“Can you hear it?” That is the most asked question when someone is brought to Graj\u0105ce drzewo. Here at Graj\u0105ce drzewo, nature blends seamlessly with music. This multimedia installation pays tribute to Krzysztof Penderecki. He was a renowned Polish composer.
Graj\u0105ce drzewo resides in the south part of the Royal Baths Park. It sits a few steps from the South Gate, near Gagarina Street. The installation was unveiled on June 29, 2022. El\u017cbieta Penderecka attended the opening. She was the composer’s wife. The Atom String Quartet also performed.
The core of Graj\u0105ce drzewo is a tree. Mirrors surround it in a horizontal circle. Speakers hide within this structure. The mirrors reflect the tree and its surroundings. This includes other trees and people.
The music is “Little partita in the old style”. Piotr Orzechowski composed it. The piece draws inspiration from Penderecki. The Adam Mickiewicz Institute commissioned it. As you approach Graj\u0105ce drzewo, sensors react. The music grows louder. This invites you to fully experience the composition.
Graj\u0105ce drzewo features a QR code. It links to the “Penderecki’s Garden” platform. The Adam Mickiewicz Institute created this platform. It was created after Penderecki’s death in 2020. The installation encourages exploration of Penderecki’s music. It promotes his legacy.
El\u017cbieta Penderecka said nature was most important to her husband. She said this next to music. She believes music is very close to nature. Her husband’s garden inspired his Eighth Symphony.
Barbara Schabowska is the director of the Adam Mickiewicz Institute. She said gardens are where humanity began. She added that gardens hold our history. Penderecki’s garden was more than inspiration. It became part of his legacy.
Marianna Otmianowska is the deputy director of the Royal Baths Museum. She said presenting Penderecki’s music here is wonderful. It appeals to visitors’ senses. This place combined with Penderecki’s music offers a sensory experience.
The installation is interactive. It holds an element of mystery. Discovering the music’s source requires effort. It challenges passersby to engage with their surroundings. Graj\u0105ce drzewo was funded by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. It was part of the INDEPENDENT Multiannual Program for 2017-2022.
Graj\u0105ce drzewo aims to connect you with Penderecki’s world. It blends art, nature, and technology. It offers a unique cultural experience in Royal Baths Park.