Wajda launches Far Eastern art gallery

Andrzej Wajda (C) signing foundation documents pertaining to the Europe-Far East Gallery. Krakow. Second row, from left: Bogna Dziechciaruk-Maj, former minister of culture Bogdan Zdrojewski and Krystyna Zachwatowicz. Photo: PAP/Jacek Bednarczyk

The so-called Europe-Far East Gallery will branch out from the museum's previous emphasis on Japanese culture.

Wajda founded the original museum largely from his own pocket after winning Japan's Kyoto Prize twenty years ago, but the new venture will be particularly focused on China and North and South Korea.

“The idea is to draw these countries closer to us, and for us to understand who it is we are talking to,” Wajda said.

The gallery will not shirk from showing works by artists whose works were discredited by the current regimes in China and North Korea, including pieces by artists who emigrated to Europe.

“It will be a confrontation of the cultures of the East and the West, showing mutual influences, interactions and fascinations which gave rise to interesting artistic results,” said director of the Manggha Museum Bogna Dziechciaruk-Maj.

Wajda and his wife, co-founder of the museum Krystyna Zachwatowicz, were joined by new culture minister Malgorzata Omilanowska and her predecessor Bogdan Zdrojewski, who won a seat as a MEP last month.

The Europe-Far East Gallery was designed by award-winning Krakow office Ingarden & Ewy and it is scheduled to open in the spring of 2015.

The entire project is scheduled to cost 29.9 million zloty (7.2 million euros), almost two thirds of which will be covered by EU funds. (nh)

Source: PAP