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Maestro Award Establishment

The MAESTRO AWARD established in 2006
acknowledges artistic achievement and promotion
of Polish culture in the spirit of Ignacy Jan
Paderewski (1860-1941), whose talent and erudition
reached thousands, whose personality inspired and
still inspires, and whose patriotism and remarkable
humanitarian views define a caliber of
accomplishment which establishes the criteria for
recipients of this award.

Recipients:

  • Magdalena Abakanowicz, Sculptor; 2006
  • Cristopher Kamyszew, Founder of the Polish Film Festival in America; 2008
  • General Edward L. Rowny, retired U.S.
    Army lieutenant general, former
    ambassador, and chief U.S. arms control
    advisor to five presidents, a dedicated promulgator of Paderewski’s legacy; 2010

Sponsor: Stanley Boduch


Magdalena Abakanowicz about Maestro Award:

At first, one may think that the work of Paderewski and Abakanowicz do not have anything in
common. Still, the "Maestro Award" can be seen as a mystical bridge that connects two artistic
worlds, the world of music and the world of sculpture. This is fascinating. For a composer it is much
easier than it is for a sculptor to reach the audience these days. At the time of electronic inventions,
one does not need to go to a music hall in order to hear the compositions of a genius. Sometimes it
is just enough to buy a CD, turn on the radio or a computer. In the case of sculpture, especially
concerning such a large project like Agora, in order to feel the chill of emotions one must literally
step inside of it to be right in the middle. Sculpture loses with music in the battle for a receiver.
All the more, this particular award, the "Maestro Award," has more meaning to me. (Magdalena
Abakanowicz, Expatpol, 2006)

Magdalena Abakanowicz's Agora at Explore Chicago



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