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| X-Files | |
| 2003-03-07 | |
| Franciszek Xawery Dunikowski (1875-1964) has been called the greatest Polish sculptor of the 20th century. Art critics say he was also a man prone to affairs of honor and social scandals, a soldier of the Foreign Legion, reportedly a lothario, an enemy of systems and their obedient defender, a prisoner of the Auschwitz camp, where he drew portraits, produced wooden clogs and made a model of the camp, and the author of the most outstanding sculptures of the 20th century and of designs for a monument to Stalin, never implemented. This is definitely not all that one can say about Dunikowski-both his fascinating personality and his enormous artistic output still pose a quandary. A large retrospective exhibition of the sculptor's works opened Feb. 18 at the Xawery Dunikowski Museum in the Królikarnia Palace. The exhibition provides an opportunity for art lovers to take a greater interest in the artist's work and life. An academic conference devoted to Dunikowski will take place in March. The decision to rebuild Królikarnia and convert it into the artist's studio and apartment was made by Polish authorities in 1948. This was to be a sign of gratitude for his donation of his collection to the state. Unfortunately, it was only after the artist's death that the rebuilding of the palace gathered momentum, and in 1965, the project was complete. The first large exhibition of Dunikowski's works was presented in Królikarnia later that year. Although Królikarnia takes pride in bearing his name, he has been remembered less and the works he had donated to the state have been kept in storerooms. For more than two weeks now, the world's largest collection of Dunikowski's works has been presented to the general public. The exhibition, entitled A Study of Dunikowski's Affairs, features the artist's most important sculptures and paintings. The exhibition will end with an academic conference on Dunikowski: "Dunikowski's Affair." March 20 and 21, the invited viewers, researchers and experts on Dunikowski will be discovering successive surprises prepared beforehand by the master. The results of the conference will be published as Archiwum X. Dunikowskiego (X. Dunikowski's Archive). The publication will be available for zl.18. The exhibition will be on until March 22. Tickets are priced zl.6 and zl.4. The museum (113a Puławska St.) is open Tue.-Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Wed. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission is free on Thurs. | |
| (The Warsaw Voice) | |