Zinar Castle

The following parts of the permanent exhibition in the former power plant present the most important ideas in the work of Tadeusz Kantor.

Tadeusz Kantor (1915-1990) - one of the most important artists and reformers of the 20th century theater - had the idée fixe of creating his own Museum. A place where the achievements of the Cricot 2 Theater will be commemorated, and the photographs, sets and objects from the performances - presented to the general public. At the same time, he wanted Cricoteka to also act as a research institute. Establishing the archive, he wrote about its tasks: "he is the only guarantee of the survival of this work, consolidating it in the social consciousness, and passing it on in a dynamic state to the next generations." , providing documents, reviews, scientific texts, photos, numerous audio and video recordings of materials related to the work of Tadeusz Kantor and the Cricot 2 Theater. The first seat of the Cricoteka was established in 1982 at 5 Kanonicza Street, on the royal road near Wawel. The archive operated on Kanonicza Street until 2014, then Cricoteka moved to its new headquarters on Nadwiślańska Street, leaving only Tadeusz Kantor's studio on Sienna Street at the disposal of visitors.

The current seat of Cricoteka is a modern building with space above and below the old one a submontane power plant (currently serving as the seat of the Cricoteka archives and a theater hall). Inside, the solid was divided into two parts. One is devoted exclusively to the work of Kantor: in subsequent scenes it presents drawings, costumes and objects, recordings of performances, and interviews. In the second one, collective and individual temporary exhibitions are organized by artists who in various ways initiate / establish an artistic dialogue with Kantor's work or were important and inspiring for him (including Christian Boltanski, Oskar Schlemmer, Druga Grupa, Sarkis Zabnyan, Maria Stangret -Cantor, Cricot Theater). Cricoteka also hosts workshops, lectures, screenings of archival performances, as well as contemporary theater shows. The interdisciplinary nature of the institution aims to ensure that Kantor's work is in constant dialogue with contemporary art. In addition, Cricoteka continues to collect, digitize and provide access to archives.