Should the Book Art Museum be incorporated into the Muzeum Sztuki in Łódź?

No. In our view the Book Art Museum in Łódź should remain independent. We oppose its incorporation into the Muzeum Sztuki because we want to protect the continuity of the museum’s authorial concept, the integrity of the workshop, and the influence of the people associated with its founding and activities on its future.
This is the position of the initiative for the defense of BAM. Below we present our justification and the solutions we expect.

BAM grew up around its own concept

The Book Art Museum grew out of the activities of Jadwiga and Janusz Tryzno and the Correspondance des Arts community. Its history includes the making of artists’ books, the rescue of printing equipment, the development of the workshop and collaboration with artists.
The Correspondance des Arts Foundation established the museum in 1993. For the first three decades a model was developed that combined collecting, creation, education and technological practice. It is precisely this concept that we want to protect. It should be the point of reference when assessing any organizational change.

The whole workshop must be protected

A book, a matrix and a printing press have value as historical objects. In an operating workshop they also form an interconnected system of tools, knowledge and skills.
Preserving it requires appropriate rooms and infrastructure, conservation and the possibility of safe use of the machines, materials and funds for activities, people with specialist skills, and the means to teach subsequent generations. Simply taking over responsibility for storing the collections does not guarantee the preservation of these functions.

Independence allows responsibility to focus on BAM’s mission

We defend independence because we want program, funding and decisions concerning the workshop to be concentrated on the needs of the Book Art Museum.
Inclusion into a larger structure raises questions about the place of this mission among other tasks. Who will set priorities? Who will ensure continuity of workshop work? How will the participation of the community that built the museum be protected?
These are risks that require assessment. We do not present them as proof that every museum branch must lose its character. However, we believe that the independence of BAM should be a value to be protected, and that its removal would require particularly strong justification.

The renovation requires its own plan

The future of the historic headquarters should be discussed through concrete tasks: documentation, financing, work schedule, protection of the collections and the organization of activities during the renovation. A mere change of organizational structure does not answer these questions.
We expect a plan that will also specify where and to what extent workshops can be run and skills passed on during construction work. The goal should be to preserve as much continuity of activity as possible.

Cooperation can strengthen an independent museum

BAM can cooperate with the Muzeum Sztuki on exhibitions, research, education, promotion and artistic projects. Joint undertakings should be evaluated according to their results. Partnership can broaden the audience and possibilities for action while preserving the separate missions of both institutions. We support such cooperation.

Our proposal for BAM

We call for:

1. Preservation of the museum’s independence, name and recognisable identity.
2. Stable funding for its specialist tasks.
3. A realistic schedule for the renovation of the historic headquarters.
4. Protection of the integrity of the collections and the workshop.
5. Conditions for safe work on historic machines.
6. A programme for passing on knowledge and skills.
7. Participation of the founding community and practitioners in shaping the programme.
8. Public information about decisions and their justification.

Therefore we answer: The Book Art Museum should not be incorporated into the Muzeum Sztuki in Łódź. It should be given the conditions to develop as an independent, living museum.

Frequently asked questions

Does opposition to incorporation mean opposition to cooperation with the Muzeum Sztuki?
No. We support curatorial, research and educational cooperation. The objection concerns only the incorporation of BAM and the loss of its independence.
Why is BAM’s independence important?
In our view it helps protect the museum’s distinct mission, its programme and the needs of the workshop. It also makes it easier to identify who is responsible for carrying out these tasks.
What does a living museum mean in BAM’s case?
It is a model that combines the preservation of collections with artistic and technological practice. It includes work with historic machines, the making of books and the passing on of knowledge about printing, typography and bookbinding.
Is storing the machines enough to preserve BAM’s heritage?
Storage protects the objects, but preserving a living workshop also requires people, skills, infrastructure and opportunities for work. That is why we demand protection of the entire set of these values.
Does incorporation automatically mean the destruction of the museum?
This cannot be presented as a foregone conclusion. Our opposition stems from an assessment of the risks to BAM’s independence and the continuity of its concept, and from the conviction that the museum should receive support as a separate institution.
What alternative do opponents of incorporation propose?
Preservation of an independent BAM, stable funding, renovation of the historic headquarters and a programme to ensure workshop continuity. Cooperation with other institutions should support these goals.