Bestiary

The exhibition Bestiary shows how diverse the functions and meanings once assigned to animals were, and at the same time how complex the relationships between them and humans were and remain.

Animals permeate nearly every order of human experience. It is hard to imagine the history of humanity without their participation; they are present in myths and religions, art, science, economy and everyday life. The exhibition Bestiary shows how diverse the functions and meanings once assigned to animals were, and at the same time how complex the relationships between them and humans were and remain. It is a story about animals and about ourselves too – about our notions, needs, fears and fascinations connected with non-human beings.

The exhibition has a problem-based and critical character. Its successive parts present ideas about the origin of animals and their place in the order of the world – from creation myths, through deities with animal features, to fantastic hybrids known from legends, fairy tales and art. Then the beginnings of a scientific approach to animals are presented – from early modern cabinets of curiosities, to engravings and natural history atlases, treatises and travel accounts. The conclusion of the display is a presentation of works of art and utilitarian objects reflecting on the practical, emotional and cultural relationship between humans and animals.

Among the exhibits are paintings, sculptures, engravings, drawings, furniture, ceramics, textiles, and finally – art installations, photographs, as well as various products made from materials of animal origin – tortoiseshell, feathers, bone and fur, parchment, silk or cordovan leather.

The final episode of the exhibition concerns contemporary relations between people and animals – important issues related to species extinction and climate change, as well as emerging changes (including legal ones) in the treatment of non-human beings.

exhibition concept: Grażyna Bastek

curators: Grażyna Bastek, Przemysław Deles, Łukasz Kozak