This exhibition showcases Diana Lelonek's artistic intervention within the Museum of Warsaw's collections, focusing on archaeological remnants from the site of the former Saski Palace. The artist explores the contrast between the grand narrative of the palace and the humble, authentic artifacts found in storage.
The Museum of Warsaw presents 'Pałac. Interwencja artystyczna Diany Lelonek,' the inaugural exhibition in a new series of artistic interventions that re-contextualize museum collections. Artist Diana Lelonek was granted access to the museum's storage facilities, where she focused on archaeological collections unearthed from the site of the former Saski Palace. These collections include thousands of objects such as pottery shards, floor tiles, stucco fragments, food remnants, fish bones, and animal bones, all meticulously cataloged and stored in cardboard boxes.
Lelonek's work draws attention to the status, aesthetic qualities, and storage methods of these artifacts. She photographed, filmed, and relocated elements of the archival space to her exhibition, viewing the remnants of the building and past human activity as transitional states between functional objects and geological formations. This fascination with material traces and abandoned human activities aligns with Lelonek's broader artistic practice. The exhibition highlights the significant portion of museum collections that remain unseen by the public, prompting reflection on the diverse narratives contained within these fragments of history and the museum's role in preserving and presenting them.