Przejście

The sculpture "Przejście" (meaning "Passage" or "Transition") by Jerzy Kalina is one of the most evocative and symbolically charged public art installations in Poland. Originally created as a temporary piece in Warsaw in 1977, it was installed at the intersection of Świętokrzyska and Mazowiecka Streets, where it appeared overnight between December 12 and 13—coinciding with the anniversary of the introduction of martial law in Poland. The installation consists of 14 life-size bronze figures, seven on each side of the street. On one side, the figures are depicted descending into the pavement, gradually disappearing underground, while on the opposite side, seven figures re-emerge, rising back to the surface. This striking visual metaphor captures the sudden disappearance and reappearance of ordinary citizens, evoking themes of oppression, resilience, and the cyclical nature of history.

The sculpture is often interpreted as a prophetic commentary on the political repression of the time, particularly the martial law imposed in 1981, which saw thousands of Poles vanish from public life, arrested or forced into hiding. Kalina’s work, though initially created for a television program, took on a deeper, almost oracular significance in retrospect, resonating with the collective memory of a nation under authoritarian rule. The figures, cast in bronze, are deliberately anonymous, representing the everyman and underscoring the universality of their experience. The installation was later recreated in Wrocław in 2005, where it stands today at the intersection of Piłsudskiego and Świdnicka Streets, serving as a powerful reminder of Poland’s turbulent past and the enduring spirit of its people.

The simplicity and realism of the figures, combined with their dramatic placement, create a haunting and immersive experience for viewers. The sculpture invites reflection on the fragility of freedom, the passage of time, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Its enduring impact lies in its ability to transform an everyday urban space into a site of historical memory and contemplation, making "Przejście" not only a work of art but also a poignant monument to the anonymous individuals who lived through—and resisted—oppression.