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Month: August 2011

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Art for August 31st

Workers 1980, Andrzej Pagowski

From Polskie Radio: Landmark Solidarity ‘August Agreement’ remembered

Today marks the anniversary of the famed August Agreement, signed 31 years ago on 31 August 1980 – an event that marked the beginning of the end for communism in Poland.

Also known as the Gdansk Agreement, the breakthrough followed strikes at the fabled shipyards in the northern Polish city, with former employee Lech Walesa at the helm.

By 24 April 1980, the communist government estimated that some 130,000 employees from 140 companies in Gdansk and neighbouring Gdynia had joined the strike. The nearby port city of Gdynia followed suit, with approximately 60,000 not turning up for work.

The authorities were compelled to act. As it happened, Poland’s communist leader Edward Gierek called for a peaceful solution to the conflict.

Negotiations ensued between the so-called Interfactory Strike Committee (MKS) and the government. Talks touched on such key themes as censorship restrictions, the release of political prisoners and the allowing of the Church to participate in radio and television programmes.

The first point in the famed 21-demands struck a decisive blow:

“Acceptance of free trade unions that are independent of the party, and of enterprises, in accordance with convention No. 87 of the International Labor Organization concerning the right to form free trade unions.”

The agreement caused a brief eruption of freedom of expression in Poland, before the clampdown of December 1981, when a state of martial law was declared.
Nevertheless, the regime eventually fell due to efforts of Solidarity campaigners, culminating in the Round Table Agreement of spring 1989.

The Poster Art above is for the documentary Robotnicy ’80. In this clip from the movie you hear Lech Wałęsa say: Mamy prawo do strajku! (We have the right to strike!)

Poetry, Poland - Polish - Polonia, , ,

Ethnic American Literature and Poetry Writing Position

Forwarded by Dr. John Guzlowski

GRINNELL COLLEGE: Tenure-track position in the Department of English (Ethnic American Literature and Poetry Writing), starting Fall 2012. Assistant Professor (Ph.D.) preferred; Instructor (ABD) or Associate Professor possible. Grinnell College is a highly selective undergraduate liberal arts college whose English department offers courses in a broad range of literary traditions spanning the long history and present multiplicity of writing in English. The College’s curriculum is founded on a strong advising system and close student-faculty interaction, with few college-wide requirements beyond the completion of a major. The teaching schedule of five courses over two semesters will include Literary Analysis, a survey and an advanced seminar in Ethnic American literature, and eventually introductory and advanced courses in poetry writing. Every few years one course will be Tutorial (a writing/critical thinking course for first-year students, oriented toward a special topic of the instructor’s choice).

In letters of application, candidates should discuss their interest in developing as a teacher and scholar in an undergraduate liberal arts college that emphasizes close student-faculty interaction. They also should discuss what they can contribute to efforts to cultivate a wide diversity of people and perspectives, a core value of Grinnell College. To be assured of full consideration, all application materials should be received by November 11, 2011.

Please submit applications online by visiting our application website. Candidates will need to upload a letter of application, curriculum vita, transcripts (copies are acceptable), statement of teaching philosophy, a set of recent teaching evaluations, a writing sample, and also provide email addresses for three references. Questions about this search should be directed to the search chair, Professor Astrid Henry at 641-269-4655.

Grinnell College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to attracting and retaining highly qualified individuals who collectively reflect the diversity of the nation. No applicant shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, religion, creed, or disability.

Art, PNCC, Poland - Polish - Polonia, ,

Art for Youth Sunday

Young Highlander, Aleksander Augustynowicz, ca. 1910
Young Highland Girl, Stanisław Górski

I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. — Romans 12:1-2

Art, ,

Art for August 23rd

In the Hour of the Observatory - The Lovers, Man Ray

Man Ray | Lee Miller, Partners in Surrealism on view from June 11 through December 4, 2011 at the Peabody Essex Museum, Special Exhibition Galleries, East India Square (161 Essex St), Salem, Massachusetts.

From 1929 to 1932, Man Ray and Lee Miller — two giants of the European Surrealism movement — lived together in Paris, first as teacher and student, and later as lovers. Their mercurial relationship resulted in some of the most powerful work of each artist’s career, and helped shape the course of modern art and photography. Combining rare vintage photographs, paintings, sculpture and drawings, this exhibition tells the story of the artists’ brief but intense association and reveals the nature of their creative partnership.

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