“On the comfortable seat by the bank of the river a passing dark blue tram over the bridge, a watcher will spot the silhouettes moving inside the carriage in the fading golden light as the sun sets. Tall grass under the grey sky seems to conceal the source. Swans move gently through the richness of colour in the surrounding nature; sometimes a child appears, applauding the swan as if celebrating the pulse of life. The monument has carried its intimacy through the ages. Now, it is embraced by the houses in the valley, over which it once stood alone and strong.”

“At every stop, I pause and rediscover. I see my own reflection, my introspection, my face, and so much more in the current of the river, whether at its source, in the forest, in its wild rapids, or where it finally matures into something vast and majestic. The journey had turned to sound and colour and in motion, they form a story. I am a vessel, surrendered to the phenomenon that I’ve experienced and interpreted from within.“ — Krzysztof Augustyn

Rivers is an intermedia exhibition that traces the powerful, transformative journey of rivers through music, animation, and visual art. The work unfolds as a narrative that reflects both the changing nature of rivers and their role in shaping communities.

Across five Acts, the river’s story emerges: from youthful beginnings, life-giving presence to wild rapids and mature serenity. Animated paintings and an original score for piano and symphony flow together to create a story, an immersive sensory experience, each phase echoing the rhythms and transformations of the river. The final Act culminates in a live piano performance accompanied by recorded footage of a local river, grounding the work in the cultural and historical fabric of the region.

Complementing these moving images with music, oil paintings and prints of handmade digital collages extend the journey into a more tactile form, bridging the flow of water with the stillness of paint. Rivers is an invitation to reflect on how waterways shape landscapes, sustain life, and carry the stories of the communities that grow along their banks.