A new museum and the impermanent canon. Four takes on the MSN collection

This catalog accompanies the first exhibition held in the new building of the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw and doubles as a book that delves into the function and mission of contemporary art museums both in Poland and globally during these uncertain times. The curators of "The Impermanent: Four Takes on the Collection" articulate their perspectives through essays, underlining the idea that art and its interactions offer fresh insights and shape our understanding of the world. The exhibition is crafted around the dynamic between engagement and independence, as well as the contrast between mainstream, uplifting art and affective art that develops its distinct realities and languages. Distinguished scholars, critics, and curators contribute reflections on the essence of museums. Professor Madina Tlostanova examines the possible decolonization of post-socialist societies; Professor Krzysztof Pomian revisits the link between modern art and democracy; and Laura Raicovich illustrates the integral part that art institutions play in times of crucial crises, using case studies. The volume concludes with two dialogues: one featuring Claire Bishop, Joanna Mytkowska, and Jakub Gawkowski discussing radical museology and cultural conflicts in Poland and the US; the other includes a discussion between Swiss scholars and curators Fredi Fischli and Niels Olsen with Tomasz Fudala and Natalia Sielewicz, focusing on the evolving mission of museums today.