Agnieszka Baaske

wedding dress
object, 2014

The word swastika comes from Sanskrit and means “an auspicious object”. In Asia, it is commonly used until the present day as a symbol of good and auspiciousness. In Europe prior to the Second World War it occurred as an element of military decorations, emblems, or in heraldry. Carved or painted on ceiling beams in houses, it was used as a sort of talisman for protection against evil.
Swastika in its original meaning is to be found also in some architectural details in Wrzeszcz.
Within Narrations, Agnieszka Baaske presents an Edwardian wedding dress (1910) decorated with lace featuring the very motif of swastika. She deliberately located the innocent and virginal attire in the attic of a synagogue, in a sacred space, right where it belongs.
The work is a perfect demonstration of the historical dissonance as well as the flux and ambiguity of symbols.
The artist attempts to return to the original intentions.
The object is to “demystify” history for a moment.

Agnieszka Baaske (b. 1980) lives and works in Gdańsk.
Designer, illustrator, photographer. Deals with miniature weaving and installations. Co-creator of the duo Prulla.
In her practice she refers to imagination, magical and mysterious elements. Inspired by nature, folk, folk stories and fairy tales. Looks for the extraordinary in the everyday.
Her projects function mainly in public space. She is interested in imbuing urban tissue with life by means of simple objects and gestures. Her art also has educational values. She runs her own workshops with children and youth.
Graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk (2007). Participant in the festivals ArtLoop, NARRACJE, Poroża Sztuki, Streetwaves.