Art and the Printing Press - Contemporary Polish Engravers
ADAFA has its headquarter nearby the Civic Museum, it easy to get there by walking.
It is in an historic building, we got there soon after the end of the Biennal Grand Opening.
Thus, again in the late afternoon of Saturday, 16th March, in the ADAFA halls, with the
participation of the Polish Consul in Milan, Dr. Ms Alessandra Kralkowska,
has been held the Grand Opening of the exhibition "Contemporary Polish Engravers".
Photo shows, from left to right; prof. Angelo Rescaglio (ADAFA presidente), Dr. Alessandra
Kralkowska (Polish Consul in Milan), and Vladimiro Elvieri (Curator of the Biennal)
In the words of Vladimiro Elvieri, this parallel exhibition is a tribute to Poland.
Engraving and graphic arts in general occupy a primary position in Poland and are not considered
as a minor means of expression but rely on a solid tradition based on extraordinary technical
qualities. We can mention the well known Triennal of Cracow, that since 1966, together with
Ljubljana (Slovenia) became one of the capitals of international graphics.
The art of engraving - thanks to the possibility of duplication - was often used in book
publishing and became a privileged means of diffusion of ideas and culture in countries
like Poland, suffering too many years of a strong Iron curtain Totalitarism.
The present exhibition, whose curator is prof. Witold Skulicz, President of the Cracow Print
Triennal Society and a relevant expert in the field, focuses on the recent developments
in the field of Polish engraving - 25 artists, by means of extraordinary techniques, exhibit
about 50 works; techniques vary from woodcuts to copperplate engraving, as well as superb examples of
modern linocuts (maximum size is 50x70 cm).
Second photo shows, left, Vladimiro Elvieri; center, prof. Dino Formaggio and Consul Dr. Alessandra
Kralkowska; right, Leon Zakrasek, artist, commissioner for Slovenia, Japan, Bosnia and Erzegovina.
According to Witold Skulicz, President of the Cracow Print Triennal Society, "the exhibition
'Graphic Triennal of Cracow' has visited almost every country in Europe in the last ten years.
For the first time we are invited in Italy. Even though the Cracow Exhibition is organized by the
Triennal of Graphics, this particular invitation has been made possible thanks to the creative
efforts of the generation of artists who confirmed the fame of Polish graphics in the world.
It is a great honor to have received the status 'pays invité' in the land of Mantegna,
Leonardo da Vinci, Piranesi; a country whose immense cultural heritage has influenced the
establishment of Slavic culture in Poland."
Kisses, hugs, flowers and a rich buffet closed the day.
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Artifex wishes to thank Mr. Vladimiro Elvieri for his help;
photos are © and are courtesy of the organization.
© Artifex 2003 - All rights reserved.