THE NOBLEST FORM OF WOOD PROCESSING

UTILITARIAN SCULPTURE OPEN-AIR WORKSHOP

The open-air sculpture workshop "THE NOBLEST FORM OF WOOD PROCESSING" took place in Dobrodzień from June 4th to 18th. Monday, June 9th, was an open day for the workshop, and on Wednesday, June 18th, an exhibition of the works created during the workshop was vernissaged at Dobroteka.

The workshop participants included 9 professional sculptors and students from sculpture departments of art academies, invited by name by the Organizer:

Ada Birecka, student of the Institute of Art, University of Opole

Dariusz J. Nowak, academic staff member at the Eugeniusz Geppert Academy of Art and Design in Wrocław

Tomasz Tomaszewski, academic staff member at the Eugeniusz Geppert Academy of Art and Design in Wrocław

Andrzej Kosowski, academic staff member at the Eugeniusz Geppert Academy of Art and Design in Wrocław

Maciej Tabor, graduate of the Eugeniusz Geppert Academy of Art and Design in Wrocław

Marek Ruszkowski, graduate of the Eugeniusz Geppert Academy of Art and Design in Wrocław

Wit Piechurski, academic staff member at the Institute of Art, University of Opole

Patryk Wojda, student of the Institute of Art, University of Opole

Monika Jaszczak, graduate of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń

The artists' focus was on a form or set of forms with utilitarian applications (seat, table, chair, rocking horse, desk, bench, etc.). The primary material for their creations was solid wood. Furniture manufacturers from the region were partners of the open-air workshop.

The works from the workshop, accompanied by a catalog, will be presented at numerous exhibitions in design centers and will form the basis for the first exhibition of utilitarian sculpture in Poland. The organizer's intention is to create an environment for utilizing sculptural forms in interior design through their display, promotion, and distribution.

In today's fashionable discussion about design, the open-air workshop showcased a different trend in utilitarian art – one stemming from the celebration of form. For a sculptor, the criterion of an object's value is precisely the aesthetics of its form. Designers often distance themselves from their aspirations to create objects with fascinating forms, whereas sculptors set this as their primary goal.

Designers develop products for mass production. Sculptors personally create a single piece, which is why it is always unique and valuable. The unique character of the form perfectly complements the uniqueness of the natural materials used – mainly wood.

The open-air workshop was an important element of Silesian Design June, promoting a creative approach to shaping the human environment.