Hmm… a problem exhibition

The Hmm… exhibition featured thirty objects, paintings, films, and installations… Some were the work of acclaimed artists, and others were from the collection of the Arsenał Gallery. Also included were “found objects”. The majority of the artists responded to questions concerning their work and their expectations of viewers. Some of the responses have been put up on the gallery walls. The works did not bear the names of the authors or titles, but were merely numbered. We asked people visiting the exhibition to complete a questionnaire in order to get their opinions about specific works.

Anna Łazar
Karol Sienkiewicz

Dear Sir/ Madam,

The objects, paintings and films on display have been stripped of their primary points of reference, namely the name of the artist and the title of the work. Putting aside the question of what is art and is not art, we would like to ask you which of the works address relevant problems and encourage intellectual engagement, and which do not. We would like you to share your reflections on paper. There is no single, proper answer – meaning is born between the artist and the audience.

The problem exhibition, organized by young talented artists proves that there are no taboos for art. A sensitive artist wants to save, and can sacralize anything that has yet to be displayed in a gallery and that has never been the object of interest for a viewer. I think the exhibition is very good and give all the exhibits a positive assessment because both the exhibits and the themes of the films shown are incredibly impressive.

In my opinion, art should be beautiful! And what differentiates an ordinary human being from an “artist” is probably the fact that the latter has a more developed sensitivity, broader horizons… He looks at the world and perceives more than a normal person does. And here most of the exhibits seem to serve nothing more than to provoke… Provocation is a weapon of mediocrity…