Szklanka kawy - Z twórcami Rastra Łukaszem Gorczycą i Michałem Kaczyńskim rozmawia Agata Jakubowska
A Cup of Coffee - Agata Jakubowska talks to Łukasz Gorczyca and Michał Kaczyński, the founders of Raster

Summary/Abstract: Świetlica, the new Raster Gallery (Un)usual art in Świetlica Authentic elements in works of art Is making a cup of coffee art? Raster’s new gallery established in September 2003 and referred to as Świetlica [the common room] is an extremely original space. It is a flat with an art gallery which does not separate the exhibition space from the office premises of those who run it. In this way, the key presence of the Gallery’s founders, Łukasz Gorczyca and Michał Kaczyński harmonises with the exhibitions and events which are spontaneously inspired by the diversity of its visitors. To its advantage, the Gallery does not only attract members of artistic and literary circles. Anybody who is sensitive to art can pay a visit and have an interesting chat with it founders whilst enjoying the proximity of the art and the tangibility of the creative energy. The development of a specific artistic circle which crystallises joint ideas and values is Łukasz Gorczyca and Michał Kaczyński's ongoing principle. They want the things which are made in the local “here and now” to be representative of Poland abroad. They are also extremely happy that Raster’s projects are based on real and individual experiences. It is the authentic elements which make viewers identify with the works, for example Wilhelm Sasnal’s book Everyday Life in Poland between 1999 and 2000. And by analogy, the events which take place here are based on real emotions. Despite the fact that the works of Raster’s artists are often criticised for being egocentric, Gorczyca and Kaczyński consider their “subjective records of reality” as something tremendously valuable since they stem from “experiencing life and things which are tangible as well as being amongst people”. And this is something which can easily be felt in the atmosphere of the new premises. It is up to the viewer to find out personally whether the voice of critics saying that “Raster turns making a cup of coffee into art” should be regarded as a reproach or a compliment.

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