Katowice 150+1. Witness of Changes

October 13 – November 5, 2017

Opening reception – October 12, 7 p. m.
The exhibition will be opened and presented by the photographer Piotr Wójcik (Poland) and curator Dominique Roynette (France-Poland).

Polish Institute in Moscow and The Lumiere Brothers Center for Photography present a multimedia “portrait” of the dynamic Katowice city that celebrated the 150th anniversary of its founding last year.

Katowice is the capital of Silesia, industrial center of Europe in the 19-20th centuries. Together with 13 neighboring towns Katowice constitute the largest metropole in Poland and the unique Agglomeration in Europe - Upper Silesian Industrial Region - which accounts for over 3 million people. Katowice is one of the brightest examples of a European city that underwent successful transformation from an industrial and mining province into a cultural, science and business center. It is an actively developing city with one of the lowest unemployment rates in Poland. Katowice is the most multinational city in Poland boasting rich history and unique architecture.

Piotr Wójcik made 150 portraits/ interviews of Katowice citizens, and guest artists made 15 landscapes photographs and videos of the places chosen by the citizens. The contrast between the industrial past of Katowice and its present life shows through versatile stories told by the heroes. They appear surprising, and their thoughts and ideas reveal new vision of the city and its citizens.

Portraits were taken in different parts of Katowice, each connected with the main characters of the projects and chosen by them. These photographs show people in urban environment as well as in intimate, home environment. Portraits share common stylistic approach and differ in their content.

Photographs were shot with black-and-white film. City landscapes were photographed in different seasons and at different times of the day. And they are irreproachably true to their objects.

The exhibition features portrait photographs of Katowice citizens, video footage of the city life, color photographs of urban landscapes. Musicians from the Katowice Music Academy created jazz compositions Katowice connecting people, referring to the stages of the city's development, especially for the video presented at the exhibition.

Joint Project of Polish Institute in Moscow and The Lumiere Brothers Center for Photography in cooperation with the organization Katowice - City of Gardens and the Picture Doc Foundation. Author: Piotr Wójcik with the participation of Monika Próba (video), Tomasz Sinek (color photographs). Curator of the project: Dominique Roynette.

Piotr Wójcik, born 1967 – photographer and documentary filmmaker. Lecturer at Direction of Photography and TV Production Department of The Leon Schiller National Film School in Lodz, president of the Picture Doc Foundation. Author of many photographic and multimedia projects. Since 1989 he has been working as a reporter. And in 2000 - 2011 was head of the photo editorial office of Gazeta Wyborcza. Author of documentary projects about the Romani in Europe and social problems of Poland. Was awarded the Knight's Cross of Polonia Restituta for his opposition activity for the period until 1989.

Dominique Roynette, born 1948. Graduated from Paris College of Art. Art director of the largest European newspapers: Libération, Le Monde, Gazeta Wyborcza. Curator of the exhibitions: Tomasz Kizny's exhibition Gulag and Great Terror among others, and co-author of books. Was awarded the Knight's Cross of Polonia Restituta for her active work on creating free Mass Media in Poland after 1989.