Beneath the Surface: Górnicki and Dobrowolski Exhibition in Kraków
An exhibition titled “Pod powierzchnią” (Beneath the Surface) by Tomasz Górnicki and Igor Dobrowolski has been announced in Kraków. It will be staged in the abandoned cellars of the annex of Pałac Ogińskich i Potulickich (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 Pałac Ogińskich i Potulickich, 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.
- Tours take place in groups of up to 25 people, led by a guide.
An exhibition in historic cellars
The exhibition “Pod powierzchnią” will be held in the basement of the annex of Pałac Ogińskich i Potulickich at ul. marsz. Józefa Piłsudskiego 4 in Kraków. The exhibition is 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 becomes part of the exhibition itself, rather than merely 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 sight of passersby, become 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 an exhibition venue
The rooms had been left empty, unused and flooded for years. The organizers say that this condition of the building 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 announcement does not specify the details of individual installations, so how they are experienced remains open to direct engagement with the building.
Visiting rules and opening hours
Tours take place in groups of up to 25 people, accompanied by a guide. Entrance is through the gate on the left-hand 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 | Viewing hours |
|---|---|
| Friday | 16.00–19.00 |
| Saturday and Sunday | 11.00–17.00 |
Note: The announcement does not include 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 tours take place in groups with a guide.
Curator and project coordination
The exhibition’s curator is Delfina Jałowik. Agnieszka Mazoń-Żywolewska is responsible for coordinating the project. The announcement therefore indicates a clear division of roles: the curator oversees the substantive content of the exhibition, while the coordinator handles organizational matters.
The exhibition brings two artists together in one project, presenting their works in a space of particular character. The announcement does not describe the programme of accompanying events in detail.
Frequently asked questions
The exhibition is held in the basement of the annex of Pałac Ogińskich i Potulickich at ul. marsz. Józefa Piłsudskiego 4 in Kraków. It will be open from 24 October to 29 November 2026, on Fridays from 16.00 to 19.00, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11.00 to 17.00.
Entrance is through the gate on the left-hand side of the building. Tours take place in groups of up to 25 people, led by a guide. Overshoe covers will be available on site.
The organizers’ announcement does not provide information about ticket prices or whether advance booking is required. To get current information, it is worth contacting the organizers before your visit.
Key facts
- The exhibition “Pod powierzchnią” by Tomasz Górnicki and Igor Dobrowolski will run from 24 October to 29 November 2026.
- The exhibition is staged in the abandoned cellars of Pałac Ogińskich i Potulickich, which become an integral part of the work.
- Tours take place in groups of up to 25 people, led by a guide.
Source: krakow.pl
