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Invincible Polish Spirit

Polish exhibition in Los Angeles

by Artur Zygmont

The lnvincible Polish Spirit, an exhibition of Polish history and culture, held in the California Museum of Science and Industry, Los Angeles, from December 7, 1979 through April 27, 1980, was the most comprehensive Polish exhibition ever presented in the Western United States. Hundreds of people of all ages and backgrounds were involved: architects, carpenters, electricians, researchers, typists, artists, musicians, consultants, fund raisers. Residents of the Szarotka retirement home made Polish Christmas tree ornaments; school children participated in several programs. It was a tremendous undertaking and an outstanding example of "Polonia" pulling and working together.

The exhibition itself is best described in a special guide given to visitors, which read in part as follows:

A charcoal sketch of Pope John Paul II by Helen Tornau greets the viewer on the west wall, a large totem-like figure of Swiatowid, the four-sided head all-seeing Proto Pagan God representing Proto-Poland. This is followed by "Reflections" and "Origins" of Poland linguistically and as a national state. Next are "Images of Poland" - a visual synopsis of the exhibition ranging from the old town of Warsaw; the Mazurian Lakes; the Black Madonna; the symbol of Polish Catholicism; bleak Auschwitz; and other tragedies and triumphs.

The west wall presentation ends with a depiction of Biskupin, an archaeological site discovered near Poznan in the thirties. It was a fortified wooden settlement built 700-400 B.C. Here the Proto Poles enjoyed a surprisingly high degree of civilization.

The north wall consists of an historical time line elaborately simplified by the portrayal of major events such as the Statute of Kalisz 1264 (Jewish Civil Rights); the Battle of Grunwald (Polish Lithuanian armies ending the Teutonic Order's drive to the east); the Polish Monarchy, its heights and its depths; and ends with photographs of Pope John Paul II.

Alongside the north wall special display stands and cases are devoted to Philately, Literature, and the Dissident Press. The Philatelic display is a complete collection of Polish stamps and stamps issued by the Polish Government-ln-Exile. The POW stamps designed and painted by Polish prisoners exemplify "The lnvincible Polish Spirit",the theme of the exhibit. Beyond the philatelic display is a glass case in which actual garments and utensils of a Polish prisoner in a German camp are included. The Polish literature case contains books written by known and lesser-known authors beginning with Rej and Kochanowski, first to use the Polish vernacular, and include many of the 19th and early 20th century writers such as Nobel Prize winners Reymont and Sienkiewicz. Non-Poles will be interested to learn that Joseph Conrad, on whose works the film Apocalypse Now is based, was Polish.

The east wall starts with sports: the history of Polish participation in the Olympics, Gold Medalists including Stella Walsh Walasiewicz in Los Angeles in 1932. An Olympic flag is shown. American athletes of Polish background Stan Musial, CarI Yastrzemski, Frank Tanana and Los Angeles Ram Bob Brudzinski and many others are recognized.

Continuing on the east wall, the exhibit highlights Polish and Polish American achievements in medicine and science. Contributions are numerous and varied, ranging from Maria Sklodowska Curie, the discoverer of radium, to Mieczyslaw G. Bekker, the inventor of the Moon Rover.

The last half of the east wall is devoted to theater, film, and music: all areas in which Poles have been extremely fruitful. The listing of Polish composers is lengthy and impressive. Their preeminence in our own time continues with Penderecki, Lutoslawski, Serocki, Skrowaczewski, Baird and Bacewicz, all of whose works are known by musicologists and symphony patrons in Los Angeles. Polish music is presented aurally as well as visually at the exhibit. A continuous pleasantly melodious stream of background music from Chopin to contemporary electronic arrangements accompanies the tour.

The south wall is devoted to art in its many forms arranged in an artistic time line: nineteenth century Polish masters such as Orlowski, Chelmonski, Wojciech Gerson, Norblin and the Kossaks plus naive and modern art, weavings and canvas sculpture obtained from well-known collections. Above these hangs a collection of modem posters -- an art form in which the Poles have excelled.

The exhibit area is pleasantly separated by partitions and stages. On completing the art wall, one's attention is focused on the center area. Polished wooden sculptures of animals and birds by Dorek Rusin of Santa Barbara greet the eye. Adjacent are magnificent wall hangings created by contemporary Polish weaver Bozena Radomska Skowron as well as by master weaver Magdalena Abakanowicz. The balance of the center area is a melange of colors and designs devoted to hand crafted Polish folk art and mannequins in several varieties of Polish regional dress.

Each weekend, in addition to the mounted display, concerts and lectures were held in the adjacent Kinsey Auditorium. In all, fifteen concerts were presented, covering all periods of Polish music, from 12th century polyphony through Chopin, Moniuszko, Paderewski, Moszkowski, Szymanowski, Bacewicz, Lutoslawski, Penderecki, Kilar. Also heard were lesser known Polish musical lights: Muszynski, Szalowski, Szeligowski, Kolinski, Malawski, Wilkomirski.

Lecturers included prominent musicologists and musicians: Harry T. Bulow, Michael Milenski (Director of Long Beach Opera), Leo Podolsky, Judith Rosen, James Streem, Wanda Wilk, Robert Wojciak, Marcia Wozniak and Arthur Zadinsky.

Performers included pianists Lenee and Martha Bilski; Arthur Dobrucki; Nancy Fierro; Janice Foy (who also was cello soloist); Roberta Isenberg Goodman; Leonid Hambro; Stefanie Hutchinson, Kristi Lobitz; James Streem and Renee Tuthill. Also appearing were Monika Kozlowska and Arthur Zadinsky, violinists; Carol Lubinski Levin and Florence Korsak, Sopranos; Zofia Kabarowska, alto; Christopher Zebracki, tenor and Malter Martin, baritone.

Two programs were devoted to Polish Folk Music. These featured the Mazur Polish Folk Ensemble with Rick Kobzi, Director and Kasia Wrobel, choreographer/commentator and the Krakusy, under direction of Marylka Klimek George with Tatra singers Jozia Kulyk, Staszek Danko, Stefan Wosik and pianist Henryk Reiss.

A Gala closing concert featured Janice Foy and Wanda Wilk in two cello piano compositions, piano recital by Donn Alexandre Feder and a presentation by the well know Polish mime, Miko.

A Media Day was held during which actress Loretta Swit toured the exhibition. This was presented on some of the television stations later in the day.

Mark Bielski, AIA, was Exhibition Director. He was assisted by the Design Team of Janek Bielski, Ed Burian, Andrzej Siobowicz, Janek Tabencki and James Tice, AIA. Halina Gawlinska served as Administrative Coordinator; Jean Breese, Treasurer; Czeslaw Olechno-Huszcza, Research Coordinator; Gillian Olechno-Huszcza, Records and Catalog; Krystyna Zielkiewicz, Fund Raising Chairperson; Andrew Krzemuski, Legal Counsel; John Garstka, CPA, Auditor.

Research and Display Heads of the various sections included: Art: Gene H. Zygmont, Christine Sierko; History and Politics: Jerzy Gutkowski, Dr. Michal Zawadzki; Literature: Dr. Franciszka Tuszynska, Wanda Jazwinska, Danuta Zawadzka; Polish Armed Forces: Barbara Karpinska, Cmdr. Czeslaw Wnorowski; Music: Wanda Wilk; Folklore: Andrzej Nizynski, Eva Brabec, Zbigniew Szumanski, Helena Borowska, Zofia Janczur; Philately and Numismatics: Waclaw Pawlowski, Leon Kawecki; Polish Americans: Gillian Olechno-Huszcza; Science: Tomasz Kachelski, Witold Czajkowski, Albin Kazanowski; Medical Science; Dr. Staniey Garstka, Dr. Zbigniew Dworak; Religion: The Reverends Anthony Saran, Jacek Przygoda, Zbigniew Olbrys, Konrad Urbanowski, Edward Kalata; Sports: Artur Zygmont, Henryk Hiller; Theatre: Teresa Ward; Scouting: Wanda Grycko, Tadeusz Borowski. Kasia Bielski served as General Manager, Stefan Pasternacki and Michael Duzik provided background music and Stanley Kersten provided seasonal floral arrangements throughout the exhibition and in the concert hall. Gene Stanwyck-Stankiewicz was responsible for publicity.

Exhibition funding was provided by a series of fund raising events and major contributors. Our Lady of the Bright Mount Church provided the first donation. The Polish Students Association at Loyola Marymount University staged a Polish Fair and donated all profits to the exhibition. Generous donations were received from Ganna Walska, Dr. Stefan and Wanda Wilk, Rev. Jacek Przygoda, Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Szczepanski, Mr. & Mrs. Czeslaw Gwozdziowski, the Polish University CIub, the Polish American Arts Association of Santa Barbara and Dr. Edmund Sermak. Hundreds of donations in all denominations were received from the Polish American community and its friends in California and beyond.

With the exception of Christmas and New Years Day, the exhibition was open to the public each day from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. William J. McCann, Director of the California Museum of Science and Industry, estimated that 1,271,700 people viewed The Invincible Polish Spirit All the volunteers, herein named or unnamed, who worked tirelessly for months to present it to the American public deserve special commendation.

From: Polish Americans in California, vol. II. National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs & Polish American Historical Association. California 1995.