The opening of the “2024 International Design Exhibition & Marketplace, Featuring Poland, Italy and Finland” was everything and more that the organizers could have hoped for: stunning and diverse artwork, artists eager to talk with the excited attendees, an international crowd, and a wine reception with Polish pierogi, Finnish meatballs, and Italian cookies (all very yummy!)
For those of us who came to the opening primarily interested in its Polish section, all of this, together with a couple of last-minute “finishing touches” – like Jarosław Gołębiowski playing Chopin music throughout the evening, and two members of “Bractwo Kurkowe” (Cezary Zawadziński and Daniel Naworol) who showed up wearing traditional Polish gentry attire – created a wonderful atmosphere which made for an unforgettable evening.
The exhibit is an example of the excellent collaboration between three entities, the Metropolitan Museum of Design Detroit (MM-O-DD), Friends of Polish Art (FPA) and the Polish Institute of Culture and Research at Orchard Lake Schools (PICROL). More about this later.
We should start with trying to explain what the Metropolitan Museum of Design Detroit is, and it is a tall order, as the Museum, established in 2015, is so much more than a traditional exhibition space for art. It successfully strives to provide rich, diverse, immersive, participatory experiences for “creatives”, including artists, art admirers as well as other people interested in making a positive change locally and globally. In the MM-O-DD’s succinct mission statement, we read: “The Metropolitan Museum of Design Detroit Provides Access to Educational Enrichment and Experiential Opportunities to Diverse Communities.” Please look at the MM-O-DD’s web site, which will give you a better understanding of what the MM-O-DD does.
The current show, the seventh of this type, featuring the cultures of the three chosen countries, was advertised on Instagram with the following message: “Detroit Heritage is for real. Detroit is multicultural. MM-O-DD connects cultures.”
The exhibition has many collaborators and took months of intense preparations.
On the evening of November 8th all these efforts came together beautifully.
The Polish part of the exhibition was made possible due to the efforts of Friends of Polish Art (FPA) and the Polish Institute of Culture and Research at Orchard Lake (PICROL).
While both organizations were instrumental in providing financial support and identifying the art and the artists, Leslie Ann Pilling, the MM-O-DD Founder and President, curated the show.
And the results are amazing.
In the smaller, heritage section of the exhibition, we can see paintings by Polish masters (two landscapes by Julian Fałat, and a hunt scene by Juliusz Kossak), which come from the PICORL collection, a Solidarity szopka, on loan from Eugenia and Tadeusz Górecki, an Opoczno folk costume on loan from Donna and Tom Skurski, and two pieces of so called “Kraków Glass”.
In the much larger contemporary section, visitors can view paintings by Dennis Orłowski and Andrea Slomczenski, metal sculptures by Martin Zane Skalski and ceramics by James Kaye. Separate from this section, there are also three colorful and intricately woven glass pieces by Mark Lewanski. They are in the nook to the left before the entrance to the main gallery space. Do not miss them when you come to view the show which will be open through December 21.
Every success has many “parents”; so does this one. However, the Polish participation in this year’s MM-O-DD International Design Exhibition & Marketplace might not have happened if not for Jessica Saunders, a former intern at the MM-O-DD, and a recipient of the American Council for Polish Culture scholarship in 2023, who last January approached the FPA about the possibility of participating in the show. The FPA liked the idea from the start, but needed a co-partner, which the organization found in the Polish Institute of Culture and Research at Orchard Lake.
FPA and PICROL immediately recognized this as a great opportunity to showcase the Polish cultural heritage to a larger audience, as well as to promote contemporary Polish American artists, goals very important to them and their missions.
Among the opening attendees were Richard Walawender, the Honorary Consul of Poland, Ann Bankowski, former PAC MI Division President, Joseph Majcher, from the Orchard Lake Schools Board of Regents, Iwona Wertenberger and Andrzej Dolata of the Polish Cultural Fund – Ann Arbor, and Eugenia and Tadeusz Górecki, whose exquisite szopka is in the show. At least twenty FPA members enjoyed the opening, while Ann Arbor Polonia was also very well represented.
It is not easy to convey all of the great excitement and uplifting energy of the opening night. Fashion was a big part of the evening, and two “Wawel” dancers wearing Polish costumes (from Rzeszów and Nowy Sącz) as well as the “Polish gentry” fit right in. The latter even strolled around the room with glamorous models in haute couture Italian dresses.
It was a true meeting of three cultures, with – as intended – “Polish” visitors exploring the Finish and Italian sections, and vice versa. Artists talked to each other; we spotted the muralist Dennis Orłowski deep in conversation with Finnish designer Aki Choklat, whose footwear was on display. Through these meetings new connections were born which might lead to new ideas and mutual/shared projects in the future.
Friends of Polish Art and the Polish Institute of Culture and Research want to express their deep gratitude to Leslie Ann Pilling and the MM-O-DD for promoting Polish art and culture and for making Polish art a part of this year’s International Design Exhibition & Marketplace Exhibition.
The Polish Weekly congratulates the organizers, as they have every reason to take pride in their creation and celebrate their success!
The MM-O-DD is open Wednesday – Saturday, 12-4 pm or by appointment (feel free to arrange an individual viewing.)
The following institutions and people were instrumental in putting this exhibition together: MM-O-DD (Leslie Ann Pilling, Pamela Saunders and the staff), FPA (Brian Malski and Alina Klin), Alicja Karlic (Polish Media at PICROL), PICROL (John Radzilowski, Elijah Majeski and Ania Bieciuk ), Eugenia and Tadeusz Górecki, Donna and Tom Skurski (Wawel Folk Ensemble).
The FPA wants to thank the following organizations and individuals for their financial support of the exhibition: Raymond Okonski and Suzanne Sloat Foundation (Dennis & Susan Walkowiak, Legacy Donor Sponsor), American Council for Polish Culture, Polish Roman Catholic Union of America, Polish American Federal Credit Union, Dobrusin Law Firm, Polish Cultural Fund – Ann Arbor, Tekla Vintage, Dinka Dental, Polish Day Parade, American Polish Cultural Society, Wally & Joan Ozog, and Alina Klin & David Rhine.
Text and photos: Alina Klin
