Opening up! – Ujazdowski Castle Centre for Contemporary Art

We are airing the corridors, opening the windows and doors, letting the air in and generating movement. And we want you to be a part of it. The autumn-winter programme Opening Up! features over 40 autonomous artistic projects. They include exhibitions, workshops, performance and sound events and video screenings, as well as discussions about the future of institutions and artistic practices. We have selected projects from 734 applications that we received as part of an open call announced in the summer.

This autumn and winter, you will be able to, among other things, plan your own funeral; cheer on or take part in sports competitions of artists; read the choreographers’ newspaper and perform moves together; watch a documentary about a group of Lebanese teenagers taking over an architectural icon of modernism; learn what Afrofuturism is and how it can be useful to us; take part in workshops on cooperatives; immerse yourself in soundscapes, watch experimental films and talk about the future of video art; learn about the works of Polish artists working with textiles; and explore the park around the castle in search of sculptures-turned-animal-homes. And much, much more.

This diversity of voices, artistic practices, media and themes is intentional. In the middle of the year – as a result of staff changes – it turned out that the Ujazdowski does not have a programme for this autumn and winter. We decided to turn uncertainty into strength and, by seeking out what is new, follow the path we know well. What has always distinguished the Ujazdowski Castle Centre for Contemporary Art is its openness to experiment and enter into dialogue with artists and audiences. This is why for two decades we have been running a residency programme for artists and curators, and for over a decade our Project Room has been a space for young artists. Many editions of both programmes were preceded by an open call for projects and artists. This formula suits us because it flattens hierarchies and allows us to notice peripheral phenomena, while also providing insights into what is happening in the centre. It brings curators and artists together in joint work. Therefore, in the face of uncertainty about the programme, we resorted to the open call formula. Many artists have not shown their work here in recent years. Many have not visited us for a long time. We are “opening up” to each other: finding our bearings anew, listening, narrating, talking to you; formulating questions and looking for answers together. Open up with us!