Electronic Arts Intermix (EAI) and the Polish Cultural Institute are pleased to present an exhibition of early film works by members of the Workshop of the Film Form, whose activities during the 1970s in Poland helped define the moving image avant-garde. Founded by the graduates of Łódź Film School in 1970, the Workshop of the Film Form promoted analytical experimentation in all modes of their practices. The exhibition will feature works by key members of the collective, including Kazimierz Bendkowski, Wojciech Bruszewski, Paweł Kwiek, Józef Robakowski (considered one of the most important contemporary Polish artists), Zbigniew Rybczyński (Oscar-winner for his film Tango, 1980), and Ryszard Waśko (founder of Construction in Process).

These works represent the wide range of moving image experimentation pursued internationally during the 1970s, when consumer equipment became readily available. The projects presented, which correlate strongly with early media practices in the United States, are also informed by specific and unique cultural landscapes and histories. The artists explore a relationship with the camera as a physical and conceptual exploration of self. Film and video technologies are subverted, resulting in new uses of the imaging mechanism, and traditional narrative structure is manipulated for political expression.

On the evening of Saturday, October 16th, a special additional selection of works will be screened at 7pm. Following the screening, curator Łukasz Ronduda will moderate a question and answer session with pioneering Łódź-based artist and Workshop of the Film Form founder, Józef Robakowski.

In conjunction with this exhibition, a selection of works will be available for distribution on DVD through EAI. Also available will be an illustrated catalogue with texts by Barbara London, Lori Zippay, Łukasz Ronduda, Galen Joseph-Hunter, and the participating artists. The DVD is produced and distributed in collaboration with the Łódź Film School and the Center for Contemporary Art “Zamek Ujazdowski” in Warsaw.


Works in Exhibition, October 12 – 16, 2004

I am going (Idę), 1973, 2:53 min., Józef Robakowski
30 sound situations (30 sytuacji dżwiękowych), 1975, 9:15 min., Ryszard Waśko
A Text/ A Door (Tekst / Drzwi), 1973, 3 min., Wojciech Bruszewski
YYAA (YYAA), 1973, 3 min., Wojciech Bruszewski
An Area (Obszar), 1973, 4:43 min., Kazimierz Bendkowski
A Square (Kwadrat), 1972, 4 min., Zbigniew Rybczyński
Exercises for two hands (Ćwiczenie na dwie ręce), 1976, silent, two-channel video installation w/photograph, Józef Robakowski


Screening, October 16, 2004, 7 - 8 pm, followed by a Q&A session with Józef Robakowski

1. The Market (Rynek), 1970, 4:21 min., Józef Robakowski
2. A Klapper (Klaskacz), 1971, 6 min., Wojciech Bruszewski
3. Window (Okno), 1972, 8:25 min., Ryszard Waśko
4. A Square (Kwadrat), 1972, 4 min., Zbigniew Rybczyński
5. 1,2,3 operator’s exercise (1,2,3 ćwiczenie operatorskie), 1972, 7:54min., Paweł Kwiek
6. An Area (Obszar), 1973, 4:43 min., Kazimierz Bendkowski
7. A Text/ A Door (Tekst / Drzwi), 1973, 3 min., Wojciech Bruszewski
8. A-B-C-D-E-F = 1-36, 1974, 6:10 min., Ryszard Waśko
9. An Audiovisual experiment / Matchbox (Doświadczenie Audiowizualne / Pudełko zapałek), 1975, 5 min., Wojciech Bruszewski


DVD, distributed by Electronic Arts Intermix

1. The Market (Rynek) 1970, 4:21 min., Józef Robakowski
2. A Test (Test), 1971, 2:10 min., silent, Józef Robakowski
3. Window (Okno), 1972, 8:25 min., Ryszard Waśko
4 . 1,2,3 operator’s exercise (1,2,3 ćwiczenie operatorskie), 1972, 7:54 min., Paweł Kwiek
5. An Exercise (Ćwiczenie), 1972/1973, 4:20 min., Józef Robakowski
6. YYAA (YYAA), 1973, 3 min., Wojciech Bruszewski
7. I am going (Idę), 1973, 2:53 min., Józef Robakowski
8. Negation (Zaprzeczenie), 1973, 4 min., Ryszard Waśko
9. An Area (Obszar), 1973, 4:43 min., Kazimierz Bendkowski
10. A-B-C-D-E-F = 1-36, 1974, 6:10 min., Ryszard Waśko


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About Electronic Arts Intermix (www.eai.org)

Founded in 1971, Electronic Arts Intermix (EAI) is one of the worldÌs leading nonprofit resources for video art and interactive media. As a pioneer and advocate of the media arts and artists, EAI's core program is the international distribution of a major collection of new and historical media works by artists. EAI's leadership position in the media arts extends to our preservation program, viewing access, educational services, online resources, exhibitions and events. The Online Catalogue provides a comprehensive resource on the 175 artists and 3,000 works in the EAI collection, including artists' biographies, descriptions of works, QuickTime excerpts, research materials, Web projects, and online ordering.

About the Polish Cultural Institute (www.PolishCulture-NYC.org)

The Polish Cultural Institute is a diplomatic mission of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland to the United States. The New York-based Institute is dedicated to promoting and nurturing cultural ties between the United States and Poland, both through American exposure to Poland's cultural achievements, and through exposure of Polish scholars and artists to American trends, institutions, and professional counterparts. The Institute is taking an active collaborative role in the organization, promotion, and in many cases the actual production of a broad range of cultural events in theater, music, film, literature, and the fine arts.

Press Contact:

Mary T. Flanagan, mtflanagan@erols.com, (718) 855-2203


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Fall for Chelsea

The October 16th screening is presented in conjunction with “Fall for Chelsea,” a one-day festival of arts, culture and entertainment in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan. Collaborating institutions include Atlantic Theater Company, Chelsea Art Museum, Dance Theater Workshop, Electronic Arts Intermix, Eyebeam, The High Line, International Print Center, Joyce Theater, The Kitchen, New Museum, Rubin Museum of Art, and TADA. (www.fallforchelsea.com)


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*Łukasz Ronduda's presence is New York is made possible, in part, by Hallwalls and ArtsLink Independent Projects, a program of CEC ArtsLink.

On November 4, 2004, Ronduda will present the work of filmmakers Paul Sharits and Jozef Robakowsk co-curated with Media Arts Program Director Joanna Raczynska at Hallwalls in Buffalo, New York. Hallwalls is a non-profit contemporary arts center dedicated since 1974 to the presentation of contemporary arts in a way that challenges and extends traditional boundaries. (www.hallwalls.org)