Dominika Święcicka

Over the last few years I was involved in many projects regarding art, music and film. I studied Art History in Warsaw, now I am a student of Intermedia department in Poznań. I try to mix the knowledge and experience of both in my artistic practice.

I worked in Museum of Modern Art and Center for Contemporary Art in Warsaw where I learned about polish art scene, curatorial work and exhibition organizing. During that time I have kept an eye on polish art world attending many exhibitions. I also traveled a lot in Europe to see what is going on, especially to Berlin, Paris and Milan. I also produced two big music festivals in Warsaw main institutions. I have learned how to deal with bureaucracy and big, complex projects. I was thinking about physical space I would like to open somewhere in Poland. In Warsaw it was impossible for me because of the high rents and my idea that the space has to be non-commercial.

After moving to Poznań for my studies, I organized exhibitions and artists’ talks together with my flatmate in our flat. Our idea was to keep it as intimate as it can be. For example, we invited viewers to our place at 11 am for a coffee and an art show. We invited everybody in person without using Facebook and other social media. The response of Poznań art crowd was very approving. Having the experience of working with big institutions and also organizing small community events I wanted to start something new. Something like art space without hierarchy. Where the main aim is art not paperwork. I started to think about a model that will be open for public, welcoming, fair, non-commercial BUT sustainable. In September I have opened a small project space called Artel with Simon Wildstein. We work without hierarchies with artist from Poland and abroad. We dont name ourselves curators or organizers. Our practice is very different from other art places in Poland.