The gallery presents selection of travel photographs by one of the most interesting Polish artists Wojciech Zamecznik. He was a graphic designer, author of posters and album covers, designer of exhibitions and scenographies but the photography was his favourite medium.
Wojciech Zamecznik was a fairly frequent traveller, especially considering the standards of the People’s Republic of Poland. Majority of these ventures were related to his professional tasks – as a designer of Polish pavilions and fair booths, he had to travel in order to supervise the installation. Sometimes he also went on international field trips for artists organized by the Association of Polish Artists and Designers (ZPAP). He visited several Western European states, as well as the “sister countries,” at the time falling under the Soviet rule. Whilst on a journey, the artist filmed and photographed a lot – most of this shots were to act as souvenirs but occasionally Zamecznik would use the photographs in his graphic designs or present them at art photography exhibitions.
Albania
In 1955, the Association of Polish Artists and Designers (ZPAP) organized an exhibition of Polish art at the Tirana Museum. The show was accompanied by a field trip for artists from Poland. Its participants included Henryk Tomaszewski, Wojciech Fangor, and Tomasz Stryjecki.
Albanians on a terrace, Tirana, Albania (1955) by Wojciech ZamecznikArcheology of Photography Foundation
Ruined buildings, Albania (1955) by Wojciech ZamecznikArcheology of Photography Foundation
Street scene in Tirana, Albania (1955) by Wojciech ZamecznikArcheology of Photography Foundation
Street scene in Tirana, Albania (1955) by Wojciech ZamecznikArcheology of Photography Foundation
Laundry, Albania (1955) by Wojciech ZamecznikArcheology of Photography Foundation
Street scene in Tirana, Albania (1955) by Wojciech ZamecznikArcheology of Photography Foundation
Buildings in Albania (1955) by Wojciech ZamecznikArcheology of Photography Foundation
Street scene in Tirana, Albania (1955) by Wojciech ZamecznikArcheology of Photography Foundation
Street scene in Tirana, Albania (1955) by Wojciech ZamecznikArcheology of Photography Foundation
Street scene in Tirana, Albania (1955) by Wojciech ZamecznikArcheology of Photography Foundation
Portrait of an Albanian boy (1955) by Wojciech ZamecznikArcheology of Photography Foundation
Bulgaria
A trip to Bulgaria, via Hungary, was Wojciech Zamecznik’s first journey abroad. Taking place in 1953, deep in the middle of the socialist-realist era, it fell under the programme of cultural exchanges between the countries of the Eastern Bloc. The other participants of the programme included Tomasz Stryjecki and Irena Stryjecka, Marian and Regina Stępień, and Halina Zamecznik.
Street scene in Bulgaria (1953) by Wojciech ZamecznikArcheology of Photography Foundation
Rural scene in Bulgaria (1953) by Wojciech ZamecznikArcheology of Photography Foundation
Rural scene in Bulgaria (1953) by Wojciech ZamecznikArcheology of Photography Foundation
Buildings in Bulgaria (1953) by Wojciech ZamecznikArcheology of Photography Foundation
Socialist skyscraper in Bulgaria (1953) by Wojciech ZamecznikArcheology of Photography Foundation
France
Wojciech Zamecznik visited France twice – in 1955 and in 1962. During the first trip, he went only to Paris, where he and Henryk Tomaszewski were working on the design of the Polish stall at the International Fair in Paris. The second time round, he went on a private road trip with his wife, Halina Zamecznik, via Italy and Switzerland.
Street scene near the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur, Montmartre, Paris, France (1962) by Wojciech ZamecznikArcheology of Photography Foundation
Portrait of men, Paris, France (1955) by Wojciech ZamecznikArcheology of Photography Foundation
Ferris wheel in Paris, France (1955) by Wojciech ZamecznikArcheology of Photography Foundation
Italy
Zamecznik travelled to Italy several times– in 1956, 1958, 1959 and 1962. The first time round, he went there to supervise the installation of the Polish pavilion of Metalexport at an industrial fair in Milan. His last visit took place on the occasion of his holiday trip to Italy and France.
Street scene near the Pantheon, Rome, Italy (1956) by Wojciech ZamecznikArcheology of Photography Foundation
Cars near Milan Cathedral, Milan, Italy (1956/1959) by Wojciech ZamecznikArcheology of Photography Foundation
Men at fountain, Italy (1959) by Wojciech ZamecznikArcheology of Photography Foundation
The Spanish Stairs in Rome, Italy (1956) by Wojciech ZamecznikArcheology of Photography Foundation
Industrial scene in Milan, Italy (1956/1959) by Wojciech ZamecznikArcheology of Photography Foundation
Seascape with trees in Italy (1959) by Wojciech ZamecznikArcheology of Photography Foundation
Street scene in Italy (1959) by Wojciech ZamecznikArcheology of Photography Foundation
Street scene in Palermo, Italy (1956) by Wojciech ZamecznikArcheology of Photography Foundation
Street scene near unfinished nave wall of Siena Cathedral, Siena, Italy (1958) by Wojciech ZamecznikArcheology of Photography Foundation
Wojciech Zamecznik was was the precursor of using photography in graphic design. Thanks to his uncompromising experiments, he is considered one of the most interesting representatives of the Polish School of Posters. He used photo montage and the raster effect, achieved through blowing up images, but with time started experimenting and creating his own methods of copying, multiplying, and processing negatives and positives.
Archeology of Photography Foundation from Warsaw, Poland is taking care of Wojciech Zamecznik's archive.
More photos:
www.faf.org.pl/en/wojciech_zamecznik
