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HISTORY OF THE FIRM
The idea of calling into being Pracownie Sztuk Plastycznych (Visual Arts Studio) [literally Plastic Arts Ateliers. The historic term "plastic arts" has evolved, and is being widely used in Poland to designate all manner of visual arts - translator's note] came up in the late 1940s, reflecting the desire of integrating the visual artists community around projects viewed as key priorities for the country rebuilding itself from war-time ravages.
This at the same time was a special form of extensive state patronage over artists involved in all visual disciplines. The firm was set up by decision of the Minister of Culture and Arts on December 22, 1949, originally under the name Państwowe Przedsiębiorstwo Robót Dekoracyjnych [State Enterprise for Decorative Works]. Two years later it was renamed Visual Arts Studio.
The head offices of PSP Central Board were housed in the Zamoyskis Palace at Foksal Street in Warsaw. The Foundation Charter of the firm provided a free hand in setting up regional branches in larger cities - originally there were 17 branches in all the provincial capitals, and, following changes of the country's administrative division in mid-seventies, the number of branches, sub-branches and field offices was increased to 49. The largest Warsaw Branch, located at No. 9 Karmelicka Street and No. 10 Finlandzka Street had ateliers of: interior decoration, graphic arts, visual information and decoration, exhibiting, conservation of art works, sculpture, stone-working, ceramics, painting, photography, assorted forms, packaging and Experimental Graphics Print Shop.
PSP played an immense role in shaping the post-war visual appearance of the country. Novel architectural designs of public facilities saw the light of day under its aegis. These included theatre buildings, museums, railway stations, stadiums. Monuments and busts were erected to decorate our streets and interiors of numerous institutions, museums and cultural facilities. Prestige medals, metal designs, masterpieces of printing art and graphic logos which have left a lasting imprint on the national scenes were created.
Privatisation of the state enterprise, following the change of the country's economic and political system, proved to be the only way for preserving the firm's brand and the opportunity for continuing all that was best in its earlier history. In 1993 staff of the Warsaw Branch set up a company which in a matter of five years, now under the name of Visual Arts Studio, limited liability company, has reclaimed its earlier position on the market.
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
It would be difficult to list all the achievements of our firm during the more than 50 years of its operation. Following are just the highlights.
Monumental sculpture - monuments and busts:
Glory to Sappers, Ignacy Paderewski, George Washington, Juliusz Słowacki, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński, Kościuszko Division, Nike, Fallen Undefeated, the Katyń Monument (by J. Pastwa and A.Myjak), Stanisław Moniuszko, Wincenty Witos, , Wojciecha Bogusławski (in Warsaw), Polish Aviation in Warka, Mikołaj Kopernik in Frombork, Defenders of the Redoubt in Mława, Władysław Broniewski in Płock, First Polish Army at Sandau, Brotherhood in Arms ar Ryazan, Deed of Polish Soldier at Narvik, Frederic Chopin in London and Tokyo, Mikołaj Kopernik in USA, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia and Mongolia.
Miniature sculpture and medals:
Medals in Faces of Polish Theatre series, on the hundredth birth anniversary of Karol Szymanowski , 85th anniversary of the National Philharmonic, Business Prize of the President of the Republic, statues: Golden Megaphone, Eko Media Forum, Academy of Brands, Nationale Nederlanden, Little Insurgent at the Barbican in Warsaw.
Commemorative plaques:
Commemorative plaque on Piłsudski Square in Warsaw, tablets on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw, tablets commemorating Józef Piłsudski, General de Gaulle, Home Army insurgents.
Interior decoration:
Polish Embassy in Brazil, Central Railway Station in Warsaw, Main Station in Katowice, Sports Arena in Katowice, Warsaw Operetta, Medical Polyclinic in Warsaw, elements of interiors and furnishings of Polish Parliament buildings, Mały Theatre, Powszechny Theatre in Warsaw, Paged Showrooms in Vienna, Gdańsk University.
Permanent architectural decorations:
Wall frescos, mosaics, ceiling decorations - front wall of the Child?s Health Centre in Międzylesie, Hungarian Institute in Warsaw, Grand Hall of the M. Kopernik University in Toruń, National Philharmonic Hall in Warsaw, Polish Embassy in Moscow.
Special event decorations:
PSP had the monopoly on doing all monumental decorations, huge mass events organised in open spaces, such as open-air performances, front wall decorations, etc. The visual treatment covered gigantic spaces of cities, decorated on the occasion of state observances, anniversaries, festivals.
Systems of visual identification and company logos:
National Library, Child's Health Centre in Międzylesie, CPN, Centrum Department Stores in Warsaw, Central Railway Station in Warsaw, FSO, Mostostal Export, Patpol-Patent Office, PKO, PLL LOT, Polfilm, SPATIF, Office Supplies Works in Pruszków.
Printing and publications:
This above all relates to the Polish school of diplomatic printed matter, special printed cards (such as for the visit of Pope John Paul II), prints on special hand-formed paper (for the International Chopin Competition), limited number sophisticated typographical jewels for book afficionados (such as poetry tomes of C.K.Norwid, K.K.Baczyński).
Exhibitions:
Numerous national exhibitions for the Foreign Office, commercial exposition for the world travel fair commissioned by Orbis, PLL LOT, Polska Żegluga Bałtycka, exhibitions: Auschwitz at the UN New York headquarters, Polish contemporary painting in Montreal, Polish posters in France, Chopin Exhibition in Czechoslovakia, Polish commercial poster in Kiev, Polish textiles and books in Cuba, or the exhibition stands for Metronex and Rank Xerox at all major trade fairs in Europe. As Polish leader in exhibition structures for the past four years PSP has acted as general contractor for interior arrangement during events organised by International Fair Centre, International Fairs Poland, Polish Fuels Chamber, Łódź International Fair, Foundation of Polish Promotion Logo. In the year 2000 PSP has designed and built fair stands with a total space of more than 30 000 sq.m. net.
For our many years of hard work and achievements we have received numerous awards
Most valuable to us are:
Prestigious diploma "For outstanding achievements and valuable contribution to culture of Polish typography" and Gold Medals at IBA exhibitions in Leipzig for the exceptional class book publications,
"Fair Play Enterprise" certificate in 1998 and Certificate with Special Esteem in 1999 awarded by the Institute of Democracy and Private Enterprise Studies,
Certificate confirming recognition of PSP contribution to the Programme for Reinstating the Role and Meaning of Brands and Trade Marks in Poland MARKA-MARKOM, honouring with the title of Friend of Foundation and membership in Council of Friends of Promocja Polska Marka-Markom Foundation awarded by the Minister of Economy and invitation to become one of 31founding firms of the Academy of Brands,
Honorary award Outstanding Polish Exporter bestowed by Rynki Zagraniczne journal and the Minister of Economy,
Award Best Among Friends given by Interservice company of Łód.
We are also a founding member of Polish Trade Fair Corporation and member of Warsaw Trade Fair Corporation. We have significant achievements in comprehensive organisation an servicing of fairs, exhibitions, outdoor and mass events, congresses, symposia and conferences. For eight years we have been ranked by the Polish Trade Fair Corporation as the leader and number one in trade fair arrangements.
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