Katarzyna Roj’s project in the Polish Pavilion at the 24th Triennale Milano
Katarzyna Roj’s project A Brief Vacation won the competition for the exhibition in the Polish Pavilion at the Milan Triennale (2025) organised by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute. Congratulations!
The subject of the exhibition is the idea of a day spa that combines various functions and meets the needs of a multicultural community. The Polish Pavilion will be transformed into an intimate chamber inspired by the tepidarium – a room that, in ancient Roman baths, was used to rest and warm the body. The space, which will include a lair, will offer visitors an experience of tranquillity amidst the hustle and bustle of the event, while engaging all the senses through artistic activities.
Katarzyna Roj is working on the project with architect Aleksandra Wasilkowska (design of the multicultural transanatorium) and a team: Olaf Brzeski (sculpture), Łukasz Rusznica (photography) and Agata Bartkowiak (visual communication). Monika Opieka (scent), Alicja Wysocka (choreography) and Antonina Nowacka (sound) will participate.
The exhibition is co-organised by BWA Wrocław.
Katarzyna Roj’s exhibition concept stands out from the rest with its very clear vision of realising an urban service, a so-called day spa, which is accessible to all and offers visitors respite. The theme of inequality is commented on precisely through accessibility to respite and comfort. The whole concept has a foundation in an interesting and intellectually stimulating set of texts.
Professor Magdalena Kochanowska writes in the explanatory statement
The Milan Triennale is one of the most prestigious international events dedicated to architecture, art and design. Every three years, the spaces of the Palazzo dell’Arte building, where the event is held, are filled with installations and exhibitions that take the form of artistic interventions (in the form of so-called site-specific art), specially integrated into the space of the historic palace, which houses a museum of art and design on a daily basis. Next year, artists from different countries will address the issue of cities as epicentres of phenomena that accelerate inequalities and, at the same time, key players in addressing them on the local and international stage. Attention will also focus on people, health and gender, and biodiversity. The organisers aim to create a project that goes beyond the walls of the building and the art world, so a number of accompanying events such as social campaigns and symposia of female scientists, among others, have been planned.