Sculptor Piotr Twardowski

Contests
• 2013 – The monumental public sculpture competition for the development of artistic – sculptural for the future the Levante Park in Murcia City, Art Center – Palace Almudi, Murcia (Spain)- Selected project.
• 2011 – 8th International Symposium of Sculpture, Masseret (France) – Finalist of competition.
• 2011 – Crossroads of Freedom 2011-Spatial Forms Festival, Gdansk (Poland) – Special Guest.
• 2010 – 3rd International Award of Sculpture- Caja de Extramadura, Plasencia (Spain) – Selected project.
• 2010 – 7th International Symposium of Sculpture, Salon-la-Tour (France) – Finalist of competition; 2007 – Twenty Selected Projects for the European Monumental Sculpture Contest 2006, Art is Steel, organised by Arcelor Mittal, Champagne Veuve Clicquot in Reims (France) – Finalist of competition.
• 2007 – Ube Biennale’07, 22nd Edition International Open Sculpture Competition, Open-air Museum, Tokiwa Park, Ube (Japan) -Winning of Grand Prix of the competition.
• 2006 – International Sculpture Competition at the Center for Inquiry (CFI), Amherst (NY, United States) – Winning of the second place in the competition.
• 2006 – International Biennale of Sculpture-Chaco 2006, Open-air Museum, Resistencia (Argentina) – Winning of Grand Prix of the competition.
• 2005 – 21st Exhibition of Contemporary Sculpture in Japan 2005, Open-Air Museum, Tokiwa Park, Ube (Japan)- Finalist of competition.

Prizes
• 2013, 2009, 2006 – Rector’s Award of the Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow, (Poland).
• 2007 – Grand Prix – Ube Biennale’07, 22nd Edition International Open Sculpture Competition, Tokiwa Park, Ube (Japan).
• 2007 – Second place in The International Sculpture Contest at the Center for Inquiry (CFI), Amherst (NY, United States).
• 2006 – Grand Prize of The International Sculpture Biennial – Chaco 2006, Resistencia (Argentina) 2006 – Laureate of prestigious scholarship – “The Young Poland”, Award of Minister of Culture and the National Heritage, Warsaw (Poland).
• 2001 – Creative Scholarship of the Cracow Council City for achievements in the field of sculpture, Cracow (Poland); 1999 – Award of Minister of Culture and Art, Warsaw (Poland).
• 1998 – Foreign Scholarship at the Academy of Fine Arts in Nuremberg (Germany).

Technique
The stainless steel sheets will be cut, welded and riveted together.

Message of the project
Scientists fear that modern society is losing its ability to listen, and put that down the traditional person-to-person conversation, being gradually supplanted by IT communicators. Busy Homo Novus hears but does not listen carefully; he seems to lose the opportunity for dialogue and relation with other people. This sculpture is intended to encourage listening consciously, and its form was inspired by the structure of the human auditory system.

Interview to Piotr Twardowski

• What’s the place that you live like?
I would like live in a place where is a lot of light, a warm climate and there are a friendly people.
• Can you share with us a happy memory from your childhood?
The times of my childhood was a very turbulent time in the history of my country – the fight against Communism, economic crisis, food shortages, and what was painful for an every child there were no toys in the shops. My father did for me the wood rifle that was the one of its kind and the only one I had it in my backyard.
• When did your love for sculptures begun?
Quite late, when I was 20 years old and I met the man full of passion- Estonian sculptor Stanislav Netsvolodov. I studied under his direction only half a year, but it was a moment for me upheaval in my artisctic development.
• What does art mean in your life?
Art is in the second place after my family but sometimes I feel that I dedicate it the most of my time . However, for me art means ‘passion’.
• Do you have any other profession besides sculpting?
Yes, I have. I’m an academic teacher at the Departmet of Sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow (Poland). My work with the students is connected with my passion- sculpture, but teaching is a completely different profession.
• A model artist that you admire – fine artist, filmmaker, writer, philosopher
For me it is obvious, Francisco Gazitua- both excellent artist, philosopher, teacher, but above all- the great person.
• A world famous work of art that you admire
I have a lot of them and I can not choose one.
• A book or author you recommend
At present, Zig Ziglar ” See you at the Top”.
• Which historical or political event do you think most affected your country’s present?
History of my country that the creation of Solidarity, the first independent mass political movement in the Eastern Block of Europe and Collapse of Comunism of 1989. History of Poland is very rich and you can define it as a constant struggle for independence.
• Do you practice any religion?
Yes, I believe in goodness, love and honesty.
• Can you share with us a traditional recipe from your country?
Typical meals are very hearty and often contain a lot of meat. The most recommendable dishes are: bigos, kotlet schabowy, pierogi and go??bki. Poles boast that their two basic products are bread and sausages.
The most typical ingredients used in Polish cuisine are sauerkraut, beetroot, cucumbers (gherkins), sour cream, kohlrabi, mushrooms, sausages and smoked sausage. A meal owes it taste to the herbs and spices used; such as marjoram, dill, caraway seeds, parsley, or pepper. A shot of vodka is an appropriate addition to festive meals and help you to digest the food.

• What is the status or importance of art in your country?
What is the role of the artist in your society?
This is probably the hardest question. The importance of art in my country was great as I see in the history. The artistic activity on the Polish territory runs from the Paleolithic period. A lot of Polish art objects have been destroyed in the turbulent history. I think that now the importance of art in Poland is much smaller. Many of artistic activities caused that the recipient of art stopped to see the value in it already. Some recipients say that art has ceased to inspire. Too big is the impact of curators in shaping of the image of art today and too many strategies that apply to art. It seems to me that there is too little of confrontations of a variety of an artistics acttivities. Many people in my country are involved in art. Position of the artist is very diverse. We have a small group of artists in the so-called “mainstream” and the rest of artists. Looking at the discipline of sculpture and his status in the Polish art now I have to say that is weak. Hovewer, there are many of very interesting sculptors who have problems with an implementation of their works in public spaces. While, art galleries want to show only the new media or painting.
• Have you already been to South America and Argentina?
What are your expectations for the City of Resistencia and its Biennial?
Yes, I have been in Resistencia in 2006 when I took part in the Sculpture Biennale. Then I became the winner of the Grand Prix and it was the wonderful moment in my life. One year ago I wrote the work about “The Cities of Sculpture” on the world, in which a large part was devoted to Resistencia and the history of creating its image as “City of Sculpture”. I wrote about amazing people with passion and vision and about its residents open to the reception of sculptures. And haven’t none an exceptations for the City of Resistencia because all what this city created is perfect. I hope that Resistencia will continue his vision what I wish her wholeheartedly.
• What the slogan “Hommo Novus” makes you think about? Can you tell us something about the work of art you are going to make?
“Homo Novus” is new conception of man which is emerging today and his new definition. The man newly ennobled or maybe “no homo”? This new concept explores the contemporary version of man and looking for a new behaviors or human attitudes.
Thoughts on the quality of life and the human condition in the current time led me to the topic of the disturbance of human relationships. Scientists are worried by the fact that the modern developed societies lose their ability to listen. They perceive the immediate reason in the replacement of traditional conversation by computer communication. In a world of noise and an useful electronic devices increasingly difficult to focus attention on listening to the other person. In the environment of diversity and intensity of sounds, suggested to us more and more, gradually we lose awareness and sensitivity to what we hear, and vice versa, our senses become accustomed to the existing conditions, becoming resistant and insensitive. As a result, listening , effectively we can’t hear . And yet the ability to listen is an important predisposition for any kind of dialogue and relationships with other people. That is why I felt a need to create a sculpture- Just listen- concerning of listening, and perhaps, directing attention to a deeper reflection on this topic. The initiating point to illustrate the problem was anatomy of the auditory system with its complicated construction.