The area of ephemeral images

The Area of Ephemeral Images, also known as Mirrors, is a street sculpture by Professor Jan Berdyszak, located in Poznań at Rondo Kaponiera. Unveiled in April 2009, the installation consists of seven objects that function as mirrors set within massive metal structures. The glass elements feature varying degrees of transparency and reflectivity, creating a dynamic interplay of images for passersby, set against the backdrop of intense urban activity in this part of the city. Berdyszak, a professor at the Poznań University of Arts, aims to highlight the transparency, transience, and fleeting nature of urban life through his work. The sculpture does not carry a single definitive meaning but serves as a transformation of urban space, engaging in a dialogue with the surrounding architecture and history of the area, which includes the Imperial District and other notable structures such as the Collegium Iuridicum and the monument to the Victims of June 1956. Berdyszak draws inspiration from ephemeral photography, and his work can be interpreted as a symbol of a pulsating and ever-changing city. Interestingly, the form of the sculpture references the aesthetics of 19th-century industrial structures, further emphasizing the complexity and multi-layered nature of this urban installation.