Rafal Milach's Refusal. Second Fracture. An Exhibition on Political Narratives and Resistance in Madrid

This exhibition traces the construction and breakdown of official narratives in Eastern Europe through the work of Polish artist Rafał Milach. It examines how state propaganda can be subverted by individual resistance and collective action, using photography, murals, and archival materials to explore themes of political order and social movements.

The exhibition 'Refusal. Second Fracture.' by Rafał Milach delves into the mechanisms of constructing and fracturing official narratives across Eastern Europe. It uses Milach's photographic work, including series like 'The Winners' and 'Seeding,' alongside murals, flags, videos, and materials from the Archive of Public Protests, to illustrate these themes. The exhibition centers on the story of Xenia Degelko, a Belarusian activist initially used as a propaganda icon, whose subsequent participation in protests against contested elections highlighted the fragility of state representation. This narrative is paralleled with social mobilizations in Poland, focusing on movements defending women's rights, LGBTQIA+ communities, minorities, and the rule of law. These dynamics reveal the emergence of self-organizing networks that have compensated for institutional shortcomings, particularly in response to crises like the refugee influx following the invasion of Ukraine, fostering transnational solidarity and exposing structural inequalities. Curated by Katarzyna Sagatowska and organized by the Polish Cultural Institute in Madrid in collaboration with the Círculo de Bellas Artes, the exhibition is part of PHotoESPAÑA 2026.

Admission to the exhibition includes access to the rooftop. Ticket prices vary, with options for exhibition and rooftop access, exhibition only, and reduced rates. Members of Círculo de Bellas Artes receive free entry. Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office.