Designed by the New York-based studio Thomas Phifer and Partners, the museum is located on Marszałkowska Street in the city center. It features a unique suspended facade made of white architectural concrete, marking a first in Poland and Europe.
Grand opening and public access
The official opening will take place on Friday, October 25, at 8:00 PM, with events stretching late into the night. Visitors will be able to explore the museum until 1:00 AM, with all activities during the opening days being free. For specific events, like concerts, workshops, and guided tours, advance registration or tickets will be required. Details are available on the museum's website, and for those who can’t secure a ticket, concerts will be streamed onto the building’s facade.
The opening festivities will continue for three weeks, from October 25 to November 10, 2024, featuring over 100 events. Activities will range from night tours by flashlight, multimedia projections, and late-night film screenings, to weekend morning shows for all ages.
The musical program for the opening will feature iconic artists, including American alternative music legend Kim Gordon, experimental club project 700 Bliss, and renowned Polish composer and pianist Hania Rani.
A cinema for the bold and experimental
The museum's basement houses a 150-seat cinema, designed in a tiered layout. The repertoire will include independent and experimental films from Poland and abroad, as well as documentaries, art-house features, and animated films. Plans for the cinema include festivals, themed retrospectives, and discussions with filmmakers.
"This space brings together independent films and the most interesting phenomena of mainstream cinema, encouraging reflection on everyday life and enriching creative practices," says Aleksandra Jeglińska, the museum's cinema curator.
A commitment to contemporary art and underrepresented voices
MSN's collection spans various media, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, installations, films, sound pieces, and performances. The museum will open with a showcase of works by women artists, highlighting an ongoing global effort to celebrate often overlooked or forgotten creators.
“We are continuing the global trend of addressing the gaps left by neglected and overlooked female artists,” said Joanna Mytkowska, the museum’s director. Among the featured works on the opening day will be Alina Szapocznikow’s "Friendship," alongside pieces by Magdalena Abakanowicz, as well as contemporary artists like Sandra Mujinga from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Chilean feminist icon Cecilia Vicuña.
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Source: RMF24, MoMA Warsaw