PHOTOS
Alicia Grega-Pikul
Conspicuously proud of his Polish heritage, illustrator Ted “Tedziu” Michalowski looked upon his trip to the homeland earlier this year as a chance not only to visit family but also to celebrate the culture’s tradition of radical poster art. His new exhibit
Michalowski CYRK opening at The Scranton Club this First Friday will introduce 11 new works inspired by the acclaimed posters of the Cold War era commissioned by the state to reinvigorate the image of modern circus.
“Graphically, it’s what Poland is known for,” Michalowski said. “It’s interesting because it’s all for theater, unlike America where (posters) are all for commerce. It’s really radical stuff and it’s all uncompromised where America is run to please the clients and not offend them.”
Communist governments have a reputation for social repression but in the instance of Polish poster art, its golden age is identified between the end of World War II and the fall of Communism, when the government funded its flourishing. Generally created in promotion of cultural events, these brilliantly colorful yet often darkly subversive works were prominently displayed in city streets plastered across fences hiding construction sites, according to the story of CYRK at
www.contemporaryposters.com.
“The artists developed a sophisticated visual language characterized by surreal and expressionist tendencies, a bold use of color, and macabre, often satirical humor. ... These posters’ images frequently contained explicit evocations of violence and sexuality,” wrote The Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan (
moma.org) in
promotion of its exhibit Polish Poster Art 1945-1989 on display through Nov. 30.
Of course, Michalowski’s images are only inspired by CYRK, not a literal tribute.
“There’s no pattern to follow because their work is so strongly individual. There’s such an artistic integrity to their work — they push in individual directions.”
Michalowski described his interpretation as surreal and whimsical. Like the other images in his portfolio they tend to feature his friends and students modeling in the guise of various performers. He has dedicated the show to his father Franciszek Michalowski.
“I had students pose as different mobs of clowns. Chazky Bennett is my strongman. Lee Millard is my lion tamer. John Gallone is my mad clown doctor. Chris Gratz is his own monster clown creation,” the artist said.
The reception for
Michalowski CYRK: Under the Influence of the Polish Poster will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. and will feature CYRK-themed music by Jason Smeltzer of When I Float Backwards on Theremin and the Christian Gratz Insanity.
“There’s going to be a really fun, wild Polish feel to the music as well,” Michalowski said.
Following the reception, the work will remain on display only through Nov. 13. For more information, call 344-8671 or visit
www.tedmichalowski.com.