Art in Poland

The Art Culture of Poland is closely connected with its intricate 1000 year history. The culture of Poland has a lot to do with everything in Poland. Its unique character developed at the crossroads of the Latinate and Byzantine worlds, in continual dialog with the many ethnic groups living in Poland. The people of Poland have always been hospitable to artists from abroad and eager to follow cultural and artistic trends popular in other countries. In the 19th and 20th centuries the Polish focus on cultural advancement often took precedence over political and economic activity. These factors have contributed to the versatile nature of Polish art, with all its complex nuances. Nowadays music festivals, concerts, theatre performances and other cultural events make essential part of any trip.  Moreover they are becoming one of the main motives to visit other countries or cities.  And cities play here the major role in organizing events and festival and  creating the right atmosphere for enjoying and experiencing culture. Each Polish city has a calendar filled with local and international events that offer the highest quality, still at the moderate price.

 

The variety of music, from folk through jazz to modern classical music makes the country a good destination for all music lover. Soak up the culture of Poland, which is a colourful mixture of Eastern and Western European influences, in some of the country’s most notable museums. The museums’ collections are vast and note-worthy, although experts believe that a huge chunk of the valuable items were destroyed during World War II, when most areas where collections were stored were almost completely destroyed. Anybody visiting Poland will be surprised by the range and diversity of folk art and handicrafts that have endured for many years. There is an impressive amount of them in markets and galleries all over the country. What is more, you can even encounter them on the parking areas of major tourist sites. And yet, during the long Communist period, popular artistic expression, often connected with religious or pagan beliefs, was not encouraged. Despite all this, handicraft, like folk dancing and regional costumes, was so dear to the heart of the Poles that they could not do without them. To this day, Poland is well known for its handicraft goods and folk art that are deeply rooted in Polish tradition.

 

Art

Polish art is varied and rich. Historians differ as to the periodization of the various stages through which Poland passed. It should be emphasized that Poland did experience, as did other European countries, the distinct eras of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Impressionism and Modern art and architecture. These periods never have sharp edges in any country; they melt, blur and shade into each other. Works of art in Poland have a very strong European flavour, and have evolved quite beautifully during recent years. The unique characteristics of the artworks can be seen in various museums and galleries throughout the country, with the addition of fascinating modern Polish art pieces to make things even more interesting. Jan Matejko (1838-1893) was Poland's greatest national historical painter. Familiar with history and archaeological studies, Matejko decided to portray the honour and glory of the past in massive canvases such as "The Battle of Grunwald." Every detail of costume and background was assiduously and correctly portrayed by the master and his students.

 

Music

The music of Poland is as colourful as its heritage and culture, and it seems that almost every genre is covered with the variety of artists in this country. The classical pieces of Chopin never fail to move even the most seasoned of music lovers, while folk musicians give a different vibe to the local music scene. It should also be noted that rock and hip hop music seem to have a bigger following in Poland compared to pop music, so don’t be surprised if you hear the latest hip hop and rock music coming from most homes and establishments in the country. Fredryk Chopin (1810-1849) is the most beloved of Polish composers, though many people still think he was French. Indeed his father was French, but Chopin was born in Poland. His home is now a national shrine. He used the themes and rhythms of his native land making them part of the world's musical heritage.

 

Dance

Polish dance contains elements of many cultures. Interaction historically with Czechs, Russians, Germans, Swedes, Bohemians, Ukrainians and Turks has produced a rich variety of uniquely Polish dances, such as the kujawiak, krakowiak and oberek. Americans tend to associate the polka with true Polish culture, but those who visit Poland never see the polka performed. The association of the polka with Poland is partly due to the close word resemblance (a Polka means a female Pole in the Polish language) and the mutation of the above native Polish dances, upon their transplantation to American soil. Two state-sponsored Polish dance troupes are the Mazowsze and Slask who perform all over the world. Polish dance and music has a long history and is alive and very popular today.

 

Handicrafts

Bright splashes of colour and vibrant designs characterize traditional Polish handicrafts.These include folk art using a variety of materials, such as paper, wood, clay and even eggs. Some of these crafts are still practiced in the 21st century and can be purchased in ethnic stores  or online at websites specializing in Polish cultural products. Some of the greatest attractions for tourists in Poland are products such as: hand-woven tapestries, embroidered tablecloths and doilies which are part of the folk art of many regions of Poland. They are usually sold in Cepelia shops scattered all around the country, especially in big cities.

 

Jewellery

Designer jewellery, another high-profile Polish craft, as well as amber products are also attractive. Amber is an especially renowned raw material in Poland. It is a fossilized tree resin that ranges in colour from cream through translucent yellow and orange to rich brown. It is considered to be the symbol of the Baltic, a precious gift that many contemporary designers continue to cut. The translucent material is turned into jewellery that is extremely popular in Poland. What is more, as amber artefacts epitomize Polish craftsmanship, amber is also used for lampshades, medals or clocks.

 

Cut Glass

Poland has also a long tradition of high-quality cut glass- widely known as crystal. The most beautiful cut glass is made in many Silesian factories where glass production started as early as the 14th century. The delicate hand-cut patterns on perfectly transparent glass are famous all over the world.

 

 

 

Wycinanki

"Wycinanki" (pronounced vee-chee-non-kee) describes a traditional Polish paper cutting craft, which dates back to the19th century, when the ancient art of Chinese paper cutting spread to Europe. Paper cutting in Poland includes two design styles. "Kurpie" is symmetrical, cut from a single piece of folded coloured paper, usually depicting spruce trees and birds. Designs from Poland's Lowicz district are characterized by many layers of bright coloured paper cut in a more free-form fashion.

 

Carved Wooden Boxes

Handcrafted boxes, carved from native Linden wood from the Tatra mountain region of Poland, are traditional crafts that utilize wood carving, burning and staining techniques. Many are adorned with brass and copper inlays and painted with intricate brushes. Some boxes illustrate Polish culture with images of the "Lady of Czestochowa," known as the "Black Madonna" as well as mountain flowers. Others reflect more universal elements with carved rosettes, hearts, crosses and love birds. A range of sizes makes these boxes suitable for a variety of uses.

 

Pisanki Eggs

Eggs are exchanged among family members in Poland during the Easter celebration to signify friendship and love. Polish women wax and dye these eggs before the holiday, utilizing a craft known as Pisanki (or Pysanki). They use a hollow metal tool known as a "kistka," to draw wax designs onto eggs. The kistka is filled with wax and has a pin-sized head to control the flow. Similar to traditional batik and the tjanting tool, the wax creates a resist when designs are painted on with dyes. Pisanki has become a popular traditional Polish craft practiced even outside of Poland.

 

Pottery

Pottery is an early Polish craft begun without lathes or intricate machinery. Boleslawiec pottery, unlike many pieces of European stoneware, contains no lead and can be used for cooking and tableware. Boleslawiec pottery dates back to the 16th century in the Silesia region of the country, which is abundant with rich minerals, including clay. Bright coloured painting on pottery is characteristic of the Boleslawiec style, especially the white and navy-blue crockery lavishly decorated with either flowers or circles. Decorative elements are applied to the surface of the pottery using a traditional " punch" technique. A variety of paint soaked stamps are utilized for a single piece of pottery using this design method. The most popular porcelain from Cmielow is available all over Poland.