Agnieszka RAYSS - „Woman about women“


© Agnieszka RAYSS	© Agnieszka RAYSS

Exhibition is taking place
Art space of K.Donelaičio st. 60
II-IV 8.00-17.00
V 8.00-16.00

The opening of exhibition: 17:30, May 22, 2009 (Friday)

“Woman abou Women”

Cycle “Woman about Women” is constructed of several series of Agnieszka Rayss. In all of them we can see today’s’ women in various everyday life situations.

“Cheers“

Part of a series called, "Cheers" the photographs examines a squad of cheerleaders for the Legia Soccer Club in Warsaw. The cheerleaders are girls between 15-18 who practice a couple of times a week. The fans, according to Sitcomm, a blog that featured the series, would prefer professional cheerleaders and criticize the girls' performance. Nevertheless, officials report fights have decreased considerably since the cheerleaders arrived 3 years ago.

“Fitness and Bodybuilding”

Bodybuilding was one of the first American-like fashions that came to Poland (and other Central Eastern European countries). Later on (in the 80-ties) fitness craze and healthy life-style begun its triumph in the countries behind the iron curtain. Nowadays there are plenty of gym clubs. A healthy look and ideal body is a must. For many people body in shape is the most important goal in life. People for whom sport is a passion become professional body-builders. Surprisingly Poland became an important player in the world of fitness and bodybuilding. Every year contestants win in the world and European championships. All the year round there are a lot of body-building and fitness contests in Poland itself. The contests consist on comparison of body shape, muscle size, body proportions. Contestants have a very restrictive diet in order to build muscles and reduce fat. Steroids are forbidden in bodybuilding but it is said that some contestants avoid this ban. The story was shot during Poland Championship in Fitness and Bodybuilding and other contests of this kind.

„Let‘s meet at McDonalds“

The biggest and the first McDonald‘s restaurant in Poland is located in the very centre of Warsaw. It still is a must stop for provincial visitors to the capital, as well as a popular meeting place for diverse Warsaw dwellers.

About Agnieszka Rayss (1970)

Freelance photojournalist based in Warsaw, Poland. Received her master degree in the History of Art from the Jagiellonian University in Cracow. Participant in the courses of Polish Federation of Photographers. In 2004 selected for the Leadership Training for emerging photojournalists organized by Altemus foundation and VII Photo agency in France. Recipient of the Visegrad Fund scholarship in 2007, Noorderlicht Photofestival 2008 participant. Co-founder of Sputnik Photos International Association of Photojournalists Collective.

Her interests include post-communists societies in their attempt to follow Western patterns, pop-culture aspects of transformation, female and gender issues and sports. She publishes in leading Polish magazines.