Tag Archives: Jotka

Old Westbury, New York, U.S. October 19, 2019. Statue is one of 33 by Jerzy Kędziora (Jotka) in his Balance in Nature outdoor sculptures exhibit held at Old Westbury Gardens.

From Poland to Old Westbury Gardens: Sculptor Jerzy “Jotka” Kędziora

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
November 4, 2019

Because the Panel Discussion and Closing Reception for the  JERZY “JOTKA” KĘDZIORA “Balance in Nature” sculptures exhibit took place mid-October at Old Westbury Gardens on Long Island’s Gold Coast, Jotka’s sculptures had a gloriously colorful setting.

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Old Westbury, New York, U.S. October 19, 2019. Tour, led by (at right) Docent LUCY JAFFE and including (at center, wearing brown hat) visitor ROXANNE BINASO, looks up at Juggler with Cudgels, one of Jerzy Kędziora (Jotka) Balance in Nature outdoor sculptures, during Closing Reception for the exhibit, held at Old Westbury Gardens. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Old Westbury, New York, U.S. Oct. 19, 2019. Tour, led by (at right) Docent LUCY JAFFE and including (at center, wearing brown hat) visitor ROXANNE BINASO, looks up at Juggler with Cudgels, one of Jerzy Kędziora (Jotka) Balance in Nature outdoor sculptures, during Closing Reception for the exhibit, held at Old Westbury Gardens. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

  • SCULPTURE TOUR

After lunch, the mild weather and autumn leaves helped make for an enjoyable tour of the bronze resin, balancing sculptures throughout the Gold Coast estate grounds.

An unexpected bonus was that the tour partly overlapped the area the annual RISE of the Jack O’Lanterns is held at nights, so we saw over 30,000 (unlit) creatively carved, real pumpkins!

LUCY JAFFE, a volunteer docent, lead the tour I joined, and PAUL HUNCHAK, the Director of Visitor Service & Public Programs, lead the later tour.

  • PANEL DISCUSSION

Kedziora’s flight was delayed. As NANCY COSTOPULOS, the President & CEO of Old Westbury Gardens, gave opening remarks, “Jotka” arrived just in time for Costopulos to introduce him.

Old Westbury, New York, U.S. October 19, 2019. Jerzy Kędziora (Jotka) arrives straight from his flight to the Closing Reception for his Balance in Nature outdoor sculptures exhibit held at Old Westbury Gardens. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Old Westbury, New York, U.S. Oct. 19, 2019. Jerzy Kędziora (Jotka) arrives straight from his flight to the Closing Reception for his Balance in Nature outdoor sculptures exhibit held at Old Westbury Gardens. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

PANELISTS:

Old Westbury, New York, U.S. October 19, 2019. October 19, 2019. Old Westbury, New York. U.S. L-R, JOANNA RAPICKA, PAUL HUNCHAK, ISABELA GOLA, JERZY KĘDZIORA (JOTKA), NANCY COSTOPULOS, SOHRAB MOHEBBI, MARIE-ÈVE LaFONTAINE, and JENNIFER LANTZAS pose for photo after Panel Discussion during Closing Reception for Kedziora's Balance in Nature outdoor sculptures exhibit at Old Westbury Gardens, which presented the event in collaboration with The Polish Cultural Institute NY, in association with Art&Balance Foundation of Poland. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Old Westbury, New York. Oct. 19, 2019. U.S. L-R, JOANNA RAPICKA, PAUL HUNCHAK, ISABELA GOLA, JERZY KĘDZIORA (JOTKA), NANCY COSTOPULOS, SOHRAB MOHEBBI, MARIE-ÈVE LaFONTAINE, and JENNIFER LANTZAS pose for photo after Panel Discussion during Closing Reception for Kedziora’s Balance in Nature outdoor sculptures exhibit at Old Westbury Gardens, which presented the event in collaboration with The Polish Cultural Institute NY, in association with Art&Balance Foundation of Poland. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

JERZY KĘDZIORA, Polish artist whose sculptures are internationally exhibited and found in museums, galleries and governmental institutions and public spaces | site: Jerzy Kedziora

IZABELA GOLA, Curator of Visual Art & Design Programming at the Polish Cultural Institute New York, in the field of public diplomacy

Old Westbury, New York, U.S. October 19, 2019. L-R, JOANNA RAPICKA, the Foreign Relations Director of Art&Balance Foundation in Poland; and sculptor JERZY KĘDZIORA; listen to ISABELA GOLA ask Kedziora questions during Panel Discussion of the Closing Reception for Kędziora's Balance in Nature outdoor sculptures exhibit held at Old Westbury Gardens. Gola was born in Poland, and is the Curator of Visual Art & Design Programming at the Polish Cultural Institute NY, in the field of public diplomacy. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Old Westbury, New York, U.S. Oct. 19, 2019. L-R, JOANNA RAPICKA, the Foreign Relations Director of Art&Balance Foundation in Poland; and sculptor JERZY KĘDZIORA; listen to ISABELA GOLA ask Kedziora a question during Panel Discussion of the Closing Reception for Kędziora’s Balance in Nature outdoor sculptures exhibit held at Old Westbury Gardens. Gola was born in Poland, and is the Curator of Visual Art & Design Programming at the Polish Cultural Institute NY, in the field of public diplomacy. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

JENNIFER LANTZAS, Deputy Director of Art & Antiquities at NYC Parks

Old Westbury, New York, U.S. October 19, 2019. JENNIFER LANTZAS is outdoors at the Closing Reception for Jerzy Kędziora Balance in Nature outdoor sculptures exhibit held at Old Westbury Gardens. Lantzas, who was a panelist at the event’s Panel Discussion, is the Deputy Director of Art & Antiquities at NYC Parks. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Old Westbury, New York, U.S. Oct. 19, 2019. JENNIFER LANTZAS is outdoors at the Closing Reception for Jerzy Kędziora Balance in Nature outdoor sculptures exhibit held at Old Westbury Gardens. Lantzas, who was a panelist at the event’s Panel Discussion, is the Deputy Director of Art & Antiquities at NYC Parks. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

MARIE-ÈVE LAFONTAINE, curator of modern & contemporary art, including “The Empty House” exhibit in Berlin

Old Westbury, New York, U.S. October 19, 2019. MARIE-ÈVE LAFONTAINE, eating lunch outdoors at the Closing Reception for Jerzy Kędziora Balance in Nature outdoor sculptures exhibit held at Old Westbury Gardens. LaFontaine, who was a panelist at the event, is an independent curator of modern and contemporary art, and former curator at Schinkel Pavillon in Berlin and at TRAFO Center for Contemporary Art in Stettin, Poland. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Old Westbury, New York, U.S. Oct. 19, 2019. MARIE-ÈVE LAFONTAINE, eating lunch outdoors at the Closing Reception for Jerzy Kędziora Balance in Nature outdoor sculptures exhibit held at Old Westbury Gardens. LaFontaine, who was a panelist at the event, is an independent curator of modern and contemporary art, and former curator at Schinkel Pavillon in Berlin and at TRAFO Center for Contemporary Art in Stettin, Poland. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

SOHRAB MOHEBBI, a writer & Curator at SculptureCenter


The event ended after the Panel Discussion and some group photos. When a visitor asked to have her photo taken with Kędziora, Jotka didn’t let jet lag throw him off balance!

Old Westbury, New York, U.S. October 19, 2019. L-R, JERZY KĘDZIORA and a visitor pose for photo at end of Closing Reception for Kędziora’s Balance in Nature outdoor sculptures exhibit held at Old Westbury Gardens. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Old Westbury, New York, U.S. Oct. 19, 2019. L-R, JERZY KĘDZIORA and a visitor pose for photo at end of Closing Reception for Kędziora’s Balance in Nature outdoor sculptures exhibit held at Old Westbury Gardens. ( (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Along with seeing Jerzy Kedziora during the Panel Discussion, I particularly enjoyed seeing his “Charlie Chaplin” balancing sculpture during the tour, as The (bronze resin) Little Tramp made his gravity defying climb up a high ladder, complete with the technicolor background of autumn reflected in the pond behind him. 

Old Westbury, New York, U.S. October 19, 2019. CHARLIE CHAPLIN sculpture suspended over reflecting pool is one of the Jerzy Kędziora (Jotka) Balance in Nature outdoor sculptures seen during the tour part of Closing Reception for the exhibit, held at Old Westbury Gardens. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Old Westbury, New York, U.S. Oct. 19, 2019. CHARLIE CHAPLIN sculpture suspended over reflecting pool is one of Jerzy Kędziora (Jotka) Balance in Nature outdoor sculptures seen during the tour part of Closing Reception for the exhibit, held at Old Westbury Gardens. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)


  • FEATURE PHOTO at top of post: Old Westbury, New York, U.S. Oct. 19, 2019. The suspended sculpture is one of 33 balancing sculptures by Jerzy Kedziora in “Balance in Nature” outdoor exhibit at Old Westbury Gardens.


Reception for Jerzy Kędziora Exhibit: PHOTO GALLERY

Old Westbury Gardens

Art&Balance Foundation of Poland

My 8/2019 blog post: Balance in Nature

CONTACT ME

Old Westbury, NY, U.S., Sept. 1, 2019. "Athlete 1 - Over the Hurdle" seen silhouetted by sky at upper right, is one of 33 outdoor sculptures by Jerzy Kedziora (Jotka), b. 1947 in Poland, and his Balance in Nature art is on view at historic Old Westbury Gardens in Long Island, until October 13, 2019.

Balance in Nature at Old Westbury Gardens

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
September 9, 2019

Eager to visit Old Westbury Gardens during its “Balance in Nature” exhibit of outdoor sculptures by JERZY “JOTKA” KĘDZIORA, I went Sunday, September 1st, when it brought kind summer weather and the bonus of “Fidos After Five” night.

NOTE: Exhibit has been extended until Sunday, October 20, 2019

DEFYING GRAVITY

Strolling through the estate grounds with my friend Bob, who played guide with the crucial help of the exhibit map handed out at the entrance booth, I saw about a dozen of the 33 outdoor life-size, bronze resin balancing sculptures by Jerzy “Jotka” Kędziora, born 1947, in Czestochowa, Poland. 

Old Westbury, New York, U.S., September 1, 2019. "Athlete III - Deep Plunge" is one of 33 outdoor sculptures by Jerzy Kędziora (Jotka), b. 1947 in Poland,, and his Balance in Nature art is on view at historic Old Westbury Gardens in Long Island, until October 20, 2019. Seen at dusk, the life-size, bronze resin balancing sculpture, dressed in blue swimwear, appears about to dive into the lawn. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Old Westbury, NY, U.S., Sept. 1, 2019. “Athlete III – Deep Plunge” is an outdoor sculpture by Jerzy Kędziora (Jotka), b. 1947 in Poland, and his Balance in Nature art is on view at historic Old Westbury Gardens in Long Island, until October 20, 2019. Seen at dusk, the life-size, bronze resin balancing sculpture, dressed in blue swimwear, appears about to dive into the lawn. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Athlete III – Deep Plunge” [see above photo] is an arresting sculpture of an athletically lean, muscled man dressed in a blue swimsuit and swim cap, with just his finger tips touching the lawn he appears about to dive into. 

OWG

Old Westbury, New York, U.S., September 1, 2019. "The Last Show False Tone" is one of 33 outdoor sculptures by Jerzy Kędziora (Jotka), b. 1947 in Poland, and his Balance in Nature art is on view at historic Old Westbury Gardens in Long Island, until October 20, 2019. Seen almost silhouetted by the sky, the life-size, bronze resin balancing sculpture, high on a wire suspended between trees, is of a musician holding three mallets to hit notes on 8 bars. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Old Westbury, NY, U.S., Sept. 1, 2019. “The Last Show False Tone” is one of 33 outdoor sculptures by Jerzy Kędziora (Jotka), b. 1947 in Poland, and his Balance in Nature art is on view at historic Old Westbury Gardens in Long Island, until October 20, 2019. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

The Last Show False Tone” [see above photo] is seen almost silhouetted by the sky, the life-size, bronze resin balancing sculpture, high on a wire suspended between trees, is of a musician holding three mallets to hit notes on 8 bars. 

FIDOS AFTER FIVE

During the final weekend of each month, from May through October, Old Westbury Gardens has “Fidos After Five,” when visitors may walk their leashed dogs in designated garden areas – which do not include the Walled Garden – from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

It was such a joy to meet, and at times photograph, the dogs, large and small – all looking happy to be out in the gardens with their families.

Old Westbury, New York, U.S. September 1, 2019. L-R, Rosie the Yorkshire Terrier appears to be looking at the dried leaf on Heidi the Mini Schnauzer during “Fidos after Five” when leashed dogs are permitted in designated garden areas, from 5:00PM - 8:00 PM at historic Old Westbury Gardens in Long Island. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Old Westbury, NY, U.S. Sept. 1, 2019. L-R, Rosie the Yorkshire Terrier appears to be looking at the dried leaf on Heidi the Mini Schnauzer during “Fidos after Five” when leashed dogs are permitted in designated garden areas, from 5:00PM – 8:00 PM at historic Old Westbury Gardens in Long Island. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

[See above photo] Rosie the Yorkshire Terrier appears mesmerized by a dried leaf dangling from Heidi the Mini Schnauzer’s face during “Fidos after Five.”

WORTH A REVISIT, NATURE-ALLY

In the late summer – early autumn weeks ahead, I look forward to revisiting Old Westbury Gardens to see more of its “Balance in Nature” exhibit, which has been extended until October 20, 2019.


FEATURE PHOTO at top of post [detail] Old Westbury, NY, U.S., Sept. 1, 2019. “Athlete 1 – Over the Hurdle” seen silhouetted by sky at upper right, is one of 33 outdoor sculptures by Jerzy Kedziora (Jotka), b. 1947 in Poland, and his Balance in Nature art is on view at historic Old Westbury Gardens in Long Island, until October 20, 2019.


Balance in Nature at Westbury Gardens:  PHOTO GALLERY

• Old Westbury Gardens:  SITE  •  JOIN

• Artist’s Site:  JerzyKedziora.com

My Nov. 2019 blog post: From Poland to Old Westbury Gardens: Sculptor Jerzy Jotka Kedziora

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