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Poland » Objects
The Rainbow installation
The Rainbow (Tęcza) is an artistic installation designed by Polish artist Julita Wójcik and is made of more than 16 thousand artificial flowers. It was prepared as the Adam Mickiewicz Institute project for the Polish presidency in the EU in 2011. After its presentation in Brussels it was placed in Warsaw on Zbawiciela Square, one of the most lively squares in the city. Part of Warsaw residents and tourists welcomed the rainbow with open arms, however, there have been some instances of vandalism or accidental damage. Until the end of 2013 the installation had been burnt several times. After the last act of vandalism against The Rainbow in November 2013, during the march on Polish Independent Day, it was reconstructed with the support of the Council of Warsaw. According to the artist herself, “The Rainbow” had to be apolitical but became the centerpiece of a nation-wide discussion. Controversy around the project is linked to the LGBT movement and its rights in Poland. The paradox of the rainbow lies in the fact that the builders put up another rainbow, and another was destroyed by its opponents. The partly burned construction, revealing black, reflects the socio-political situation in Poland, the tensions associated with the rainbow as a symbol. Polish photojournalist, Marcin Wziontek, photographed National Independence Day, a nationalist demonstration on 11th November 2013. "Suddenly I said, "You know what? The Rainbow [installation] will be burned in a minute. Come on!" and we headed towards Zbawiciela Square. "Hey! It has already started burning!", one of the photographers shouted. I spotted flames and I started to run. Carrying all the heavy equipment, barely breathing and sweating, I reached the Square before the others managed to get there..."