Open exhibition: RETURN — about the experience of illness, empathy and support

The opening of the exhibition “RETURN — about the experience of illness, empathy and support” is behind us. In the coming weeks, through an exhibition and discussion meetings, we will break taboos related to chronic and oncological diseases — including those whose effects are not visible at first glance. Combining artistic, scientific and personal perspectives, we create a space to talk about experiences often hidden due to fear, shame or fear of misunderstanding.

In 1926, Virginia Woolf wrote an essay, “On Being Ill.” In it, she noted that disease is as common and as transformative as love or war, and yet it has not become a great literary subject. Writers treat the body as a transparent glass through which the soul can be seen, and not as something that shapes the experience itself. I thank Agata Dawidowicz and Bartosz Kałuzhny for addressing this basic human experience — diseases — and giving voice to the sick. With extraordinary delicacy. I understand those who want to remain anonymous in their illness. They need peace. For me, showing my face was giving meaning to something that didn't make sense — my fear and suffering. By revealing myself then, I wanted to encourage others and, above all, motivate me to study. I'm still trying to do that. Each of us can get sick. We all deserve a long and beautiful life.

— with these words, Dr. Katarzyna de Lasari-Radek, professor of UŁ — Vice-rector of UŁ, and at the same time one of the protagonists of the exhibition, spoke about this project.

See the photo report from the vernissage.

The exhibition, which opened on 16 October this year, can be viewed until 16 November. The exhibition is accompanied by two discussion meetings at the Biedermann Palace, during which we will talk about what it is:

RETURN at work: how to create a supportive place for sick people? (10 November, 6.30 p.m.)

TURNAROUND in life: how to support and be supported in the experience of the disease? (16 November, 6.30 p.m.)

The exhibition is open:

on the day of the accompanying events from 17.00 to 20.30 (the program of events is available below)

23.10, 17-19 (Friday)

24.10, 14-16 (Saturday)

30.10, 17-19 (Friday)

6.11, 17-19 (Friday)

7.11 p.m., 14-16 p.m. (Saturday)

10.11, 17-20.30 (Tuesday)

13.11, 17-19 (Friday)

14.11, 14-16 (Saturday)

16.11, 17-20.30 (Monday)

* Due to renovation works, the entrance is only accessible from Północna Street (from West Street or Sterling Street).

The Wozownia 1/5 Gallery presents works by visual artists as well as literary stories of heroines and heroes of pictures:

Design close to the body/Dorota Salska, PhD, professor of the Academy of Fine Arts in Łódź. Designs of underwear designed for women with ostomy and after mastectomy. The artist devoted her habilitation thesis “Understanding the stoma” to this issue, among others, combining the design perspective with the real needs of women functioning with this experience.

Tissue and Gesty/Bartosz Kałużny (UŁ) Photographic series covering two topics. Gestures are metaphorical images inspired by the stories of people from the community of the University of Lodz who experienced a serious illness and decided to share their experience. Tissues represent a photographic interpretation of the change brought about by disease, shown through the dialogue of human experience with architecture.

Stories of change — literary stories of people from the UŁ community/exhibition narrative: Agata DawidowiczAn integral element of the exhibition are the literary stories of people from the community of the University of Lodz who agreed to share the experience of a serious illness. Together with Gestures, they co-create a multi-part story about change and the search for a new place in life after experiencing a health crisis.

Breast Friends: Prevention through design/Zuzanna Leśniak (student of the Academy of Fine Arts in Łódź) Projects of design objects supporting education and awareness in the field of breast cancer prevention. The works were created as a diploma project of Zuzanna Leśniak, a student of the Academy of Fine Arts in Łódź, laureate of the distinction of the University of Lodz in Prime Time — a competition for the best master's and bachelor's degrees of the Academy of Fine Arts in Łódź.

PHRASE #1. At work: how to create a supportive place for sick people?

10 November (Tuesday), 6.30 p.m., Biedermann Palace (1/5 Franciszkanska Street) Discussion dedicated to building a friendly working environment for people struggling with chronic diseases and other health crises. During the meeting, we will look at this topic from the perspective of employees, employers and institutions. We will talk about accessibility, organizational culture, diversity management and practical solutions to support people experiencing health problems.

They will talk:

dr hab. Jakub Niedbalski, professor UŁ — Institute of Sociology (Department of Sociology of Organization and Management), Faculty of Economics and Sociology of the University of Applied Sciences,

Bartosz Stępien—Director of the Center for Support and Accessibility of the University of Lodz,

Adam Trojańczyk — business leader, member of the Polish Association of Hemophilia Patients

lead: Aleksandra Różalska, PhD — Council for Equal Treatment of the University of Lodz.

PHRASE #2. In life: how to support and be supported in the experience of illness?

16 November (Monday), 6.30 p.m., Biedermann Palace, 1/5Franciszkanska Street Meeting devoted to the emotional and social aspects of the disease. We will talk about how the lives of people with the disease change, what they need from their environment and what role relationships, empathy and daily support play. This is a conversation about both the experience of the sick themselves and their loved ones.

Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek, PhD, Prof. UŁ — Vice-Rector for Internationalization of Science and Education, philosopher, protagonist of the project

Dorota Salska, PhD, professor of the Academy of Fine Arts in Łódź — designer and artist, co-creator of the exhibition

Joanna Miniszewska, PhD, Prof. UŁ, Prof. UŁ — Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences UŁ, expert in psychology, psychotherapy and psycho-oncology

lead: dr Marta Kucharska-Hauk — Institute of Psychology of UŁ, Council for Equal Treatment of UŁ.

You can read more about the project “RETURN — about the experience of illness, empathy and support” on the project website.

THE PHRASE shows that art can be a tool for talking about difficult and often overlooked issues. It combines artistic, scientific and personal perspectives, creating a space for the encounter of diverse experiences and reflection on how to build a more supportive and empathetic community. The exhibition, realized jointly with the Academy of Fine Arts in Łódź, is an accompanying event of the Man in Danger Media Festival. The project is implemented in cooperation with organizations and communities supporting people experiencing chronic diseases. We work together as part of social actions: October Breast Cancer Awareness Month and November Male Cancer Awareness Month.

Material, editor: Agata Dawidowicz, Centre for Cooperation with the Environment and University Social ResponsibilityPhoto: Dorota Kudlicka, Centre for Cooperation with the Environment and Social Responsibility of the University