This catalog serves as both a guide and a space for reflection. Rooted in the unique history of the Muzeum Sztuki in Łódź—a collection shaped by the radical ideas of the avant-garde and expanded through decades of engagement with socially and conceptually driven art. Spanning more than a century, the publication highlights moments when art challenged established ways of seeing and thinking. Echoing John Berger’s seminal insights, it encourages readers to question what it means to look—and to understand that every act of seeing is shaped by context, history, and intention. The catalog will include descriptions of the works featured in the exhibition, three critical essays, and reproductions of selected artworks.

Mieke Bal is a cultural theorist, critic, and video artist specializing in visual culture and narration. Łukasz Zaremba is a cultural theorist and translator focusing on visual culture and media.