Recently, a group of friends and I had the opportunity to attend an extraordinary lecture at the Polish-Japanese Academy of Information Technology. The lecture featured Professor Henning Wagenbreth, a distinguished artist known for his posters, illustrations, scenography, and multimedia performances, who also serves as the Dean of the Graphics Faculty at UdK in Berlin. The advertisement for the event intrigued me, as I enjoy surrounding myself with creative and open-minded individuals who inspire one another. I convinced my friends to join me for this special experience. Just after getting home from the event, I decided that I need to share my thoughts without futher ado.
From the very beginning, Professor Wagenbreth made an impression of a warm and humorous person. He began by showing his large-format printed posters, which captivated us with their vivid colors, provocative form, attention to detail, and unique, slightly humorous style.
He explained that the title of his lecture, „Travelling Theatre,” references the circuses and theatres of the past that traveled from town to town, entertaining locals. In a similar spirit, he aspires to travel the world, sharing his art and passion.
Wagenbreth described how „theatre” symbolizes the stage and audience to whom he performs. Within just a few minutes, I realized that he finds inspiration everywhere—from people, experiences, and different art forms. He passionately shared his explorations in illustrating books, newspapers, and social issues, as well as his attempts at theatre, short animations, and live music.
I won’t summarize the entire lecture, but I’d like to share my thoughts. The professor was a living example of someone who absorbs art with his whole being, showing the world in his own way and transforming it into a space for creative self-expression. At the end of the meeting, we had the opportunity to ask questions, and I asked him how it feels to combine his work with his passion. He told us he feels incredibly lucky to have steered his life in such a way that he can do what he loves. He emphasized that it’s up to us to decide what we want from life and what our priorities will be—whether that’s money for some or passion for others.
One quote that particularly resonated with me was when Wagenbreth said, „Always forwards, never backwards.” He spoke about this in the context of an actor on stage, who, despite making a mistake, cannot turn back time and can only strive to perform better. The professor then related this to his own life experiences, which I found incredibly inspiring.
In summary, I loved how Wagenbreth showcased his work, explained his inspirations, and shared his thoughts and reflections on creating art.
I hope to one day be as open to art as he is, drawing inspiration from everyday life and seeing it as a theme for my own works, as well as achieving a unique style like Henning Wagenbreth. The lecture provided me with a wealth of thoughts, inspiration, and motivation.
Julia (2A)
