Art in a Disrupted World - Poland 1939-1949

Art in a Disrupted World is a book by art historian Agata Pietrasik that examines artistic practices in Poland during and after World War II, focusing on works created in concentration camps, ghettos, exile, and the years of social, political, and cultural disintegration. It highlights the ethics of artistic practice as a way to preserve humanity in dehumanizing circumstances and features drawings, paintings, architectural designs, exhibitions, literary and theatrical works, and artists who have not yet found substantial audiences in the English-speaking world. The book seeks to capture the autonomous artistic language of this period and questions the ability of traditional art history writing to accommodate artworks created in response to traumatic experiences.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 22 July 2021
Publisher: Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw

In her book "Art in a Disrupted World," art historian Agata Pietrasik delves into the artistic practices that emerged in Poland during and after World War II. Pietrasik showcases a collection of artworks created by Polish-born artists during their time in concentration camps, ghettos, exile, and the years of social, political, and cultural disintegration that followed the war. She emphasizes the ethical dimension of artistic practice as a means of preserving one's humanity amidst the most dehumanizing circumstances. By challenging traditional historical narratives and conventional forms of storytelling, this book brings together a diverse range of artistic mediums, including drawings, paintings, architectural designs, exhibitions, literary and theatrical works, to chronicle the experiences of Polish people during wartime.

Through an accessible and essayistic approach, Pietrasik provides a fresh perspective on life in the decade following the outbreak of World War II. She features artists such as Marian Bogusz, Jadwiga Simon-Pietkiewicz, and Józef Szajna, whose work has yet to gain significant recognition in the English-speaking world. Her interpretation of the art and artists of this period aims to capture their autonomous artistic language and raises critical questions about the adequacy of traditional art history writing to accommodate artworks that were directly inspired by traumatic experiences.

"Art in a Disrupted World" offers a valuable contribution to the study of art and history, shedding light on the resilience and creativity of the Polish people in the face of adversity. Pietrasik's meticulous research and insightful analysis provide a deeper understanding of the artistic expressions that emerged during this challenging period, and her book serves as a testament to the power of art to transcend circumstances and communicate profound truths.

Weight: 602g
Dimension: 155 x 240 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9788364177750