Built in1905 as a municipal bath house with recreational and sports facilities (a three-storey brick building with a basement, 2 floors, an attic and a partial cellar). In the original building there were shower units, bath rooms and sanitary rooms and on the second floor there was a gym. The building performed its function from the end of II World War up to the 70s. In the latter period the building was converted into a ‘point of sanitary procedures’ needed in civil defence. In reality it served as a point of deactivation of personal radioactive contamination, which was connected with a planned location of a nuclear power plant in Zarnowiec. In 1987 the Bath House was put out of operation due to a poor technical condition and was intended for a complete redecoration. In 1989 redecoration was stopped because of the lack of funds. The building was left empty and fell into gradual ruin. First exhibitions to be organized in a building of the former Municipal Bathhouse took place in 1992 on the initiative of Fine Arts Academy students associated with the Wyspa Gallery. At the same time artists attempted to create there a permanent institution meant for presentation of contemporary art. After various changes of concepts the institution was founded in 1998 as the LAZNIA Centre for Contemporary Art. Numerous adaptations meant that what was left from the original building was merely the construction dating back to the beginning of the 20th century whereas installation and functional interior come from various periods.
OUTDOOR GALLERY OF THE CITY OF GDANSK:
LAZNIA Centre for Contemporary Art is an animator of a new artistic project whose aim is to create a permanent collection of artworks in the urban space, called the Outdoor Gallery of the City of Gdansk. It is supposed to act as a stimulus to change the character of the district, where the institution is located. We want to join the process of social and architectural transformation of this run-down district of Gdansk, called the Lower City, cooperating in a long-term revitalization plan. It requires a close cooperation with scientists, urban planners, architects as well as politicians. The Lower City District, where our institution is located, is a perfect starting point for broadly understood artistic activities. The Outdoor Gallery Collection is to be created over the years, whereas the works of art will be appointed in the regularly announced closed international competitions.
IN PROGRESS – cyclic meetings with contemporary music and music activities often connected with theatrical art, paratheatrical events, dancing, film and audio-visual arts. See, listen and try to understand what’s going on in music!
Curator: Lukasz Szalankiewicz
PARAKINO – the presentation of world video art, controversial documentaries and individual, artistic projects making use of moving image. What’s more it shows replicas of electronic media festivals as well as short, experimental, commercials and student films. Parakino is a confrontation of attitudes and as such it serves as a source of information and education as far as trends in the world art of new media is concerned. Presentations run once a month.
Curator: Michał Brzeżiński
EDUCATION:
Creativity Land / Afternoon Creativity Land – artistic workshops – aimed at the Tricity primary and lower secondary schools. During a one-day visit to LAZNIA, students explore painting and sculpture techniques, create their own film etudes and develop their creative thinking. The additional element of workshops is a tour of a present exhibition.
The Afternoon Creativity Land is aimed at children and teenagers from juvenile detentions centres.
Led by: Mikolaj Jurkowski - artist,
Piotr Odysejak Niewiadomski – Odyssey of the Mind trainer
Sylwester Galuszka – Artist's Colony animator
Gosia Czyzewska.
Programme co-financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, within the ‘Development of Local Initiatives’ Operational Programme.
PHILOSOPHY WORKSHOP RE: PHILOSOPHY
The “Re: Philosophy†Workshop introduces its students into conscious reception and participation in culture through stimulating their aesthetic sensitivity, developing creativity and perfecting the means of artistic expression by the very use of philosophy. The participants are prepared to comprehend and tame broadly understood culture so they finally get involved in it as the workshop motivates them to return to the cultural institution and take full advantage of its offer. It is not the aim of the classes to deliver the complete course of history of philosophy – they are devoted to developing sensitivity to the questions of philosophy, viewpoint and politics as well as their presence in art. The project implements methods of pedagogy of play and creativity.
Instructors: Ewa and Elzbieta Okroy
Film Knowledge Workshop The “Polish School†– World Artistic Phenomenon
The workshop is dedicated to groups of secondary school youth interested in the art of filmmaking. The classes will be held monthly and will include: a lecture being an introduction into the subject matter of a particular film, the projection (15 films altogether during the course) and a discussion with the participants of the workshop.
The workshop focuses on exposition of the very image of the film, or the aesthetic values of films assigned to the “Polish Schoolâ€. It includes presentation of film stills and analysis of both their aesthetics and contents, presentation of essential characteristic film scenes and analysis of their means of expression.
The workshop will also bring an opportunity to introduce the young participants to non-digital techniques of the cinematography of the 1950’s with both their limitations and pioneering solutions.
Instructor: Jacek Wachulewicz
..POD PRYSZNICEM SZTUKI [Under the Shower of Art]
is a presentation of current events and lecturers of renowned art historians, aestheticians, philosophers, sociologists, urbanists and architects as well as media specialists and psychologists. It’s an opportunity to explore and take part in current discussions on art and culture.
Curator: Daniel Muzyczuk