Józef Robakowski (b. 1939, Poznań) is one of the most notable experimental film creators. He creates photographic series, installations, drawings, objects, conceptual projects, as well teaches and publishes texts on art theory. Robakowski co-founded the artistic collectives Oko (1960), Zero-61 (1961 - 69), and Krąg (1965 - 67). From 1970, he has co-organised the Workshop of Film Form in Łódź. He runs the initiative of the Exchange Gallery since 1978, in which he offers space for exchanging artistic thought and exhibiting of works, collecting films and documentation. The Exchange Gallery is as well a contact office for the international artistic movement INFERMENTAL.

Robakowski sends us a video for the project titled Waltz. While the pandemic and the necessary protective gear, such as a mask, hide facial expressions, from beneath it, you can hear Robakowski’s cheerful singing of Shostakovich's Waltz no. 2.

Łódź, 11/04/2020

Artists Respond project was started by the Institute for the Research of the Avant-Garde and the Marinko Sudac Collection. Addressing the current global pandemic, the project aims to virtually present the thoughts and attitudes of neo-avant-garde artists, their energy and the message they have for the present moment. This is the moment in which the world as we know it is on hold and the moment in which we need optimism and solidarity more than ever. We wish for the public to welcome the creative energy of these artists - artists who are ready to point out the state of things, to respond with art and creativity, as they have done in all difficult times in the past.

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Józef Robakowski was a participant of our Artist on Vacation project in 2017, organised by the Institute for the Research of the Avant-Garde and the Marinko Sudac Collection, with Valamar Riviera d.d. in whose facilities they reside in Poreč.

See more: Artist on Vacation