A selection of works by three photographers and best graduation projects of graphic design students are on display at the Wrocław campus of SWPS University in October. Learn more about the exhibitions and plan your visit to the Graphics Gallery.
Apern — a research exhibition
The Apern exhibition was first showcased in April 2022 as part of a research project Samo-miasto, conducted by Dr. Michał Jakubowicz from SWPS University’s Department of Graphic Design, under the auspices of our Institute of Design. Dr. Jakubowicz carried out his research in Słubfurt — an imaginary city located on the Polish-German border, within the area of Słubice and Frankfurt (Oder) — hence the name “Słub-furt” — a compound neologism composed of the first syllable of the name “Słubice” and the last syllable of the name “Frankfurt”. Dr. Jakubowicz aimed to bring together international artists, volunteers, and activists visiting Słubfurt, and persuade them to collaborate on future projects.
The Samo-miasto project is focused on monitoring art on the Polish-German border. Dr. Jakubowicz examines the community and territory of Słubfurt, the fictional city founded in 1999 by Polish and German artists in the spirit of social constructivism. He aims to document social changes occurring in the area and the traces they leave in the urban fabric. Dr. Jakubowicz views these changes as a creative factor encouraging the development of a creative community. Therefore, he focuses on social coping and escape strategies that he compares to several phenomena in contemporary art, such as empty sign, contextual change, upcycling, simulation, reconstruction, and parallel worlds.
The exhibition was on display at the Słubfurt City Hall, based in a former school gym in Frankfurt (Oder). Before the outbreak of war in Ukraine, the building and its surroundings hosted numerous artistic events. After February 24, the artistic initiatives were put on a back burner and the space was made available to accommodate a large free-shop for Ukrainian refugees. However, the community still managed to make some room for the inspiring Apern exhibition.
I could have gone on and on about the Samo-miasto research project, but instead, I decided to invite people to an exhibition of my works that were put on display in their free-shop. The exhibition showcased paintings by my friends and objects that inspired me. Photos of monuments taken with a smartphone became a starting point for a discussion about the fictional Polish-German gained space where we have established Słubfurt and New Amerika. Photographs by Wojtek Beszterda offered a different perspective on emptiness, the topic I intended to photograph in Słubfurt. However, the most discussed photographer turned out to be Zdzichu Mackiewicz. His portraits captured the attention of every visitor. Over time, the exhibition lost some momentum as it traveled around during the following month. Nonetheless, this opportunity allowed me to settle in [at the Słubfurt City Hall] and gain an insider’s perspective.
Michał Jakubowicz, Ph.D./Assistant Professor
curator and co-author of the Apern exhibition
- Date: October 4–November 4, 2022
- Host: SWPS University Graphics Gallery
- Location: SWPS University in Wrocław, ul. Ostrowskiego 30b
- Curator: Michał Jakubowicz, Ph.D./Assistant Professor
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Photo: Michał Jakubowicz
Photo: Michał Jakubowicz
Photo: Michał Jakubowicz
Photo: Michał Jakubowicz
Photo: Michał Jakubowicz
Best Graphic Design Graduation Projects – Class of 2022
The exhibition showcases the top graduation projects, created by students who have already graduated from SWPS University in Wrocław in 2022.
The projects reflect the topics and graphic techniques young artists gravitate towards nowadays. The selection of works is very diverse: from illustrated personal poetry and book layouts, through graphic patterns for snowboards, to visual identity for law firms. The exhibition demonstrates the versatility of graphic design and its big presence in everyday life.
Development of any graphic design graduation project is a complex process that includes several stages from inspiration to execution. Students must conduct visual research, read literature on the subject, plan, create, and test the materials and solutions they choose. In addition, they must present and discuss their ideas and write a thesis. Therefore, we proudly present the effect of their work and encourage you to visit the exhibition, which showcases art by the most talented up and coming young graphic designers.
- Featured artists: Miłosz Chudy, Jagoda Gniadek-Probulska, Katarzyna Kobiór, Barbara Lewandowska, Urszula Łuczak, Maria Markowska, Klaudia Niemczykiewicz, Maria Olech, Antonina Popiel, Marta Siennicka, Aleksandra Wawrzyniak, Jagoda Wolska, Karol Wróblewski, Karolina Zaraś, Zuzanna Zysiek
- Thesis advisors who selected the best graduation projects: Igor Borkowski, Małgorzata Jabłońska, Michał Jakubowicz, Jacek Joostberens, Krzysztof Moszczyński, Mirosław Pawłowski, Dorota Płuchowska, Mariusz Wszołek
- Date: 4 października – 4 listopada 2022 r.
- Host: SWPS University Graphics Gallery
- Location: SWPS University in Wrocław, ul. Ostrowskiego 30b
- Curator: Michał Jakubowicz, Ph.D./Assistant Professor
e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Work by Maria Olech
Work by Barbara Lewandowska
Work by Zuzanna Zysiek
Work by Maria Markowska
Work by Karol Wróblewski
Work by Miłosz Chudy
Host
- SWPS University Graphics Gallery
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