BWA Contemporary Art Gallery in Katowice

Although this publication is complementary to the exhibition of the same title, it constitutes an independent work. Its aim is to document, as fully as possible, the history of an annual international plein air/symposium, taking place in Poland for 21 years.
The volume begins with an introduction which expounds the origin and development of this event, and provides a review of its evolving aims, as well as issues related to its specificity.
A highly significant section of this book covers reflections and memories by plein air participants, including: three art critics from Poland and Germany and fifteen artists (eight from abroad).
The documentary part comprises a list of 20 plein airs (as promised by the title) alongside a list of  artists who participated in them, and detailed schedules of the theoretical classes which were held on location.
The monograph also includes a list of artists who have participated in the symposiums and a separate list of lecturers.
The visual and quantitative attractiveness of this book emanates from the reproductions of works which have been donated by the artists to the institutions that hosted the plein airs; however, each artist is represented by only one of their donated works.
The publication presents 137 artists altogether, including 55 authors from Poland and 82 from abroad.

Bożena Kowalska

• Organizers