In one image, Will Smith jigs around in highland costume while grinning villagers bop to Disco Polo; in another, Polish President Andrzej Duda can be seen rocking a gold chain as he chills with Snoop Dogg — reimagining Polish culture, history and politics through the lens of AI, an Insta account has become a cult sensation after premiering last year.
Already amassing in excess of 70,000 followers, Sztuczna Polska has won a devoted following for its cheeky view of Poland’s heritage and customs.
Starting out by presenting Polish fairytale characters and cartoon heroes as Pixar-style animations, the account experienced its first viral flush a couple of months later during communion season. “I had read stories about kids being chauffeured to their communion in limousines, so I thought it would be fun to parody that by giving typical communion scenes a blingy, gangster vibe,” says Jacek Jabłoński, the page’s creator.
Starting out by presenting Polish fairytale characters and cartoon heroes as Pixar-style animations, the account experienced its first viral flush a couple of months later during communion season. “I had read stories about kids being chauffeured to their communion in limousines, so I thought it would be fun to parody that by giving typical communion scenes a blingy, gangster vibe,” says Jacek Jabłoński, the page’s creator.
A photographer and graphic designer in his day job, Jabłoński describes his AI hobby as “a graphic experiment” that allows him to explore everything that “amuses, irritates and inspires” him in Poland.
Politics, of course, features highly. In the months leading up to last year’s election, a series of political heavyweights were presented in their Spiderman pajamas and zip-up onesies. Jabłoński, though, is keen to stress his neutrality: “Even when I create images of people I don’t personally support, I always try to make them look dignified,” he says.
Politics, of course, features highly. In the months leading up to last year’s election, a series of political heavyweights were presented in their Spiderman pajamas and zip-up onesies. Jabłoński, though, is keen to stress his neutrality: “Even when I create images of people I don’t personally support, I always try to make them look dignified,” he says.
Always relevant to the times, Jabłoński’s posts are often pegged around key moments in the Polish calendar. Easter, for instance, saw the likes of Darth Vader and Kim Jong Un posing in church aisles with baskets of painted eggs. Meanwhile, tłusty czwartek — or donut day as it’s more commonly known by foreigners — saw famous paintings adorned with donuts.
In Jabłoński’s eyes, everything and anything related to Poland is fair game. Jan Matejko’s epic painting of the court jester, Stańczyk, is transformed into a slouching, tracksuit-clad male. Jarosław Kaczyński is seen morphing into Home Alone’s Kevin McCallister, while the architect of the modern Polish state, Józef Piłsudski, is presented taking a selfie.
In Jabłoński’s eyes, everything and anything related to Poland is fair game. Jan Matejko’s epic painting of the court jester, Stańczyk, is transformed into a slouching, tracksuit-clad male. Jarosław Kaczyński is seen morphing into Home Alone’s Kevin McCallister, while the architect of the modern Polish state, Józef Piłsudski, is presented taking a selfie.
Jabłoński’s sensitive treatment of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising has also won praise. Taking iconic images from the insurgency, Jabłoński then touched them up so that they would resemble “modern smartphone photos.”
“I didn’t go for historical accuracy,” says Jabłoński, “instead I wanted the photos to feel like they’d just been taken a moment ago.”
“I didn’t go for historical accuracy,” says Jabłoński, “instead I wanted the photos to feel like they’d just been taken a moment ago.”
Departing from history, his more topical images feature a rich dose of satire. In recognition of the rampant profiteering associated with the summer, tourist landmarks such as the Wieliczka Salt Mines, Malbork Castle and the Palace of Culture and Science are seen richly ribboned with garish waterslides.
Poland’s unrelenting appetite for big brands and chain stores is also covered. In one post titled Discount Wars, we see tanks and missiles painted in the colors of Biedronka and Lidl.
Poland’s unrelenting appetite for big brands and chain stores is also covered. In one post titled Discount Wars, we see tanks and missiles painted in the colors of Biedronka and Lidl.
Given the recent heatwave, perhaps most relevant of all is Jabłoński’s scrutiny of the Baltic coast. One image shows a man wading from the sea submerged under seaweed. In another, a devil-costumed figure stands on a congested beach holding a sign stamped with the word ‘Hel’. Much like the rest of his output, it’s wry, witty and well-observed.
Jabłoński’s work has earned him a raft of admirers. “I’m surprised how quickly the account took off,” he says, “but I hope that’s because people see my AI art as being a little different. I didn’t just want pretty pictures, I wanted to tell a story that could be seen as something of a social commentary.” Job done.
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