Mieczysław Szczuka
Constructivist and productivist artist, and mountaineer. Born 1898 in Warsaw. 1915-18 studies painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw under Miłosz Kotarbiński. Makes paintings, graphic art, sculptures, photomontages, abstract films, book illustrations, theatre sets, magazines and posters. Participates in several international exhibitions such as the "First exhibition of modern art" in Bucharest. Promotes utilitarianism in Poland. Diagnosed with tuberculosis, 1923 moves to the mountain resort of Zakopane at the foot of Tatras, starts mountaineering, 1923-27 repeats some most difficult climbs of the time and establishes own new routes. 1924 co-founds the Blok group. 1927 starts the Dźwignia journal as its editor and publisher, first issue in March, four issues are produced before his death. In the editorial of the first issue: "Zadaniem "Dźwigni" jest skupienie tych pracowników kultury (literatów, plastyków itd.), którzy stoją na gruncie dążeń współczesnego proletariatu. [..] Najlepsza kontrolą celowości i skuteczności naszej pracy będzie ściśle trzymanie się bazy marksistowskiej." Dies 1927 in an accident while climbing the south face of Zamarła Turnia in the Tatra Mountains with two novice climbers.
- Literature
- Irena Kossowska, "Mieczysław Szczuka", Instytut Sztuki Polskiej Akademii Nauk, July 2002. (Polish) [1]
- Zofia Radwańska-Paryska, "Witold Henryk Paryski", in Wielka Encyklopedia Tatrzańska Wydawnictwo Górskie, 1995, reprint edition 2004, ISBN 83-7104-009-1 [2]
http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mieczys%C5%82aw_Szczuka
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mieczys%C5%82aw_Szczuka
