Per Artem ad Deum Medal for Krzysztof Penderecki, Wincety Kućma and Herder Publishers

Posted on June 10, 2015 by czarmx

Per Artem Ad Deum Medal

The Pontifical Council for Culture has elected this year’s laureates

For a number of years the Per Artem ad Deum Medal has been presented during the International Exhibition of Church Construction, Church Fittings and Furnishings and Religious Art SACROEXPO is held in Targi Kielce This year, the Pontifical Council for Culture has resolved to bestow the Medal upon Professor Krzysztof Penderecki – for constant and always-anew pursuit of God along the paths delineated with the staves and notes …Professor Wincenty Kućma – for continuous confronting the present-day reality through the faith in the Sacrum’s immutable values which help understand life and the German Herder publishing house – for bringing forward the Sacrum’s immutable essence from the matter in order to animate human hearts, souls and minds with it.

This year’s laureates will be resented the medals during the Gala Ceremony on June 22, 2015 year.

Krzysztof Penderecki

Krzysztof Penderecki Not only does Penderecki belong to the group of Polish most eminent and original contemporary composers, but he is also a respected conductor and teacher. Born on 23 November 1933 in Debica to the family which had maintained music traditions. Penderecki wrote his first compositions at the age of 8.He studied at the State Higher School of Music (now the Academy of Music) in Krakow, where he later became a lecturer. Penderecki was also the Academy Rector from 1972 to 1987.Since 1973 he has advanced his international career as a conductor.

The Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima marked his first international success in 1959; Penderecki was granted the UNESCO prize. Although he began his international career as an avant-garde composer, yet it was sacral music that brought Penderecki international fame and recognition(Psalms of David, Utrenja (Matins), Polish Requiem, the Seven Gates of Jerusalem, the Creed and many others).Penderecki has written several hundred compositions – symphonies, chamber music, songs, choral works, operas and film soundtracks. The artist has earned numerous artistic accolades, state, national and papal awards, and doctoral honorary degree of Polish and foreign universities.

Wincenty Kućma

Professor Wincenty Kućma – one of the most prominent contemporary sculptors, medailleurs, sacred buildings’ interior designers. Kućma was born on 25 May 1935 in Zbilutka, in the Kielce region. Kućma studied at the Faculty of Sculpture of the Academy of Fine Arts (ASP) in Krakow. In 1967 he started working at the ASP’s in Spatial Studio at the Department of Visual Arts at the Faculty of Industrial Design. Kućma was the Studio head until 2000.He has earned of over 50 awards and distinctions in sculptural and architectural competitions. Kućma’s artistic work has been recognised with state and papal accolades. His works have been exhibited at over 40 individual exhibitions, 80 group exhibitions; nearly 60 exhibitions were staged abroad.Kućmas works are also put on display in museums. Kućma has also authored patriotic sculptures:”Monument to the Defenders of the Polish Post Office” in Gdansk; “Warsaw Uprising 1944” in Warsaw; “The Home Army Monument” in Kielce. Kućma’s works are also present in New Delhi, Geneva et. al. Over 60 churches in Poland, Russia and Belarus are adorned with Kućma’s religious sculptures and interior design.

Manuel Herder

Herder Publishing House -one of Germany’s oldest family-owned publishing houses was founded in 1798 by Bartholomä Herder, since 1808 Herder has had headquarters in Freiburg im Breisgau.Herder is now headed by Manuel Herder a publisher in the sixth generation. Herder’s books have been translated into Polish, now on offer of Jedność Publishers.

Every year Herder’s offer is expanded to include about 500 new titles in addition to the 3,000 books published in previous year and still available. Herder is ranked among German’s leading publishers of theological, guide and advisory books; they actively support a dialogue between different cultures and traditions. Herder also printed the ground-breaking scientific publication – the famous “Lexikon für Theologie und Kirche” (“Lexicon of Theology and the Church”).The publishing house is also famous for children books and non-fiction literature. For centuries great personages of historic, religious, scientific and literary milieus have published at Herder’s; the famous educator Maria Montessori, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Eli Wesel, Benedict XVI, Dalai Lama at. al.

Per Artem ad Deum 2014

Posted on June 10, 2014 by czarmx

At the SACROEXPO the Swiss architect Mario SACROEXPO Botta and the Polish photographer Adam Bujak have been presented with the Medal of the Pontifical Council for Culture

The Medal winners: Mario Botta and Adam Bujak

The Per Artem ad Deum Medal – Through Arts to God – every year artists, whose works bring people closer to SACRUM are awarded with the Medal. SACROEXPO is the only place in the world where this unique distinction is awarded. This year the Medal has been presented for 10th time. The Pontifical Council for Culture, the body which awards this accolade, was founded 32 years ago upon the initiative of Pope John Paul II. Establishing it, the Holy Father emphasized that “the dialogue of the Church with cultures of the contemporary world constitutes a significant area of activity, in which in the last years of the 20th century the future of the world is being shaped”.

The Medal Chapter presided by His Excellency Fr. Bishop Marian Florczyk, having considered the applications resolved to select the two laureates.

Mario Botta – the Swiss architect for his “…indefatigable quest in the search of the Form – concurrently human and divine, which would reconcile the reality with the Idea …”

Polish photographer Adam Bujak for “…the firmament of human emotions, memories and longings built from frames of Faith, Hope and Love…”

During the ceremony the winners could hardly hide their emotion. The Medals were personally presented by HE Archbishop Henryk Hoser, HE Bishop Marian Florczyk and Targi Kielce President of Board Antoni Mochoń PhD.

There is no solidarity without love

Posted on June 9, 2014 by czarmx

Adam Bujak’s works in exhibition during the fair SACROEXPO

For many years Adam Bujak was St. John Paul II photographer

The Pontifical Council for Culture Per Artem ad Deum Medal Chapter resolved that this year’s medal is bestowed upon Adam Bujak – the photography artist. The other laureate selected from among the four nominees is the Swiss architect Mario Botta. Adam Bujak can boast over 100 photo albums and posters and calendars. For several years Bujak captured and recorded Pope John Paul II life in photographs. This year’s Targi Kielce’s SACROEXPO will be able the showcase for the artist’s works. “There is no solidarity without love” exhibition will be available to the public every day of the fair in the Expo Pavilion C.

The unique character of the artist’s work is best presented in the interview recorded after Adam Bujak had been informed about winning the Medal.

I might have been a worse man

Interview with Adam Bujak – the 2014 Pontifical Council for Culture Per Artem ad Deum Medal Laureate

– What is the significance of the sacred for the arts?

– It has a great significance. I have recorded the sacred half a century. I have published over 130 albums and books in Poland and abroad. At various meetings people have been telling me that in a sense this brings them closer to God, that through my pictures they can see the beauty.

– Which elements of sacrum are the most inspiring for you as a photographer, ?

– I think the ones related to experiences. We have just published a book, me and my son show these beautiful experiences of the canonization. I am thinking about young people in particular. In a sense young people have seemed to move away from the Church , and we have observed the opposite phenomenon. I remember my being young, at that time these were mainly the elderly who would coma to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, now the vast of visitors are young people. They are attracted with the sacrum, they find it really crucial. We record all these solemn moments, the moments’ sense is clearly imprinted on their faces.

– What did you feel on receiving the information the Pontifical Council for Culture Medal?

– I found it a wonderful thing. It is like a confirmation of what I have been questing, i.e. sacrum reinforcement. The Vatican found it proper too. This is a gratitude for the work I have done.

– Which of the recent events do you think has influenced the image of sacred art and culture most strongly?

– I think all the events associated with John Paul II, but also ones related to Pope Benedict and Pope Francis. The magnitude of these great characters is thus demonstrated. When you look at photographs you see young people’s head rising up. This is amazing. Many times I been really close to the Pope. I remember John Paul II celebrating the Holy Mass in Toronto, there were hundreds of thousands of young girls and boys in front of the altar . Behind us there was Lake Ontario; and although it was unbearably hot – 28 degrees there were no people bathing in the lake. Everyone was carefully looking at “the grandpa”, the Holy Father John Paul II. They had all come to meet him, to learn more about Christ, about faith, about the good He has presented to us.

– How has John Paul II teaching and close contact with the Pope your photographic art?

– Certainly they must have had influence, but I do not look at the sheer art of photography, I look at what he has given me, how he influenced me. I might have been a worse man We know that everyone is a sinner, but the Pope guarded us against evil. It is very important to me. Pope guarded us against gender. We are said to be intolerant. People who are trying to devastate a young man, who intend to teach about sex when kids are only four years old are truly intolerant . These things I cannot accept. John Paul II was and Pope Francis is now guarding us against everything the iffy issues. They have been such a question mark. We ask ourselves where we are heading to.

Thank you for the interview.
Justyna Wrona, Radio Em.