Beneath the Surface. Górnicki and Dobrowolski Exhibition in Kraków
An exhibition titled “Beneath the Surface” (Pod powierzchnią) by Tomasz Górnicki and Igor Dobrowolski has been announced in Kraków. The show will be staged in the abandoned cellars of the annex of the Ogiński and Potulicki Palace at ul. marsz. Józefa Piłsudskiego 4 and will be open from 24 October to 29 November 2026.
In brief
- Venue: the basement of the annex of the Ogiński and Potulicki Palace, ul. marsz. Józefa Piłsudskiego 4 in Kraków.
- Dates: 24 October – 29 November 2026.
- Authors: Tomasz Górnicki and Igor Dobrowolski; curator Delfina Jałowik.
- Themes: homelessness, depression, social maladjustment, and experiences that normally remain outside everyday view.
- Visits take place in groups of up to 25 people, with a guide.
An exhibition in historic cellars
The exhibition “Beneath the Surface” will be held in the basement of the annex of the Ogiński and Potulicki Palace at ul. marsz. Józefa Piłsudskiego 4 in Kraków. The works are by Tomasz Górnicki and Igor Dobrowolski. The project was announced in a statement published on the krakow.pl portal.
The works are site-specific installations, meaning they are created with a particular space in mind. The venue where they are shown therefore becomes part of the exhibition itself, rather than serving merely as a backdrop for the exhibits. The exhibition will run from 24 October to 29 November 2026.
Themes: violence, trauma and exclusion
According to the announcement, the exhibition addresses violence, trauma, exclusion and rejection. The authors take up themes of homelessness, depression and social maladjustment, as well as experiences and emotions that usually remain outside the everyday view of the city’s residents.
The choice of an underground space fits this subject matter. Cellars, out of the reach of passers-by, become in this context a place where matters that are usually hidden, pushed away from public space and rarely discussed openly can be seen.
A forgotten space, not just a venue
The rooms had stood empty, unused and flooded for years. The organizers say that the building’s condition will not be concealed. The space is to be incorporated into the exhibition as an integral element of it.
For visitors, this means that viewing the works will be inseparable from moving through an interior with its raw history clearly preserved. The statement does not specify the details of individual installations, so how they are experienced remains open to direct experience of the building.
Visiting rules and opening hours
Visits take place in groups of up to 25 people, accompanied by a guide. Entry is through the gate on the left side of the building. Overshoe covers will be provided on site to protect the interior from dirt.
The exhibition is open during set hours, which vary depending on the day of the week. The schedule is presented below.
| Day | Visiting hours |
|---|---|
| Friday | 16.00–19.00 |
| Saturday and Sunday | 11.00–17.00 |
Note: The statement contains no information about ticket prices or whether advance booking is required. Before planning a visit, it is worth checking current details with the organizers, especially since visits are held in guided groups.
Curator and project coordination
The exhibition’s curator is Delfina Jałowik. Agnieszka Mazoń-Żywolewska is responsible for coordinating the project. The announcement therefore points to a clear division of roles: the curator oversees the content of the exhibition, while the coordinator handles organizational matters.
The exhibition brings two artists together in one project, presenting their work in a place of special character. The statement does not describe the programme of accompanying events in detail.
Frequently asked questions
The exhibition takes place in the basement of the annex of the Ogiński and Potulicki Palace at ul. marsz. Józefa Piłsudskiego 4 in Kraków. It will be open from 24 October to 29 November 2026, on Fridays from 4.00 to 7.00 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Entry is through the gate on the left side of the building. Visits take place in groups of up to 25 people, accompanied by a guide. Overshoe covers will be available on site.
The organizers’ statement does not provide information on ticket prices or on whether advance booking is required. To get up-to-date information, it is worth contacting the organizers before your visit.
Key facts
- The exhibition “Beneath the Surface” by Tomasz Górnicki and Igor Dobrowolski runs from 24 October to 29 November 2026.
- The show is staged in the abandoned cellars of the Ogiński and Potulicki Palace, which become an integral part of it.
- Visits take place in groups of up to 25 people, with a guide.
Based on information from: krakow.pl
