He studied psychology and sociology at Jagiellonian University in Kraków. In years 2001-2002 he was an editor of “Ha!art”. Simon’s works were presented, among others, at Manifesta 7, Liverpool Biennale and solo exhibitions at Arnolfini in Bristol, Casino Luxembourg and many public institutions in Poland. In 2007, he was awarded the main prize in Views Award and was also nominated for Paszporty “Polityki” award. In years 2008-2012, he co-hosted autonomous Goldex Poldex art space in Kraków. His works are in collections of Centre for Contemporary Art Ujazdowski Castle, Warsaw; National Museum, Kraków; Museum of Art, Łódź; Bunkier Sztuki, Kraków; Zachęta – Silesian Society of Fine Arts, Katowice. He lives and works in Kraków.
“Auropol”, 2012-2019
video, 34’17’’
Janek Simon is the author of interactive installations, videos, objects, and artistic actions.
He is interested in cultural geography, especially the issue of difference and distance between places, anarchism, ethics and DIY practice, as well as in the possibilities of using forms of science to produce meanings in art. “Auropol”, filmed in the south of India, tells the story of a group of Polish artists invited by Simon to prepare an exhibition in the utopian city of Auroville – a city-communion, founded in 1968 by a transnational community dealing with spiritual development and self-fulfilment. It was decided to build social institutions in that place again. Here architecture combines European modernism with elements of Eastern spirituality, economy operates without money, and the educational system is based on affirmation. During one of the discussions on the role of culture, the idea to exhibit Beckett’s art and organise butoh dance shows aroused controversy. Is there space for culture that represents trauma in the place that is to be utopian? Simon has invited six Polish artists who try to overcome personal or national problems to work in Auroville. He let them confront those who seem free of this type of emotion. Is it possible to export trauma? And what would it mean in a place like Auroville?
