ZACHETA
Author: Anothertravelguide.com0 COMMENTS
Zachęta (the name translates as "encouragement") national art gallery houses an exhibit of Polish modern art and serves as a venue for various exhibitions of modern and contemporary art. The origins of Zachęta date back to 1860, when the Society for Encouragement of the Fine Arts was founded in Warsaw. The Society organised exhibitions, acquired works of art for the national collection and assisted young artists. The Eclecticist building was constructed for the museum in 1900; there is an inscription above the entrance: Artibus - 'To the Arts'. Although the Zachęta building was one of the few to survive WWII, as an institution it changed considerably - the vast art collection was moved to the National Museum, while Zachęta itself focused mainly on organising exhibitions. Today the gallery also complements its exhibition work with promoting art and artists in multiple other ways. Interestingly, the name of Zachęta has also been linked to several scandals: in 1922 the first president of the Polish state Gabriel Narutowicz was assassinated here at an exhibition opening, and in 2000 the famous Polish actor Daniel Olbrychski suddenly pulled out a sword and slashed up the works of art because he found them offensive.
3 Pl. Małachowskiego 3
www.zacheta.art.pl
Posted February, 2010