Record-breaking auction for "Thirsty for Beauty." Warsaw once again a stage for art and generosity
October 30, 2025
charity auction took place in Warsaw, in the monumental spaces of the National Museum. "Thirsty for Beauty" – an event that has for years united the worlds of culture, art, and philanthropy. On October 27th, collectors, artists, and patrons gathered over an elegant dinner to bid on exceptional light objects by Marek Bimer, creatively crafted by some of Poland's most distinguished artists. The auction's results exceeded the organizers' expectations – all the works found buyers, and the total sale amount reached a record PLN 816,000, which will be used to develop and preserve the National Museum in Warsaw's contemporary art collection.
initiative "Spragnieni Piękna" is more than just an auction – it's a modern patronage initiative aimed at building a community around cultural institutions and supporting their activities through social engagement. The project, implemented by the Association of Friends of the National Museum in Warsaw in collaboration with DESA Unicum, has been bringing together individuals for a decade who see art as a way to express their values and sensibilities. This year's edition was preceded by an open vernissage at DESA Unicum, where art lovers could take a closer look at Bimer's sculptural lamps – objects that combine light, form, and symbolism.
This year, the artists participating in the project created an incredibly diverse dialogue between light and matter. Among the artists were Paweł Althamer, Anna Barlik, Monika Falkus, Maurycy Gomulicki, Tomasz Górnicki, Ida Karkoszka, Olga Mokrzycka, NeSpoon, Monika Patuszyńska, Olga Wolniak, Xawery Wolski, Olga Tokarczuk, and Joanna Concejo. Also up for auction was a painting by Marta Nadolle, which, like Bimer's light sculptures, had found its way into private collectors. Each work, unique in its form, combined artistic courage with an emotional message – a tribute to the light that has inspired artists for centuries.
During the gala dinner in the Main Building of the National Museum in Warsaw, amidst discussions about art and beauty, the highest donations in the history of this series were made. As Paweł Kastory, president of the Association of Friends of the National Museum in Warsaw, emphasized, "the generosity of our guests and friends allows us to pursue ambitious cultural projects and inspire others to action." These words perfectly capture the spirit of the evening – combining passion with responsibility for our shared heritage.
The Association of Friends of the National Museum in Warsaw, founded over a century ago, continues the tradition of patronage in a modern form. Since 2015, it has been building a community of "Thirsty for Beauty," bringing together artists, collectors, and art lovers around the idea of supporting Polish cultural institutions. The main partner of this year's dinner was Pagani of Warsaw, which once again proved that the worlds of motoring and art can harmonize – presenting exceptional Bugatti and Pagani at the event.
The anniversary edition also featured DESA Unicum, Artinfo.pl , and Wydawnictwo Format as auction partners, along with supporting brands like Domoteka, Perlage, Hennessy, Winne Pola, Winnica Pałac Mała Wieś, the Polish Business Council, and the SAR Marketing Communications Association. The entire event was organized in collaboration with the Plej, and the anniversary communication was supported by OKK! PR, lending the event a media-focused and elegant tone.
This year's edition of Thirsting for Beauty demonstrated that art can be not only a source of aesthetic pleasures but also a real force for change. At a time when culture requires courageous patrons, initiatives like these serve as a reminder that beauty has the power to unite people and inspire action.
Author: Luxury Boutique
