Exhibition of Polish Theater Poster

¶ … modern art through concepts normally associated with media is a relatively new one. Yet, the dimensions of the context associated with the birds eye view of a culture as viewed through the advertisement for fine art exhibition is a substantially modern and fascinating message. The current exhibition at the IVC gallery of Polish theater posters is demonstrative of a successful representation of the rebirth of an artistic expression. Even in the case that the work itself, the theatrical production, may or may not have been successful the advertisement for it can be seen as an independent work of its own.

The success of Polish poster art had strong artistic foundations and was not only due to the advantageous social conditions. The graphic artists who established the Polish poster school were first and foremost excellent artists. (IVC Gallery Website)

The demonstrative work associated with Polish Poster art created a social movement that funded and established a permanent museum dedicated solely to poster art from the genre.

Two works of particular interest are the poster for Madame Sans Gene, and a poster advertising a production written by the Polish writer Iwan Turgieniew. Both works are a simple female figure in a central and balanced composition. The poster with the least mystery, for the production Madame Sans Gene, artist unknown is representative a very youthful and expressive female figure in bust like portrait pose, wearing a very large Napoleonic military cap, shadowing her eyes, but showing her youthful nose and full sensual painted mouth with a high honor medal on the lapel of a simple camisole which cradles her large bosom. The work is simplistic and has the tenor of Japanese anemia without the refined edge. The colors are as bold and seductive as the youthful and seductive lips of the young maiden depicted in the work. The theatrical presentation took place at Teatr Muzyczy W. Goyyni and represents a work written by Wiktoryna Sardou with music by Stefas Kisielewski, starring Antoni Marianowicz and Janusz Minkiewicz. The message of the work represents the theme of the play, the story of a French Washerwoman that becomes a duchess and befriends Napoleon. ("Madame Sans Gene" website)

The second work, much more mysterious that advertises the work by Turgieniew, Miesi-c na wsi demonstrates a similar composition, with a portrait like bust in a centralized position. The work is shadowy and out of focus, with e female figure cut out, as if surrounded by a shadowy doily of spring flowers. The work stands alone and could easily be a piece of fine art. The captivating female figure, has a shadowy look of concern upon her face. The color is demonstrative of the shadowy figure, and could be viewed effectively in black and white. The work is both mysterious and meaningful in that it captivates the viewer, hoping for more clarity with continued viewing.