Man and society

Another extraordinary commission – a special case. Various previous contacts, including those between the Industrial Design Department and the management of the Light Metal Works in Kęty, resulted in a commission for the design and implementation of a thematic exhibition, which, following lengthy discussions, was to address humanity and its social conditions.
In fact, the entire undertaking was the work of an exceptional man, an undoubted idealist for his time, the director of the Works, Zbigniew Biela.
The exhibition aimed to demonstrate the multifaceted nature of interpersonal relationships, emphasizing ethical aspects. It illustrated the structure of society and the correlations between society/individual and individual/society. These issues are seemingly familiar to everyone, yet so often unfamiliar. Hence the motto of the entire exhibition: Know Yourself.
The exhibition's design was developed in collaboration with fellow students, a psychologist and a sociologist, and was organized around specific themes. For example: the human being with all their intellectual potential; the human being in biological and emotional terms, as a complex mechanism guided by reason; and the human being in psychological terms, as a thinking, feeling, and reacting being. The human being—a unit of society, a crowd, or a nation. A significant portion of the exhibition focuses on presenting interpersonal relationships, both positively and negatively. The aim of the exhibition was not to provide specific models or answers. The overall aim was to stimulate reflection and to determine what should be considered good and what should be considered bad. The idea, however naive it may seem, encouraged us to answer the question, "What do you think?" Love and its various aspects – the love of two people, maternal love, love for others, the problem of raising a child, friendship between people and some of its aspects – pure, selfless friendship, misunderstood, false friendship, and some of its effects – one person is a wolf to another, the problem of ingratitude and hypocrisy, one's attitude towards another's misfortune – help, compassion, indifference, and joy, one's attitude towards someone who has been distinguished, career-building methods, and finally, one's attitude towards nature.

And what are you like? – this is the question on the penultimate board, the last one being a mirror. It emphasized the importance of the issues raised in the exhibition. It was also a direct appeal to the viewer.
By illustrating certain life situations, we intended to provoke reflection in the visitors of this exhibition.

The task proved to be extremely difficult. The issues raised are only seemingly simple. Let alone when one considers the recipient, the so-called ordinary worker. No sophisticated, sophisticated metaphors guaranteed a true connection.

Direct contacts and discussions with the management over the following years allowed us to gain confidence that the client's concept and our implementation met with genuine interest from ZML employees.

I deeply regret that the exhibition documentation, made using ORWO films, did not stand the test of time. And not only in this particular case.

The project was implemented by the team of Maria Banaś-Majkowska, Janusz Bożek, Zbigniew Majkowski, Marek Nałęcz-Nieniewski, and Jan Nuckowski.