A captivating new exhibition has just opened at the Zachęta National Gallery of Art in Warsaw, inviting visitors into a space where the boundaries of the human body and systems of control are reimagined through kinetic sculpture.
A captivating new exhibition has just opened at the Zachęta National Gallery of Art in Warsaw, inviting visitors into a space where the boundaries of the human body and systems of control are reimagined through kinetic sculpture.
Titled Pakui Hardware: Thresholds, the show runs from April 25 to July 6, offering a unique blend of science, technology and art. The exhibition features five newly created kinetic sculptures, developed specifically for the gallery’s architecture. Using materials such as stainless steel, glass, silicone and flexible fabrics, the artworks move rhythmically, evoking the presence of self-regulating organisms. These creations not only respond to the space but seem to breathe within it, mirroring bodily functions like expansion, contraction and filtration.
Through this exhibition, the artist duo Pakui Hardware delves into the complex concepts of embodiment, resilience and filtering – both in biological and societal contexts. The term “thresholds” refers to critical points of change, where significant transformations take place within systems or living bodies. The artists explore the fragile interface between the self and external structures, questioning where one ends and the other begins.
Material choice plays a central role in the installation. The duo treats materials as active participants in their artistic dialogue. Elements such as medical-grade stainless steel, prosthetics resembling skin, beeswax evoking traditional healing, and laboratory glassware referencing scientific experimentation contribute to a layered narrative. These substances create a visual and conceptual vocabulary that connects bodily vulnerability with systemic control.
The centerpiece of the exhibition – a dynamic metaphor for a filtering membrane – emphasizes how biological entities defend themselves by distinguishing between internal and foreign elements. Drawing on medical imagery and the materiality of the human body, the works provoke reflection on how bodies adapt and respond to external influences.
An extensive educational program accompanies the show, offering additional insight into the themes and inspirations behind the artworks. It’s an opportunity for audiences to engage more deeply with the philosophical and material questions raised by the exhibition.
Pakui Hardware: Thresholds is on view at Zachęta from April 25 to July 6, 2025. Tickets are priced at 30 PLN (regular), 20 PLN (reduced), 40 PLN (family) and free admission for children under 7.
Zachęta Narodowa Galeria Sztuki
Małachowskiego 3
