One Work Many Interpretations

On 19 November 2011, MOCAK opened its doors to the students of cultural studies at the Jagiellonian University. The session concerned interpretation of a work of art. After a theoretical introduction, the students had a go at interpreting selected works of art, both in groups and individually.

The encounter was led by representatives of MOCAK’s Collection Department – Iwona Wojnarowicz showed the participants how a work might be interpreted from its creator’s point of view, while Anna Sulich-Liga introduced an art historian’s perspective.

Over 100 students participated. They were divided into four groups, of which two tackled the task of interpreting the work from the artist’s point of view and the other two looked at them wearing the hat of an art historian, the groups then swapping their brief.

At the end of the session, the workshop leaders chose the most interesting descriptions to comment on. The meeting culminated in a discussion which summed up the different perspectives of interpreting a work of art.