Associated mainly with the Vistula River, the capital has a rich history of rivers that meandered through its territory for centuries. Some of them have dried up, others flow in underground channels channelized years ago. The latest exhibition at the Wola Museum tells the story of Warsaw's hidden and non-existent rivers.
Drna, Sadurka, Żurawka, Pólkówka, Bełcząca, Brodnia - these are the names of rivers that meandered through Warsaw, but you won't come across them during walks today. Warsaw's rich hydrographic history includes the history of dozens of r ivers and canals that have been transformed (and eliminated) over the centuries. Using old plans, maps, graphics and photographs, their history is brought closer by the exhibition "Let them flow! Other Rivers of Warsaw" opened at the Wola branch of the Warsaw Museum.
photo: Wola Museum
At the exhibition, it will be possible to trace the course of the rivers, learn about their biographies, spot remnants and modern traces hidden in the names of districts or streets. The historical water network has been superimposed on the contemporary map of the city - literally and metaphorically, restoring the "Other Rivers of Warsaw" to the memory of the city's inhabitants and residents.
photo: Wola Museum
The exhibition, however, shows not only the history, but also the contemporaneity of Warsaw's rivers and streams. The curators draw attention to the importance of river networks for the city's climate. The degradation of rivers has a devastating effect on the environment, microclimate and urban development during a climate catastrophe. The exhibition will feature, among others, a film aboutZakol Wawerski, one of the most important wetland ecosystems in the Warsaw area, and photographic documentation of the activities of Cecylia Malik and the River Sisters group. The artist has been involved in protecting rivers through artistic-activist activities for years.
practical information
Wola Museum
12 Srebrna St., Warsaw
Exhibition open from January 20 to May 29, 2022
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thursday, Saturday 11:00 - 20:00
Free admission on Thursdays.
curatorial team: Magdalena Staroszczyk, Konrad Schiller
artists/artists and activists/activists: Cecylia Malik and the River Sisters, CENTRALA (Malgorzata Kuciewicz, Simone De Iacobis), Zakole Group (Zuzia Derlacz, Krystyna Jędrzejewska-Szmek, Ola Knychalska, Olga Roszkowska, Pola Salicka, Igor Stokfiszewski) - zakole.pl, Save the Rivers Coalition, Center for the Protection of Wetlands / Association "Chrońmy Mokradła!" (CMok), bagna.pl, Jarek Lustych, Diana Lelonek, Martyna Miller
exhibition design: Tomasz Świetlik, Maciej Moszant, Maciej Chodziński
graphic design: Anna Światłowska
