International Conference | I am someone else. The idea of a museum of one artist and its possible updates

The myth of the artist as a self-born genius who, thanks to his innate talent and his own work, climbs to the peaks of Parnassus, has been subjected to critical analysis for decades and is considered a relic of discredited aesthetic paradigms. Despite this, its impact is still alive. Does this mean that a museum dedicated to one artist must remain hostage to this myth and serve only to perpetuate it? Or are other “uses” of this institution possible?

About the conference program

Conference I am someone else. The idea of a one-artist museum and its possible updates is intended to contribute to a more in-depth and critical understanding of the role that single-artist museums can play in today's changing cultural landscape.

Representatives of institutions actively involved in redefining this museum model will share their experiences and thoughts, including: Roland Wetzel (Director of the Museum Tinguely in Basel), Laurence Sillars (Director of the Henry Moore Institute, Leeds), Caroline Ugelstad (Director of the Munchmuseet Collection, Oslo), Julita Dembowska (Director of the Władysław Hasior Gallery) in Zakopane), Andrzej Przywara (co-founder of the Institute of Avant-Garde in Warsaw) and Martin Cubjak (director of the Andy Warhol Museum of Modern Art, Medzilaborce). The invited guests will reflect together on the potential of one artist's museums and how they can be used not only for a critical reinterpretation of art history, but also for a deeper understanding of the world in which we live.

About the initiative

The conference is held in connection with the exhibition Kantor presented in Cricoteka. Vision therapy colliding the work of Tadeusz Kantor with the works of contemporary artists, and thus problematizes the social perception of the founder of Cricoteka in the key of the myth of the artist-genius.

Date, place

6—7 October 2026, Tadeusz Kantor Art Documentation Centre CRICOTEKA, 2-4 Nadwiślańska Street, Kraków

Registration

Participation in the conference is free of charge. The number of seats is limited to 100 people.

Conference in English, will be simultaneously translated into Polish.

Registration via the registration form LINK TO THE FORM

Organizing Committee of the Conference

Jarosław Suchan — concept and chairmanship,

Natalia Zarzecka

Małgorzata Paluch-Cybulska

Adam Nehring

Organizer

Cricoteka