Jan Bogusławski (1910-1982). According to the principles of art and his own liking
Jan Bogusławski was one of the great figures of 20th-century Polish architecture. He designed buildings and interiors, as well as furniture, architectural details and illuminated advertisements.
He took on the challenge of rebuilding the capital, including the reconstruction of the Royal Castle, and designed some of Warsaw’s iconic modernist buildings, such as the Chemia Pavilion. At the same time, he created outstanding examples of sacred architecture, including the co-cathedral in Stalowa Wola. He was passionate about sculpture, painting, music and literature, and drew on the principles of art in developing his own architectural forms.
His work in furniture design developed along several different paths: he designed furniture for private homes as well as for luxurious representative interiors, including those of the Office of the Council of Ministers. His multifaceted body of work resists any single common denominator, except perhaps one: Bogusławski can be regarded as one of the last great individualists of the pre-war generation of Polish architects.
Cellini once said that Perseus was his greatest sculptural achievement because he created it “according to the rules of art and his own taste.” I look to the works of the past for the rules of art and beauty, so that I can create new forms according to them – guided by my own taste.
– interview with Prof. Jan Bogusławski [interviewed by Marek Sadzewicz], Stolica, 1954, no. 32 (346), pp. 2–3.
Info
Place and dates:
4 July–30 September 2024
Institute of Industrial Design, 5/7 Świętojerska Street, Warsaw
Opening hours:
Monday–Friday: 11:00 am–7:00 pm
Saturday–Sunday: 12:00 pm–7:00 pm
Programme
We have developed a programme that expands on the themes explored in the exhibition.
The events are aimed at audiences of all ages, from experts and professionals to enthusiasts. We invite you to join us for lectures, workshops, exhibition talks and guided walks through the city.
Colophon
Organiser: National Institute of Architecture and Urban Planning
Co-organiser: Institute of Industrial Design in Warsaw
Academic Curator: Prof. Bolesław Stelmach
Curator: Weronika Sołtysiak
Coordinator: Artur Wosz
Exhibition Architecture: Jan Strumiłło, Paulina Bukowska
Visual Identity: Honza Zamojski
Communications: Dominik Witaszczyk, Katarzyna Nestorowicz, Aleksandra Zaszewska
Accompanying Programme Coordinator: Marta Baranowska
Educational Programme for Young People: Karolina Scheibe-Skorczyk
IWP Collaboration: Katarzyna Borowska, Katarzyna Puczyłowska
Media Partners: Spotkania z Zabytkami, Vogue Polska, DesignAlive, RMF Classic
A printed catalogue will accompany the exhibition.
Acknowledgements: Jerzy Bogusławski, Karolina Grobelska, Julia Dzienisiewicz, Anna Maga, Anna Kostrzyńska-Miłosz, Bożena Opioła, Małgorzata and Tomek Sikora, Katarzyna Uchowicz
We have made every effort to identify all holders of the economic copyrights to the works presented in the exhibition.
We would like to thank all the individuals and institutions whose contributions made the exhibition possible.
Co-financed by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage