Self – Identification

The heart of the collection by Joanna and Krzysztof Madelski is the Polish photography of the second half of the 20thcentury. Its character is determined by the inclusion of video films, as well as a special role of the young generation artists and a permanent long-lasting cooperation with artists – all of which constitutes the pillars of the collection. The exhibition at The Fort Institute of Photography reflect its character by starting from the classic works of Ewa Partum in the “Self-identification” series, presenting video performances by such artists as Katarzyna Kozyra, Agnieszka Polska, and Alicja Żebrowska, as well as reviewing some newer works (e.g. by Mia Dudek and Anna Grzelewska). The issues related to the topic of politics and the body, identity and sexuality remain the common denominator of the presented photographs and videos. For a few years now, the collection has been presented in both public and private institutions (including the National Museum in Gdańsk, Museum of the City of Lodz, to name the public ones, and a private Artstations Foundation in Poznań). The exhibition in Warsaw – the fifth in a row – gives the floor to the artists and invites them to take part in the discussion on the rights of women and sexual minorities. This is a fundamental discussion, which seemed to be closed and rooted in the past, but in reality it remains still open, like the performance of Ewa Partum.