Polish Space Art
Literature
Stanisław Lem (1921 – 2006) – One of the most frequently translated Polish writers. He wrote several science fiction novels and short stories about space travel. His most famous novel ‘Solaris’ (from 1961) is considered a classic of science fiction and has been translated into over 40 languages.
Painting
Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz (1885 – 1939) – At the beginning of the 20th century, he created a series of astronomical compositions painted in pastels, of which a dozen have survived until now. The most numerous among them are compositions depicting constellations. All are composed on a similar principle: a human figure – symbolizing a star from the constellation – intertwined with an animal corresponding to the constellation. The earliest known work – ‘Antares in Scorpio’ – is dated by the artist to 1917. In addition to constellation compositions, the astronomical cycle also includes works referring to specific phenomena observed in the sky by astronomers at the beginning of the 20th century. The composition ‘Nova Aurigae’ refers to activity in the constellation of Auriga, which was observed from 1892 to 1900.
Wojciech Fangor (1922 – 2015) – He is the author of the ‘Heweliusz’ series, created for the State Art Gallery in Sopot. The works included in the series are a reworking of the constellation maps completed by the astronomer Johannes Hevelius in his ‘Prodomus Astronomiae’ from 1690, such as: ‘Andromeda’. Another example are works inspired by images of celestial bodies viewed through a telescope – ‘M75’ from 1969 and ‘M12’ from 1970, which represent the globular clusters Messier 75 and Messier 12. Zooming in and out of celestial bodies in the telescope lens caused them to lose focus and change shape. Fangor wanted to repeat this effect in painting.
Music
Concerts under the Stars – the Copernicus Science Centre in Warsaw runs a series of concerts for music lovers and astronomy enthusiasts in the Planetarium. In addition to shows accompanied by classical music, the offer also includes space-inspired concerts and jazz improvisations as part of the ‘Jazz Orbit’ series. For fans of electronic music, the ‘Cosmic Live Electronic’ series is dedicated, which is a cross-section of electronic genres such as: ambient, chillout electronica, glitch, modern classical. As part of the ‘Supernova’ series, you can visit distant corners of the Universe and look at the stars to the sounds of alternative music by young artists.
Art Promoting the Polish Space Sector
Art is also connected with key events in the Polish space sector. Posters by Andrzej Pąkowski commemorate the mission of the first Pole in space, Major Mirosław Hermaszewski, from 1978, and promote the first Polish mission to the International Space Station planned for 2025 – ‘Ignis’.
Art of the Future
Marta Flistykowska is the author of the world’s first project to produce ceramics from the Martian regolith simulant MGS-1 as part of the ‘In Rust We Trust’ project.
Festivals
Warsaw Science Festival – an annual event organized by the capital’s universities and scientific institutions, offering lectures, workshops and shows related to various fields of science, including astronomy. https://festiwalnauki.edu.pl/
Lublin Science and Art Festival – combines scientific presentations with artistic events. The program often includes topics related to space, such as exhibitions, shows and workshops for children and adults. https://festiwal.lublin.pl/
Night at the Institute of Aviation – the largest educational night event in Poland, the aim of which is to popularize the aviation and space sector in Poland and promote engineering professions. https://nocwinstytucielotnictwa.pl/
Meteor Festival – a two-day open event in the form of a modeling picnic. Organized annually since 2011. It is the largest rocket event in Poland, during which over 100 rocket launches take place. https://rakiety.org.pl/festiwal-meteora/
AstroShow – an annual international gathering of astronomy enthusiasts organized in various places in Poland. https://www.astroshow.pl/
Astronomy Enthusiasts’ Meeting in Bieszczady – a gathering of astronomy enthusiasts held twice a year in the conditions of one of the darkest places in Poland. http://www.astrozloty.pl/
Women Galaxy – meetings with representatives of the space sector in Poland, the aim of which is to interest high school and college students in space topics, technologies and professions of the future. https://esero.kopernik.org.pl/galaktyka-kobiet/
Games
The Alters – video survival game developed and published by 11 Bit Studios. In the game, the player assumes control of Jan Dolski, a space miner who must create alternate versions of himself in order to survive on an inhospitable planet. https://altersthegame.com/
SPACECOM – video game develped by 11 Bit Studios. A strategic-to-the-bone, starfleet command game in which deception, smart movement, and choices to battle decide victory or defeat. https://11bitstudios.com/games/spacecom/
Imperium Galactic War – a massively multiplayer online real-time strategy game by Vavel Games. Each player has their own starbase, and fleets they have to upgrade in order to defend themselves from other players. https://playimperium.com/
The Invincible – video game developed by Starward Industries will take you to the fictitious planet from Stanisław Lem’s same-titled novel. You will play as an astronaut looking to find the missing crew of your spaceship. https://invinciblethegame.com/