Excursion takes the theme of the bear in the Tatra Mountains and its pop-culture image as represented by a 'white bear' - a mascot that entertains tourists on the main street of Zakopane, Poland.
28 April – 25 June 2023 Watermans Art Centre, 40 High Street, London
This exhibition is also a presentation of the artist’s practice-led doctoral project that took place between 2017-2023 at the Slade School of Fine Art UCL. In her PhD, Katarzyna Depta-Garapich approaches the problem of protecting nature and endangered species.
The artist also focuses on the destructive impact of tourism and other human activities on nature. As part of the project Katarzyna Depta-Garapich made a white bear costume and climbed the most difficult mountain trail in High Tatras, recreating the routes used by local brown bears.
The white bear costume refers to the mascot, a person dressed as a white bear that is providing entertainment for tourists while simultaneously side-lining the real bear. The exhibition at Watermans Art Centre takes the form of a multi-channel video installation. Viewers are invited to take part in the Excursion through adopting many points of view, watching the projections of Tatra views and climbing white bear. The exhibition is accompanied by a presentation of an artist’s book containing a literary essay and over 20 graphics by the artist.
Excursion is supported by the Polish Cultural Institute in London.
For more details and tickets click HERE.
Lecture – An Introduction to Polish Japonisme
Applications Open – The “Ambassador of Polish
