Internationally recognised art and literary critic, writer and cultural producer. Published in ELLE, Glamour, Esquire and Cosmopolitan; member of the Union of Writers.
The Venice Biennale is the world’s most prestigious exhibition of contemporary art, attracting millions of visitors and showcasing the best and brightest talents from around the globe. But this year, the event has also become a battleground for a political and cultural clash between Poland’s old and new governments, and between the artist who was supposed to represent the country and the one who will take his place.
The controversy began when the new Polish government, led by the former prime minister and European Council president Donald Tusk, decided to scrap the project that was conceived and selected by the previous administration, led by the nationalist-populist party Law and Justice (PiS).
The project, titled “Polish Practice in Tragedy. Between Germany and Russia”, was the work of Ignacy Czwartos, a painter and sculptor, consisted of 35 works.
Czwartos said that his project was meant to reflect the historical and geopolitical reality of Poland, and to raise awareness of the sacrifices and struggles of the Polish people.
But his project also drew criticism from some members of the Polish art community, who accused him of promoting a nationalist and victimized narrative that was aligned with the agenda of the PiS party, which had been in power since 2015.
The PiS party had been known for its conservative policies, such as change the independence of the judiciary, restricting the rights of women and LGBTQ+ people, and clashing with the European Union over the rule of law and democratic values.
Some former staff and jury members of the Zachęta National Gallery of Art, the institution that oversees the Venice nomination, signed a protest letter against Czwartos’s project, saying that it was at odds with the inclusive and diverse theme of this year’s Biennale, which is “How will we live together?”.
They also questioned the legitimacy and transparency of the selection process, which was revised by the PiS government and gave more power to the culture minister, who was a PiS member.
The PiS government announced Czwartos’s project on October 31, 2023, just two weeks after the general election that saw the party lose its majority and fail to form a new government.
The opposition politician Donald Tusk, who had previously served as prime minister from 2007 to 2014 and as European Council president from 2014 to 2019, managed to form a new centrist coalition government and took office on December 13, 2023.
One of his first moves was to appoint a new culture minister, Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz, who announced on December 29 that he would not implement Czwartos’s project, citing the opinions and voices of the communities.
Instead, he said that Poland would be represented by Open Group, a collective of artists who use video and performance to explore the issues of identity, memory, and participation.
Open Group’s project, titled “Repeat After Me”, is a video that shows the artists repeating phrases in different languages, such as “I am a citizen of the world”, “I am a patriot”, and “I am a human being”.
The project aims to challenge the viewers to reflect on their own beliefs and values, and to engage in a dialogue with others.
Czwartos reacted with outrage and disappointment to the decision, and accused the new government of censorship and violation of his rights.
He said that his project was selected in an open competition, and that he had signed a contract with the Zachęta Gallery, which was legally binding.
He also said that the decision was contrary to the regulations and principles of the Biennale, which respect the autonomy and freedom of the artists and the curators.
He said that he would appeal the decision and seek legal action to defend his project and his reputation.
The new government defended its decision, saying that it had the right and the duty to review and change the previous government’s policies, especially when they were controversial and divisive.
It also said that it had consulted with the Biennale’s organizers and the Zachęta Gallery, and that it had received their approval and support.
It said that Open Group’s project was more suitable and relevant for the Biennale’s theme and spirit, and that it would showcase Poland’s openness and solidarity.
The controversy over Poland’s pavilion has sparked a debate over the role and responsibility of art and politics, and over the meaning and value of national representation and cultural expression.
Some critics have argued that the new government’s decision was a sign of respect and sensitivity for the diversity and plurality of the Polish society and the international art community, and that it was a positive and progressive step for the country’s image and reputation.
Others have argued that the new government’s decision was a sign of disrespect and interference for the artistic and professional autonomy and integrity of Czwartos and the Zachęta Gallery, and that it was a negative and regressive step for the country’s artistic and cultural heritage.
The Venice Biennale, which will open on April 20, 2024, and run until November 6, 2024, will feature the works of 83 artists from 46 countries, and will be curated by the Lebanese architect and scholar Hashim Sarkis.
The Biennale, which was founded in 1895 and is held every two years, is considered one of the most influential and prestigious platforms for contemporary art, and attracts millions of visitors and media attention.
The Biennale, which is also known as the Olympics of art, is also a place where art and politics often collide and converge, and where national and cultural identities are celebrated and contested.
The Biennale, which is also a place where art and life meet and mingle, is also a place where we can ask ourselves: How will we live together? And how will we see each other?
