Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union

Arranged in the atrium of the Council of the European Union building by Supergirls Do Design (Marta Szostek, Matylda Halkowicz, Natalia Wojciechowska), the “We Are The Weather” installation by Alicja Patanowska showcases water – the symbol of life – as a metaphor for species-to-species interdependence, encouraging reflection on solidarity in the face of global challenges. The multicoloured curtain used in the installation arrangement was made of Dekoma’s Piuma – a light, transparent, digitally printed net curtain fabric.

“We Are The Weather” has been inspired by Jonathan Safran Foer’s book, “We Are the Weather: Saving the Planet Begins at Breakfast” (2019). The installation consists of three elements, which emphasise the urgent need for solidarity and collaboration in the face of global challenges. The ceramic fountains tell the story of climate change. The cobalt “water catchers” remind visitors that water is a priceless and life-giving resource and the ceramic tiles illustrate its scarcity. The setting for the installation has been arranged by designers from the Supergirls Do Design studio. They have connected Alicja Patanowska’s ceramic objects with a fluid line, reminiscent of water. The wave, represented in the shape of the carpeting, construction elements and the delicate Piuma fabric, printed in a specially designed gradient, guides viewers along the Justus Lipsius atrium, providing direction to the exhibition.

Culture sparks unity

Alicja Patanowska’s installation is just one of nearly 100 cultural events taking place in 22 European countries as part of the international cultural programme of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union titled “Culture sparks unity”. Organised by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, the programme spans across both the European Union Member States and accession countries. Majority of the events will take place in Brussels. The programme features concerts, performances, exhibitions, film screenings and literary meetings. Europeans will have a unique opportunity to experience all that is current, new and relevant in Polish culture. They will learn about the most captivating phenomena of contemporary Polish art and its creators.

Regeneration

During the Polish Presindency, the most important spaces of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament will feature Polish art, design and graphics. The multi-themed presentation, curated by Aleksandra Kędziorek, includes works by Polish artists and creators, often of the youngest generation, boldly entering the international scene. Its main theme is “Regeneration”, which highlights the importance of caring for our shared resources, building resilience, practicing interpersonal and inter-species solidarity and fostering a sense of security.

One of the key aspects to this part of the Polish cultural programme is an installation by Alicja Biała in the main forum of the Europa building (the seat of the  Council of the European Union), titled “Underneath the Hard Ground, Soft Ground”. The artist used traditional copper-plate engraving in a modern setting.  The twelve large brass panels show Central European plants with regenerative properties, whose vegetation cycles follow the months of the year. They create a “garden” featuring outlines of human figures, reminding us that nature and humans are one.

Furthermore, the building of the European Parliament in Brussels has now become the venue for the exhibition of Polish art from the Parliament’s and Polish collections (those from Warsaw galleries and private collectors), serving as a space for reflection and admiration of the splendor of nature. The exhibition is curated by Aleksandra Kędziorek.

The presentation of Polish art in the buildings of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament in Brussels is complemented by Polish design, drawing and graphics. Architect Katarzyna Baumiller has designed the Presidency rooms as special spaces for relaxation and quiet work, using the most interesting projects of contemporary Polish designers. For instance, Roman Modzelewski’s iconic RM58 chair stands next to the modern, slim Blampa lamp by Kajetan Luteracki from Bluba Studio and Ewa Baraniewska’s lamp-sculptures. Moreover, EU officials will have an opportunity to admire ceramic projects by Pani Jurek, furniture by Noti, The Good Living Co. and Nodi, ceramic vases by Malwina Konopacka and decorative objects by Totem Studio. The exhibition also features artistic fabrics from creators such as Edgar Bąk, Zofia Strumiłło-Sukiennik, Jakub Święcicki and the Splot brand. The second part of the presentation, also created by Katarzyna Baumiller, has opened at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Artist: Alicja Patanowska
Curator: Ola Kędziorek
Exhibition design: Supergirls Do Design
Organiser: The Adam Mickiewicz Institute
Production: Marcin Baranowski
Photography: Marek Swoboda

For detailed information about the cultural programme of the Polish Presidency, please visit: https://poland2025eu.culture.pl/