The exhibition showcases a collection of works from the 1950s to the present, reflects the ever-evolving canon of contemporary artworks. It includes artists' archives and a film library, reflecting a wide range of media and artistic approaches.
The exhibition is divided into 4 chapters. The first chapter, Banner: Engagement, Realism, and Political Art, curated by Sebastian Cichocki, features works related to political engagement and faith in art's transformative power.
The second chapter, Synthetic Materialities: Body, Commodity and Fetish from the Cold War to the Present, curated by Tomasz Fudala and Natalia Sielewicz, explores consumerist desires and fascination with pop culture, advertising, and mass media. It highlights the impact of post-industrial capitalism on both prosperous Western societies and socialist economies.
The third chapter, Dark Planet: Art, Spirituality, and Future Coexistence, curated by Magda Lipska and Szymon Maliborski, presents works drawing on non-modernist traditions such as folk, amateur and indigenous art. Inspired by Roman Stańczak's work, this section captures the tensions of rapid societal change and its impact on art and existence.
The final part, Real Abstractions: The Autonomy of Art Against the Catastrophes of Modernity, curated by Łukasz Ronduda, revisits the issue of art's limits and independence.
