Unique photos and drawings a tribute to an extraordinary place.
Exhibition on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the NOSPR headquarters.
Hundreds of concerts, performances by world-class musicians, crowds of music lovers.... Over the past 10 years, the headquarters of the National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra (NOSPR) in Katowice has hosted many events that will long be remembered. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the NOSPR headquarters, the opening of an extraordinary exhibition entitled “How the NOSPR was created/ Architecture in the process of creation 2008-2014” was held in the foyer on October 4. The ceremonial opening of the exhibition preceded the official inauguration of the next artistic season.
It only took 10 years for the NOSPR to gain not only the status of an architectural legend, but also to become a landmark of Katowice. A decade ago, on October 1, 2014, it hosted an inaugural concert featuring a pleiad of stars. Among them were the world-famous pianist, Krystian Zimerman, or the doyen of opera stages, Wieslaw Ochman. And all this under the baton of the incomparable conductor, Alexander Liebreich. However, before the concert hall's seats were comfortably occupied by music enthusiasts, an architectural vision had been materializing for more than six years. A vision that began with a project born in the Konior Studio, later taking shape during the demanding and challenging construction process. And it is this process of several years that is documented in the exhibition titled “How the NOSPR was created/ Architecture in the process of creation 2008-2014”, whose concept and design was created by Tomasz Konior together with Dominik Koros.
- The NOSPR is still the most important adventure in my life, which is still going on, and almost every day there is a sequel. Other parts of this adventure are added by more people I meet there, frequent concerts or spontaneous visits. I love being there, not only to listen to music, but to observe how the building and its surroundings are alive. And it is time that is the best test here. I enjoy how this building has become part of the city. How it is maturing, because there is no question of aging yet. I hope that we will share a similar impression after another decade,” stresses Tomasz Konior, chief designer of the NOSPR
In the beginning there was... book
The inspiration for the exhibition was the book “To Touch Music”, published in 2015, edited by Marcin Szczelina and Tomasz Malkowski with the editorial cooperation of Ewa Niewiadomska. The idea for the publication was conceived by Tomasz Konior, chief architect of the NOSPR headquarters. It brings closer the laborious process of creating this fascinating building - it describes both the birth of the project and the subsequent stages of construction. On its pages scrolls places, events and people.
A similar assumption was made by the creators and protagonists of the exhibition “How the NOSPR was created/ Architecture in the process of creation 2008-2014”. However, here, in place of words, there were images. Images very different, just as different as their authors, but invariably full of passion and emotion.
A story enchanted in images
The exhibition consisted of sketches by Tomasz Konior, design drawings created in the Konior Studio, and finally - photographs by Bartek Barczyk, Wojciech Radwanski, as well as from the Konior Studio archives.
- I came to the NOSPR as a photojournalist for “Gazeta Wyborcza” - at the time I was documenting concerts still in the orchestra's old headquarters. As a photojournalist for the orchestra's 70th birthday, I went with the NOSPR on a sea voyage to Riga, Tallinn and Helsinki. I got a sneak peek at musicians practicing in unusual places, like the lower hull of the Dar Młodzieży. It inspired me a lot as a photographer. When I parted ways with the media, it was to the NOSPR that I directed my first steps. I wanted to think about something, to consider what photographic direction to take. So I started photographing the backstage during the orchestra's concerts. One of the first concerts I photographed was conducted by Krzysztof Penderecki. During the encores, I was left alone with him. That's when I felt that's what I wanted to do, to photograph outstanding people, to witness the making of history, “ says Bartek Barczyk, a photographer, music enthusiast, whose photos contribute to the exhibition ”How the NOSPR was created/ Architecture in the process of creation 2008-2014.
Each frame or sketch presented in the exhibition tells a different story. The photos feature famous composers as inspiration and support, but also people visiting the construction site. In turn, the drawings and sketches document the arduous effort of the birth and realization of the project. The result is an extraordinary mosaic composed of fleeting moments and impressions, which, thanks to the fact that they were captured, have not gone into oblivion.
As Tomasz Konior emphasizes, from the very beginning NOSPR was designed as a meeting place: We wanted to build a community around music in the heart of Katowice and Upper Silesia through a diverse and attractive space. It becomes a second home for musicians, frequented by residents and visitors, providing ideal conditions for attending concerts, but also for spending time, feasting, viewing exhibitions, and shopping in the bookstore. This is part of the urban fabric that is part of the local tradition and builds identity. I would like this architecture to grow into the consciousness of residents, to be useful, liked and durable. After 10 years, it looks like it has succeeded.
