John Sgouros
Google
The latest - and probably most debated - addition to the Warsaw cultural scene. It seems that the building itself has stirred emotions, but this is the whole point of architecture and art, I guess. What I like about the building is that it prompts one to stop and look. It challenges conventions and triggers curiosity about what's hidden inside. And the interior is simply amazing, flooded with natural light and space - lots of space. This is important because the building doesn't feel claustrophobic but at the same time the visitor doesn't feel crushed by the sheer size of it. The internal staircases and landings seem to allude to M.C. Escher's drawings, while providing excellent crowd control through parallel access routes to each floor. At the same time, the lines of the internal structures merge into beautiful symmetries, depending on the angle of viewing. It's a masterpiece of aesthetics. The exhibitions are interesting and poignant, often with strong challenging messages. The visitor can relax and reflect in one of the beautiful wood paneled rooms, each with a wide window offering different views of the city, or on the top floor open terrace. In my view, the museum is absolutely worth visiting, both for the exhibition and for the fantastic architecture. After complete destruction and half a century of communist austerity, Warsaw is very much a work in progress, on the urban, cultural and healing levels. This museum and the surrounding square reflect just that.