Przekształcenia znaku „Solidarność” projektu Jerzego Janiszewskiego w twórczości opozycyjnej lat osiemdziesiątych XX w.

Abstract

The ‘Solidarity’ logo designed by Jerzy Janiszewski in 1980 is one of the best -known Polish symbols of all time. In the 1980s, it was widely reproduced on various materials, especially including ‘popular’ works, namely samizdat, such as leaflets, banknotes, post stamps and cards, posters, also pins, or even… towels etc. They were essential information carriers evidencing that the underground organizations were still dynamically operating. This article is mainly an analysis of such ‘popular’ works which contain the ‘Solidarity’ logo. This symbol is set in various contexts: independently, in combinations with slogans or graphics, also as, e.g., editor’s signature etc. Nevertheless, they are not always the exact imitations of the ‘Solidarity’ sign; various factors led to a wide range of modifications (which were unintentional, such as imprecise copies of the letters) and transformations (which were intentional, such as representing the letters as people). This review is enriched with references to several contemporary works using the ‘Solidarity’ logo. They prove how the meanings of the ‘Solidarity’ sign have changed over the years: in the 1980s, it was the symbol of society united beyond different ideologies to fight against the communist regime; today, it is a symbol of groups united under common demands, which, however, might not be approved and shared by every Pole.