Introduction
“Rybie Oko,” initiated in 2001 by Łukasz Gorczyca, initially took the form of a recurring exhibition showcasing the work of the youngest generation of artists. The first edition invited 14 creators, including Rafał Bujnowski, Hubert Czerepok, Agnieszka Kalinowska, Dorota Nieznalska, Paulina Ołowska, and Wilhelm Sasnal.
Ewa Rybska, the curator of the first three editions, emphasized that the project was meant to create a space for meetings, conversations, and confrontation with critics and the public. The nature of exchange and discussion around emerging new artistic attitudes was particularly evident in the second edition, which stood out due to its unusual formula—the invited participants were selected publicly on the forum of the now-defunct online magazine Hysterics.
Over time, the format changed: beginning with the third edition, “Rybie Oko” transformed into the Biennial format, open to submissions and functioning as an award – based -program. Under the curatorship of Roman Lewandowski and Edyta Wolska, it was addressed to artists under the age of 35, and the event took the form of a three-day gathering centered around an exhibition of the award winners.
Next year’s twelfth edition will adopt a new format, drawing on the experience of open-air workshops, exchange, and mutual support among those beginning their artistic practice.
