First, the inhabitants of Krakow noticed the disappearance of the iconic Cafe Bunkier café, now the renovation works of the Bunkier Sztuki Gallery of Contemporary Art are in full swing. This is the first renovation in over half a century, and the reconstruction is expected to last until April 2024. At that time, the gallery moved its seat to the Potocki Palace at 20 Rynek Główny.
Over 3 years-long renovations!
The renovation and modernization of the building of the Contemporary Art Gallery Bunkier Sztuki, which will take about three years, will include the development of modern lighting, sound and projection systems, construction of new mechanical ventilation, air-conditioning, and heating system ensuring the required conditions for the exhibition of works of art, creation of a properly equipped and properly sized workshop facility for the organization of exhibitions, separation of warehouse space meeting modern standards, improvement of safety standards.
A tender was won and work has begun!
“The general contractor for the investment was selected through a tender, which is a consortium of PBO Śląsk Sp. Z oo and WODPOL Sp. Z o. O. and the Academy of Music in Katowice. WODPOL carried out in Krakow such projects as the reconstruction of the Aviation Museum hangar as well as the modernization and reconstruction of the lobby of the Rydygier Hospital “– informs the Gallery.
Despite the crisis, the city that finances Bunkier Sztuki activities has not withdrawn funds for the renovation of Bunkier Sztuki, which will cost nearly PLN 21 million.
No more Bunkier Sztuki Cafe 🙁
The current project is based on the concept of Robert Konieczny. The idea that won in 2016 assumed the expansion of the basement by additional floors, where the gallery was to be located, the placement of a movable ceiling and the liquidation of the popular café in its current location.
The history behind Bunkier Sztuki
The building of Bunkier Sztuki was established in 1965 as the seat of the Krakow Art Exhibitions Bureau. The building was designed by Krystyna Tołłoczko-Różyska. The characteristic façade made of concrete casts of wooden formwork was designed by Stefan Borzęcki and Antoni Hajdecki. The bunker was built in opposition to the neighboring Art Nouveau Palace of Arts, and its shape aroused considerable controversy in the artistic community and among the inhabitants of Krakow at that time. The gallery is the only building of brutalist architecture in the Old Town. For the last 55 years, the seat of Bunkier Sztuki has not been modernized.
Substitute HQ over at Potocki Palace
During the renovation period, the Gallery will carry out exhibition and publishing activities in its substitute headquarters located in the Potocki Palace at 20 Rynek Główny. The new location will also house the MOCAK Bookstore BUNKIER.
Information take from the Polish article from Gazeta Krakowska.
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The Twisted Red LadyBug
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