An interview with Jan Swidzinski

One of the most important artists and art theoreticians in Poland - Jan Swidzinski says: "The main difference between art now and in the past is that the role of the spectator was to recognize what the artist wanted to say. Spectator or listener had no active role. Today he does. He is incorporated into the work, as in performance art, or has freedom of interpretation. He is able to find something in art just for himself. Because everything changes so quickly, our meetings are short, so what really matters are space, time, ambience; not some kind of permanent being, but being in the exact moment, here and now".

It is as it is

"It is as it is", says Jan Świdziński. He is 86 years old. His words may be understood as an expression of resignation, since, at this age, does one still want to make a revolution, if only in art? And maybe it is life advice for the younger, since, after years of going against the tide, does it not appear that we only drift?