A Spatial History of Independent Art Spaces in Krakow from the 1970s to 2019

Independent art spaces not only play an important role in exploring frontiers the visual arts but are often also pioneers discovering new artistic territories within cities. Due to their subordinate position field of art, they occupy marginal terms location urban structure and/or physical visibility built environment. Their outside established cores reflects, at same time, weaker economic standing and wish distinguish themselves from previous generations cultural producers. Post-socialist cities offer opportunity study spatial history independent under different political systems. In this paper, I have used a detailed database private galleries period 1970s 2019 content analysis press internet texts about them uncover stages development venues Krakow, Poland, example post-socialist city with rich heritage. They included periods dispersion wider inner-city followed by cycles concentration rather neglected quarters that were emerging as epicentres alternative life dissipate due unfavourable conditions appearance next artists who wanted mark distinctive presence both world space. discuss how using usually marginal, temporary fluid sites practices accumulation symbolic capital art.