Red-Eye Effect: 21st Century Polish Photography, Centre for Contemporary Art (Ujazdwoski Castle, ul. Jazdów 2). Open until Sept. 7. Admission PLN 12.
The Ujazdowski Castle, always at the forefront of Warsaw’s contemporary art scene, now presents a broad view of Poland’s most recent photography. With nearly 100 photographers on display, the show creates a riveting tension by featuring fine artists alongside documentary photographers, photojournalists, paparazzi and amateurs.
Some of the most intriguing work comes from the latter, especially in a collection of Internet photography finds by artist Mikołaj Długosz, who presents them unaltered but blown up to “art” size, creating a truly disturbing view of everyday reality.
The other end of the spectrum is equally engaging. The documentary work by the Zorka Projekt team of Monika Redzisz and Monika Bereżecka explores the “average Polish family” in a series of seemingly conventional portraits that pack a quiet but powerful punch, while photojournalist Albert Zawada presents a classically grim view of the Warszawa Centralna train station.
In fact, it would be hard to identify a major weak point here. The huge exhibition shows that the lack of funding for big-name shows can be a blessing in disguise, motivating curators to find some real gems closer to home.