Images Set in Motion

According to its simplest definition, video art is a type of art that uses moving pictures. But the sequential arrangement of frames that imitates motion is only the form. The other defining aspect is the content. It is the element that brings art to life, animating its artistic mechanism.
Each of the annual exhibitions organised as part of “Metropolis is OK” Festival is devoted to art created in a different medium. This year we have opted for film. And while we are presenting creations of nearly all major Tri-City artists employing this technique, they may not be their most important works. That is because the films have been selected according to their content, to which we would like to draw your attention. They are all melancholy, slow-paced, with simple frames, made up of static images. Despite the apparent lack of dynamics in their form, they all – as I see it – depict the mechanisms that inevitably set the surrounding world in motion. However, they present the possible responses to these mechanisms from a variety of angles. There is resistance as well as blissful submission and going with the flow; there is also creative utilisation, cooperation and attitude. But there is no stagnation, no standstill or deadlock. Motion is forced by motion here. And I have an impression that it is a very good mechanism of incessantly generated change. The mechanism of life.

Works of such symbolic and universal significance might provide a good excuse to take stock of the year that has passed. Let me take this opportunity to wish you another year animated by continuous, invigorating motion. I also wish you the power to decide independently about the direction and dynamics of the motion that you take over.
Olga Miłogrodzka

Exhibition Preview: 30/12/2013, 6 p.m.
Start: 6 p.m.
Free entry

Dominik Lejman / “A4” (2007)
Adam Witkowski / “New Order” (2012)
Dorota Nieznalska / “169 k.k” (2010)
Marek Zygmunt / “Element” (2000)
Wojciech Zamiara / ”I do not know” (1992)
Piotr Wyrzykowski / “Beta Nassau” (1993)
Aleksandra Went & Alicja Karska / “Obieg zamknięty” (2006)
Mateusz Pęk / “Matrix – 330 sztuk” (“Matrix – 330 pieces”)(2005)
Bogna Burska / „Flashback” (2004)

Exhibition is open until 16 January 2014