Torre Velasca hosts Polish modernism at Milan Design Week

“POLISH MODERNISM” EXHIBITION AT TORRE VELASCA

After his success with Romantic Brutalism in 2025, The Visteira Foundation returns to Milan Design Week with the exhibition entitled “Polish Modernism. A fight for Beauty.’ It is hosted on the 16th floor of the iconic Milan Velasca Tower from April 20–26, h report explores his courageous nature Polishing plan. Edited by Federica Sala and Anna herselfthe show juxtaposes historical masterpieces with contemporary designs to reveal how of Poland turbulent history gave rise to modernism.

historical masterpieces of Polish modernism | all images courtesy of Wisteria Foundation

The title of the exhibition comes from a 1948 text by Irena Krzywicka, which frames modernism not as a simple aesthetic choice, but as an act of cultural resistance. In the Polish context, the movement was a multifaceted project for a nation forging its identity. Instead of succumbing to the traditional form-function dualism, Polish designers embraced modernist ideas, pushing creative and technical boundaries to benefit the common man and improve the quality of everyday life.

By bringing together different generations and design approaches, the exhibition invites visitors to appreciate and reflect on how Polish modernism evolves, adapts and remains deeply relevant.

Visteria Foundation brings a selection of Polish craft and design pieces to Milan Design Week 2026

POLISH DESIGN AS A COMPETENCE FOR THE FUTURE

The Visteria Foundation, led by founder Kataryna Jordan, positions the Polish plan as “competence for the future.” This approach builds on the legacy of the Institute of Industrial Design (IWP). Founded in 1950 by Wanda Telakowska, n IWP is one of Europe’s oldest design institutions and operates under the belief that beauty is a civil right, not a luxury.

The curatorial narrative of ‘Polish Modernism. The Struggle for Beauty’ contrasts functionalist rigor with postmodern reinterpretations, revealing a circular return to modernism in response to socio-cultural changes. For the of the institution President and curators, the key question remains: in a world of overproduction and climate crisis, what does it mean to be modern? What are the needs of a modern society?

“Polish Modernism. A Struggle for Beauty’ contrasts functionalist rigor with postmodern reinterpretations

1956 Muszelka chair by Teresa Kruszewska exemplifying the ingenuity of Polish modernism

REINTERPRETATION OF FILES FOR MILAN DESIGN WEEK 2026

The exhibition rejects a dry chronological narrative of Polish modernism in favor of a conceptual dialogue. With scenography by Zofia Wyganowska Studio, the showcase engages with Torre Velasca’s brutalist heritage. This narrative is enriched by works by famous Polish artists such as Władysław Strzemiński, Edward Krasiński and Katarzyna Kobro and unique loans from the National Museum in Warsaw, including furniture by Jan Kurzątkowski and Bohdan Lachert, and the Muszella chair by Teresa Kruszew.

A special room has the IWP (IID)_Design Repository_2.0 project, where contemporary designers reinterpreted archival images such as meblościanka (wall unit) and amerykanka (convertible armchair). These are not simple reconstructions, but experimental prototypes that illustrate the logic of modernist thought applied to contemporary production standards.

Plucka chair by Maria Chomentowska: 1950s ‘New look’ modernism

The bridge between eras is promoted by works commissioned by designers such as Tomek Rygalik, Maria Jeglińska-Adamczewska, Paweł Olszczyński, Igor Polasiak (Craftica Gallery) and Maja Ganszyniec, who created objects specifically for the exhibition. Selected works by artists whose designs reflect the influence of modernist ideas include Mati Sipiora, Marek Bimer, Aleksandra Hyz, Monika Patuszyńska and Małgorzata Markiewicz. Their works reflect a contemporary understanding of the “struggle for beauty” as a struggle for quality of life in an age of uncertainty.

After Milan Design Week, the exhibition moves to the headquarters of the Visteria Foundation in the Gawroński Villa in Warsaw in September 2026.

Phantom chair, crafted in steel weaving technique by Mati Sipiora