Festival of Art in Public Spaces

Leszek Lewandowski

LESZEK LEWANDOWSKI (born 1960 in Świerklaniec, lives and works in Katowice)

He graduated from the Graffic Arts Department of the Krakow Art Academy. He was a holder of Transfer (1998) and the Ministry of Culture and Art (1990, 2000, 2007)grants. He works as a curator in Sektor I Gallery in the Upper Silesian Cultural Centre. He is a co-founder of Sektor Foundation.

In the 90's the artist painted large format abstract paintings whose monochromatic surface was covered with thick texture. A characteristic motif were vertical and diagonal lines which in later paintings changed into spirals. In his later works the individual touch of the painter is reduced and the paintings swiftly move into kinetic pictures. The artist made use of optical illusions and movement. "Złudzenie równoległoboku" ("Rhomboid illusion") in a minimalist way, like in the exercises in geometry, proves that human perception is illusory. In the series of kinetic objects ("+ -", "Czas ucieka", "Akwarium") the artist introduced colour filters which absorb a certain range of the spectrum.

In "Pokój zwierzeń" ("Confession Room") ,2002, Lewandowski examines the influence of optical illusions on perception and evoking particular states. In the arranged room there was a chaise longue which brought up associations with a couch in the psychotherapist's office and a projection of spinning spirals which were to cause the feeling of relaxation, disturbed balance and levitation. The artist also used optical illusions in "Imaginoskop"

"Wejście" ("The Entrance"),2007, was realized in the doors of the main building of the National Museum in Krakow. The visitors are introduced into the unusual depths of the space created by the system of mirrors and fluorescent lamps. Lewandowski put the lamps inside the object enabling the insight into the mysterious space created by the multiple reflection of lights. In "Portret Trumienny" ("A Coffin Portrait"), "Memento" and "Matzeva" from 2006, created by using a similar technique, there is an additional transcendental element. Endless dephts and ascetic forms of pentacle, cross and tombstone evoke associations with our striving toward the Absolute.

During the Open City Festival the latest installation of the artist will be shown. "Kanał" ("Sewer"), 2009, imitates a manhole. It is a well with concrete edges and a mirror and lights installed inside. Looking into the well you have an impression that the it is bottomless and the lights inside are getting smaller and smaller creating an endless tunnel. The title "Sewer" is a reference to the events of the Second World War, especially the Warsaw Uprising. It will be shown in one of the gates in the Old Town of Lublin.