EVERY BODY – jewellery in relation to the body and community
The central focus of the Opening Weekend will be the announcement of the results of the 34th EVERY BODY International Jewellery Competition. This year's edition attracted 265 artists from 24 countries across Europe, Asia, South America, and Australia, confirming the global reach and prestige of the Legnica event. The competition's theme directs attention to both corporeality and community – it explores the relationship between jewellery and the body, while also touching upon themes of diversity and the tensions of the contemporary world. The competition entries were judged by an international jury comprising: Paul Derrez (Netherlands), Sławomir Fijałkowski (Poland), Sergiusz Kuchczyński (Poland), Andreia Gabriela Popescu (Romania), and Helena Renner (Germany). From the submissions received, the jurors selected the works of 40 artists from 12 countries, which form the post-competition exhibition.
Opening Weekend – meetings, discussions, and live art
The Opening Weekend is, however, much more than a competition and the excitement of announcing its results. It's an intense two days full of art and meetings: exhibition openings, discussions, the „Borders of Global Art” seminar, a concert, and performances. It's a moment when Legnica lives and breathes art – and the public has a rare opportunity to engage in direct dialogue with creators and see the latest phenomena and trends in art jewellery from around the world.
Art exhibitions at the heart of the Festival
As every year, exhibitions will be the central meeting platform. Artists and students from Poland and abroad will present their work in this edition of the Festival, including Nikita Kavryzhkin – an artist associated with Idar-Oberstein, the German centre for gemstone processing, Ewa Effenberg-Kaja – a jewellery designer and academic teacher associated with the Academy of Fine Arts in Łódź, Monica Peksa – an Austrian designer, goldsmith, and educator who often draws on origami traditions in her work, Sophie Bélanger – an artist from Quebec who uses humor to encourage viewers to reflect on our perception of life, or Karolina Dyczko, who focuses on combining diverse materials and techniques in her creations, as well as students and educators from the Experimental Design Studio at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk. The audience can expect nearly a thousand objects: from classic silver forms, which have been a hallmark of Legnica for years, to experimental creations made from materials less commonly associated with jewellery: paper, stone, wool, as well as those created using 3D printing technology. This is a cross-sectional, often surprising panorama of the latest trends in authorial jewellery.
Legnica Silver Festival For almost half a century, it has been building its position as one of the key events in Europe and around the world – a place where art, design, and emotions meet. The Opening Weekend is the best time to feel its energy in full. Especially since all events are available free of charge.
