FEATURE ITEM

 

Prepared and Distributed by the Polonia Media Network

 

POL-AM ARTIST BROUGHT

CHRISTMAS TO CHINA

 

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (PMN)—A traditional Polish folk art tradition took China by storm this Christmas, thanks to the work of Pittsburgh based artist David Motak.

 

The szopka, an ancient holiday folk art tradition from Poland received rave reviews in Hong Kong, thanks to the work of artist David Motak, one of the world’s leading experts on the “szopka” [Krakow Christmas crèche]. Originally used as Christmas puppet theaters in the Polish city of Krakow, the whimsically ornate structures made big headlines in China at one of Hong Kong's major retail developments, attracting large crowds from within the former British colony, as well as curious visitors from China’s mainland.

 

Using the traditional Polish art as a new Christmas symbol was the brainchild of Betake Marketing (HK) Limited, one of Hong Kong’s leading special event marketing firms. When Sun Hung Kai Properties, a major Hong Kong retail developer, was looking for a strategy to promote its 2011 Christmas shopping season at their upscale Landmark North shopping mall, they turned to Betake owners Alex and Bonnie Lam, asking the marketing duo to create a dynamic new symbol of Christmas, the second most popular official holiday in Hong Kong. The Lams and their staff were tasked to develop a campaign unlike any other in the city. The objective, to create a distinctive and unique Christmas experience that would set Landmark North apart from its retail competitors, would require Betake to call upon the services of Polish American artist and graphic designer, David Motak.

 

A leading authority and practitioner of the szopka art from, a Polish Christmas tradition that Motak is promoting worldwide, the Pittsburgh based artist has produced student workshops around the country and commission pieces for several clients nationwide. “The Hong Kong proposal was an opportunity to take this project global and this is the first time that the szopka art form as been shown in Asia,” notes the artist who was the first foreigner and first American to enter the annual Szopka Competition in Krakow, Poland, in 2010, receiving a coveted Special Award for Artistic Merit.

 

The szopka art form, which are glittering, meticulously handcrafted structures varying in size from several inches to several feet, incorporate light weight materials, such as wood, cardboard and foil paper as they were originally carried along Krakow streets by carolers. “The Chinese see the szopka as something less religious than as a symbol of joy and happiness, a symbol of a festive season,” the artist observes.

 

A third generation Polish American, Motak is reviving the art form in the United States, where it was imported to such industrial centers in the late 1800s by Polish immigrants such as Motak’s grandparents. 

 

Motak is the first person to develop a teaching methodology for the Polish folk art which is not formally taught in Poland. He is the world’s leading szopka expert having researched the tradition and apprenticed in Krakow, where he lived and attended university. In 2003, Motak and partner John Samuels established the Krakow Crèche Workshop, an educational endeavor to promote the szopka.

 

Since that time, over 800 students have studied szopka building under Motak’s tutelage, including workshops for inner city school children sponsored by the Polish Embassy in Washington, D. C., as well as workshops in numerous other locations throughout the United States. The Pittsburgh artist has also exhibited his work at various major art galleries, such as New York’s prestigious Gagosian Gallery; his work is also in private collections. In addition to his work as an artist and designer, Motak also serves as Director of Communications for the Polish Falcons of America, a large ethnic benefit fraternal organization headquartered in Pittsburgh.

 

Prior to his departure for Hong Kong, Motak (at right of szopka) was honored for his cultural contributions to Western Pennsylvania with a special proclamation by the Pittsburgh City Council (at right) on Thursday, November 10, which was proclaimed “David Motak Day” in the City of Pittsburgh. “This designation greatly impressed the folks in Hong Kong,” notes Motak, who adds that photo of the City Council presentation was prominently included in the Hong Kong exhibition.

 

“The Chinese are fascinated by the szopka art form and particularly by the fact that it is being promoted by an American.” Motak notes that his contacts at Betake Marketing have informed him that the exhibition is drawing large crowds. The exhibition, which has been extensively covered in the Chinese media, continued until January 5, 2012.

 

In developing their strategy for Hong Kong’s Landmark North shopping gallery, Betake Marketing was forced to think “out of the box.” “After Chinese New Year, Christmas is the second most popular holiday in Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong consumer is very sophisticated,” notes Betake Marketing’s Senior Account Manager Patrick Tam. “After reaching Christmas traditions from around the world, we realized that the szopka is a Christmas tradition relatively unknown outside of Poland and certainly new to Hong Kong.”

 

The Lams and their staff concluded that a display of szopki [plural of szopka] would provide a perfect compliment for their client’s image of being an exclusive and unique upscale shopping experience. They then presented a proposal to Landmark North’s owners at Sun Hung Kai Properties to bring the Polish American artist and his works to Hong Kong. “Mr. Motak has proven to be the only szopka artist who could assist us with this major undertaking,” Tam adds. “Most szopka artists in Krakow create only one piece per year and do not maintain significant inventories of their work. In addition to being a producing artist, as an educator, Motak is also sensitive to promoting the art form to a diverse audience which has been a tremendous asset in bringing the tradition to China.” (He is pictured at left with aszopka at the store.)

 

Because of Hong Kong’s density, shopping complexes serve the dual role of functioning both as retail centers as well as cultural and social centers. “It is not unusual for Hong Kong shopping malls to feature exhibits of prominent artists and performances by leading talent,” notes Alex Lam. “Last year, at Landmark North we featured the works of Andy Warhol and his nephew James Warhol, a well known illustrator. Hong Kong residents are among the most sophisticated in the world. They are discerning and appreciate fine art. An exhibition of szopka art is a perfect opportunity to attract a wide audience.”

 

Consequently, Sun Hung Kai Properties employs the strategy of three “e”s. According to Sun Hung's Senior Promotions Manager Eric Lau, this translates as “education, enlightenment and entertainment," a novel philosophy in any retail environment and one which stimulates the developer to import the best artistic and cultural talent to their facilities.

 

Located in the extreme north of the city, the Landmark North shopping complex is in close proximity to the main crossing point from Mainland China and one of the first shopping stops for Mainland visitors. As one of Hong Kong’s trendiest, swankiest shopping malls, Landmark North offers the largest number of chic, international boutiques in the region. In a city known for its excellent retail centers it has become an irresistible lure to mainland shoppers whose consumer appetite, thanks to China’s robust economy, has grown heartily in recent years.

 

As part of the exhibition, the Polish American artist was asked to create a special szopka integrating Hong Kong design elements. Since szopka pieces incorporate architectural features from various Krakow buildings, Motak fashioned a piece that includes a replica of Hong Kong’s famous clock tower, one of the city’s most distinctive landmarks. In addition to fully functioning clocks, the szopka also features mechanical figures, including a Chinese festival dragon. The electrified and lighted work of art is one of three motorized pieces in the exhibition.

 

Prior to shipment to Hong Kong, the specially commissioned piece was officially unveiled at the special ceremony at the City of Pittsburgh City Council Chambers on November 10, 2011, when the artist was honored with a special proclamation recognizing his cultural contributions to the city and in serving as one of the city’s cultural ambassadors.

 

For the Landmark North exhibition, the Betake’s designers created a special installation of nine display cases to exhibit 14 works by Motak. The exhibition also includes a szopka built by Motak's students, Ron and Ernestine Jeroski of North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, as well as two representative pieces by Polish szopka artists. As a centerpiece for the installation, the Betake design team constructed a twenty foot version of a Polish szopka complete with stage that serves as the backdrop for performances and special holiday events which Betake Marketing is developing for the retail center.

 

Included among the kick-off events on November 23 was the appearance of Taiwanese celebrity actress, film star and fashion model Sonia Sui, who was educated in Poland. The opening ceremony and ribbon cutting was also attended by the Honorable Mariusz Boguszewski, Deputy Consul General for the Republic of Poland in Hong Kong.

 

For more information on the Krakow Crèche Workshop and a slide show featuring the Hong Kong szopka exhibit, visit http://www.cracowcrafts.com.