
Guests: LIPI&PAULUS. Neo Poetry Electric.
Those who are aware of the cultural fabric of the city of Gdansk, will surely be familiar with names like Paweł “Paulus” Mazur and Tomasz “Lipi” Lipski. Not uncommon in circles of art-rebels, the gentlemen founded a duet to unify music and words. However, both their music and lyrics are unique. They are both poets of a different sort, but – there is no doubt about it – they have two common denominators (or grounds) – imagination and freedom. Those two gentlemen will present their poems in turns – improvising and provoking. But be aware of the fact, that they will also make use of their own music. Paulus will take care of the electronics, and Lipi – drums. Marysia will play the flute.
Paweł Marek Mazur (Paulus) – born in Lublin. Lives and works in Gdansk. He is an impresario, co-creator of the TOTART group, poet, illustrator, musician, radio journalist. As an illustrator he collaborated with newspapers and magazines like: Gazeta Wyborcza, Przekrój, Ozon. He is the author of book covers (Lech Bądkowski), album covers (“Big Cyc”, ,,Apteka’’ ,,Wylkołak’’), comic books, book illustrations, and monumental paintings (in: Berlin, Gdansk, Warszawa, Wrocław). He participated in numerous group shows, and had nine solo shows. He is the author of TV programs (,,Dzyndzylyndzy’’, „Lalamido’’, ,,Pętla Czasu’’ to name but a few), radio programs, poetry books. He also coordinates, directs and arranges art events. Since the beginning of 2014 he has been involved in a poetry and music project with Tomasz Lipi Lipski.
Tomasz LIPI Lipski – born in Gdansk. He is an impresario, poet, musician, actor, and dj. He is a member of the musical groups: Ikenga Drummers and Lipi & Czemuś. He also collaborated with the bands Mordy and Na Bani. He published four tomes of poetry. In 1995 he debuted with a publication in the “Topos” poetry magazine in Sopot. He has performed his poems on the radio including: Radio Gdansk, Eska Nord, Radio Arnet. He is a co-creator of an off theatre Teatr LipZezRew as well as a co-organizer of the festival “Music against intolerance and violence” in Sopot. Since 2013 he has been hosting radio programs in a Custody Suite in Gdansk, called “The breeze of freedom”.
