It is difficult to understand Tomek Korzewski’s degree piece not knowing him and his story. Tomek comes from the eastern region of the country, where his family has a large fruit orchard. Looking at artistic development of Korzewski, one can see easily that despite many years spent in a big city and openness to contemporary design trends, his local homeland has always been a point of reference for him. In many artistic or design projects he juxtaposed content and form with it, and led an interesting dialogue with rural tradition, tradition of his own family, local mindset and landscape. In many Tomek’s implementations the orchard as a lyrical metaphor interestingly intertwined with the orchard as a family business, the basis of existence and bonds. He has continued this topic in his degree piece. Apple juice press and table with benches go beyond a marketing concept supporting operation of the orchard business, where significant part of production consists in fresh juice. These objects are also props of a designed event of common feast in public space, derived from tradition of country fairs which were the site for exchanging goods, but also for entertainment and establishing contacts. Unexpected context of Tomek Korzewski’s project emerged with trade war with Russia with its rebound on Polish fruit growers, and patriotic action of eating apples.

Dr. hab. Grzegorz Niwiński, Associate Professor