OperaLab - new art think-tankTeatr Wielki – Opera Narodowa, the Polish Grand Theatre – National Opera, is a place where the correspondence, interpenetration and dialogue of arts are perfectly visible. The Theatre and Opera House isa remarkable building. In less than two hundred years, eminent architects shaped an idea into form. The idea was to create the world of arts. The 180th anniversary of the Theatre, falling in the coming year 2013, is an occasion to celebrate the architectural heritage of the Theatre House, first designed by Antonio Corazzi, and then restored and expanded to the present appearance by Bohdan Pniewski.The Grand Theatre and National Opera House is also one of the major elements of the City’s identity, its structure defining the urban space. The aim of the project is to establish a dialogue between the architectural and design heritage and new trends and directions in these fields, and thereby to drive change.A point of departure for the project is the building serving as home to Teatr Wielki – Opera Narodowa, which is closely linked to the City’s identity and remains a strong highlight in its landscape. In the context of dynamic changes that the modern metropolis undergoes as a playground of ceaseless cultural activity, it seems appealing to accentuate the fixed points that allow for its easy identification.Inviting BMW to collaborate on the project was a natural choice given the long-standing commitment of that brand to support artistic initiatives. We see our partnership as an opportunity to create an innovative space for the Polish art.OperaLab is a new interdisciplinary project combining the features of an art gallery and a think tank with the purpose to create space for discussion on the changing face of the City today and the role of art asa discipline of substantial creative potential to influence its current image.OperaLab is a platform designed to drive experiments with forms and ideas, a meeting point for art and technology where dialogue between various visions of a modern city to be built through art is encouraged, and discussion on contemporary design as an effective instrument for transferring ideas fostered. This kind of intellectual circulation will providea broader perspective on the latest artistic phenomena.When asking about the design identity, we ask about its constant change and development. We want to confront the picture of mobility asa defining trait of a modern city with certain fixed points construed as reference points to its identity.The identity of urban space is being built through and owing to art. Design disciplines have become a kind of totem and tool for cultural development. Their city-forming function is coming to prominence so the question about the future of cities and urban growth is actuallya question about the role of art in the construction and constant transformation processes shaping the cityscape.More information:http://operalab.pl