On 1/12/2011, 7.00pm, at the Municipal Gallery bwa in Bydgoszcz
seniors and their friends starred in an improvised theatre production.
Redevelopment of old objects of everyday use, audio-visual installation with accordions, a family drawing theatre – all these made up the improvised Art Smugglers theatre. Leading roles will be played by memories stored in objects: shears which cut the umbilical cord, a blanket, a pencil, pre-war photographs and other items. The authors of the events, in addition to seniors, are: director Monika Wirżajtys, painter Jakub Elwertowski, musician and performer Maciej Szymborski and artist-photographer Marcin Szpak.
This unusual show is a continuation of the “Smuggling of Art” CRUISE project, or the Polish seniors go to Sweden. Artists, along with the participants sailed to Sweden and initiated the project with an street art action.
Monika Wirżajtys, Jakub Elwertowski, Marcin Szpak accompanied their students on their journey and adventure with art. Besides stickers, Bolek, born in 1935, took with him his picture with a mandolin; Gienia, born in 1940, took shears with which her husband had his umbilical cord cut; Teresa, born in 1946, a blanket that her son had during a flight to New York on September 11th; Andrzej, born in 1946, a miniature of a ship rudder; Basia, the youngest in the team, born in 1956 – a pencil; Jurek, born in 1936, told of a broken airman’s career; Ewa, born in 1948, told of her sentimental journeys around the world. They aroused alternating joy and consternation, sticking slogans in various languagesand giving hugs to initially confused, and, after a while, delighted Swedes, preparing sketches for the theatre of drawing on board of the ferry, or posing for photographs. And what else is there for them? A real challenge – they’ll invite family members to the next part of the project. Sons, grandchildren, sisters or wives will take part with them in an improvised performance, accompanied by live music by Maciej Szymborski. Referring to the ideas of Franciszek Starowiejski’s Drawing Theatre, together they will create a spectacle in which the main role will be played by family stories and ties. At the same time, objects with stories stored in them will undergo artistic revitalization. The preparations and multigenerational meetings will also be turned into a documentary.

Monika Wirżajtys – a co-founder of the Art-House Art Foundation, a certified psychodramatist (PSYCHODRAMA INSTITUTE FOR EUROPE E.V., Berlin), script writer, director of theatre performances. For years, she has been actively involved in artistic and social projects. Uses the verbatim and playback theatre methods, utilising multimedia.
Jakub Q Elwertowski – studied painting at the Faculty of Fine Arts of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun. Founder of the Parter02 art group, does easel and wall painting, graphics art, illustration, stage design and interior design; teacher and behavioural therapist. Originator of the Cruise.
Marcin Szpak – Following his passion, graduated from the Warsaw School of Film at the Department of Photography. For five years, he has worked as a freelance photographer, apart from doing conceptual projects, also taking commercial photos. He gets involved in the organization of competitions, conducts numerous workshops and lectures on the lights and staging. Marcin’s photos are visions balancing on the border of reality and hallucinations. In them, one will find portraits, objects, fashion, unusual recording of reality.
Łukasz Maciej Szymborski – a composer, musician, multi-instrumentalist, producer, sound producer, actor, performer. From 1996 to 2003, he was a member of Something Like Elvis, releasing “Personal Vertigo” in 1997, “Shape” in 1999, “Cigarette Smoke Phantom” in 2002. With the band he toured Europe and the United States, playing alongside Nomeansno, Fugazi, The EX, New Model Army.
Remigiusz Zawadzki – born in 1971 in Bydgoszcz. A graduate of the Andrzej Wajda Master School of Film Directing and the Art High School in Bydgoszcz, also studied conservation at the Department of Fine Arts of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun. Cameraman, director of documentaries, screenwriter, producer.
Project co-funded by the City of Bydgoszcz Organiser: ART-HOUSE Art Foundation; www.fundacjaart-house.pl Partners: Municipal Gallery bwa in Bydgoszcz, Teatr Polski in Bydgoszcz, DEKORA Art Studio, MINTE Art Therapy Institute, Polskie Radio Pomorza i Kujaw PiK