Studio BWA Wrocław closes the 2023 with a captivating exhibition, “After Us,” offering a glimpse into potential future scenarios inspired by archeofuturism and antiquated visions of the apocalypse. This thought-provoking showcase is entirely crafted by individuals, the eldest of whom is merely thirty years old. Immerse yourself in a quest for bygone futures – those moments never realised but still waiting to materialise, excavated from the depths of imaginative minds.
As the familiar contours of our world fade, the age-old pursuit of predicting the future takes centre stage. From ancient divination and clairvoyance to the more contemporary, albeit sceptically regarded, field of futurology, humanity’s fascination with foreseeing what lies ahead is an enduring thread throughout history. Amidst prophesies and visions of apocalyptic futures, the promised doomsdays often prove elusive, and the foretold slow demise of our shared future turns out to be just another misjudgment.
The “After Us” exhibition endeavours to transcend the dichotomies of apocalyptic and techno-optimistic discourses concerning the future of life on Earth. Spanning diverse mediums, including books, videos, and spatial installations, the artworks delve into the inner selves of both humans and non-humans. Some pieces, like Weronika Zalewska’s work, explore a link preserved in formaldehyde, while others, such as Linda Lach’s creations, observe the effervescence of fate and the trajectory of our lives. Meanwhile, artists like Anna Banout design the distant future as a means to salvage the past.
Curated by Cezary Wicher, who aptly quotes Marinetti’s “Futurist Manifesto” to highlight that the oldest contributors to “After Us” are a mere thirty years old, the exhibition encapsulates the ethos of a young generation – the post-digital Gen Y and Z. This dynamic group, both artists and curator alike, manifests a vibrant intellectual energy, seeking new foundations for existence in the world, rediscovering forgotten founts of knowledge, and engaging in speculative fabulations.
The impetus for this exhibition sprang from a series of works by 19th/20th-century French graphic artist Jean-Marc Côté. Originally prepared for the Universal Exhibition in Paris, his series “En l’an 2000” reflected optimistic visions for the future. In revisiting these predictions, the curator drew inspiration from science fiction luminary Isaac Asimov, who collected Côté’s dispersed works in his book “Futuredays.” This archival endeavour preserved the scattered images within a single publication, encapsulating the unrealized future that lingered just around the corner.
This exhibition, rooted in potential future scenarios, draws attention to the intriguing linguistic nuance in Polish, where the difference between past and future, “przeszłość” and “przyszłość,” lies in a single letter.
Curator Cezary Wicher, a graduate in Polish philology and cultural studies from the University of Wrocław, has left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape. His insightful writings on literature and visual arts, coupled with his role in the program teams of WRO 2021 and WRO 2023, and curatorship of the Mikoryza exhibition, underscore his commitment to the arts. Since 2021, he has been an invaluable part of BWA Wrocław, currently serving as an exhibition producer.
The roster of talented artists contributing to “After Us” includes Anna Banout, Eternal Engine (Martix Nawrot and Jagoda Wójtowicz), Karolina Grygier, Agata Konarska and Agata Lankamer, Jakub Kosecki, Linda Lach, Zuzanna Piekoszewska, Zuzanna Wołejko, and Weronika Zalewska. The exhibition production is in the capable hands of Gabriela Pezda, while Żaneta Wańczyk spearheads promotion, and Kinga Gralak takes charge of visual identification. Joanna Stembalska holds the crucial role of curator of the gallery, and Port Lotniczy Wrocław S.A. stands as a valued partner in this artistic endeavour.
After Us – 10 November 2023 – 13 January 2024
Studio BWA Wrocław
46a/301 Ruska Street (third floor)
50-079 Wrocław, Poland
Follow @bwawroclaw on Instagram to keep up with the gallery and upcoming exhibitions. More info on past, present and future exhibitions on their official website here.
