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“If time had allowed his genius to spread its wings in full, this poet-philosopher of form would have influenced the whole course of architecture as profoundly as he inspired his friends.”- Eero Saarinen 1910–1961, Finnish-American architect and interior designer, one of the most prominent figures in American architecture of the 1950s.

Polish Cultural Institute New York is proud to announce the “Humanist modernity. Maciej and Stanisława Nowicki” exhibition curated by National Institute of Architecture and Urban Planning in Warsaw, featuring two prominent figures in the history of American and Polish architecture, Maciej (Matthew) Nowicki and Stanisława Sandecka-Nowicka.

Stanisława Sandecka-Nowicka was a talented graphic artist and designer and the first female professor of architecture in the history of the United States. Maciej (Matthew) Nowicki collaborated – despite his young age – with renowned architects on prestigious projects whose implementation was interrupted by his tragic death. Their story is a fascinating tale of creative passion, their life together, and the possibilities and limitations of the turbulent beginning of the 20th century. The dramatic history of their homeland, their lived experiences, but also a great hope for a better future laid the foundation for an innovative curriculum and architectural designs that changed the history of the profession. By combining the latest building developments with great respect for the local context, their readiness for dialogue and understanding of others, as well as their enormous talent, they created a humanistic modernism that opened the contemporary understanding of architecture to previously unknown realms.

“If time had allowed his genius to spread its wings in full, this poet-philosopher of form would have influenced the whole course of architecture as profoundly as he inspired his friends.”

Eero Saarinen 1910–1961, Finnish-American architect and interior designer, one of the most prominent figures in American architecture of the 1950s.

Curatorial tour of the exhibition will be held by the curator of the Head of External Projects and Exhibitions Department at NIAiU, Mr. Kacper Kępiński, during reception on the opening day Jan 15 and additional day TBD will be announced. 

The panel program participants will discuss Nowicki’s work in the context of post-war reconstruction, architecture as a tool for building a new identity, and international cooperation between major architects and designers.

Speakers:
Karolina Częczek, Principal, Only If; Exhibition Designer, Humanist Modernity: Stanisława and Maciej Nowicki
Burak Erdim, Associate Professor of Architecture and Coordinator, Graduate Concentration in the History and Theory of Architecture, North Carolina State University
Kacper Kępiński, Head of Department of External Projects and Exhibitions, National Institute of Architecture and Urban Planning, the curator of the “Humanist modernity. Maciej and Stanisława Nowicki” exhibit
Łukasz Stanek, Professor of Architectural History, A. Alfred Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, and the Department of History, University of Michigan; Author, Architecture in Global Socialism: Eastern Europe, West Africa, and the Middle East in the Cold War

Additional Speakers to be Announced.

Co-financed by the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.

_{Photo ©Courtesy of Andrew Fremont-Smith}