The poor Musk - 2025
Eastern Europe, the former communist bloc, also took part in the space race during the Cold War. Poland sent its sole cosmonaut, Mirosław Hermaszewski, into space at the time. Despite the difficult years of dependence on Moscow, this was still a significant achievement. Now, several decades after those bold early explorations, private companies have begun to dominate this niche market – led by controversial billionaires such as Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Richard Branson.
Eastern Europe, the former communist bloc, also took part in the space race during the Cold War. Poland sent its sole cosmonaut, Mirosław Hermaszewski, into space at the time. Despite the difficult years of dependence on Moscow, this was still a significant achievement. Now, several decades after those bold early explorations, private companies have begun to dominate this niche market – led by controversial billionaires such as Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Richard Branson.
At the same time, alongside these futuristic visions that are becoming reality at an astonishing pace, we see a return to craftsmanship, nature, and even a retreat from Enlightenment ideals. Increasingly, we value the work of human rather than robotic hands, and the slow, small-batch production of objects. It is in this context that the installation was created – one that playfully comments on the understandable rush toward the future, symbolized by increasingly sophisticated humanoid robots. Alongside the revolutionary machines from Boston Dynamics stands the eccentric Musk, now trying to bring his electronic substitute – Optimus – into our homes.
The installation The Poor Musk is both a reflection and a commentary, created by a Polish designer and artist – from a country that still strives to catch up with Western innovations, yet does so without complexes and with notable success. At the same time, it remains rooted in its Slavic identity, folk traditions, and craftsmanship. A response to the Western world’s rapid technological leap may, of course, be an attempt to keep pace – as exemplified by Poland’s second astronaut (no longer a “cosmonaut”), Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski. Or it may be a step back: looking with humor at the bold visions of mavericks like Elon Musk.
The exhibition consists of three objects. The central piece is a wooden robot, built from balusters and partially upholstered – a figure inspired by Tesla’s humanoid Optimus. Next to it stands a stool, further ridiculing this futuristic vision – here, part of the robot’s torso becomes a simple seat. And finally, there is a rocket – a scale model of one of Elon Musk’s flagship innovations.