Przechodzący przez Rzekę: Bydgoszcz Balancing Man

An Aerial Landmark on the Brda River

Suspended mid-air above the Brda River, Przechodzący przez rzekę (Man Crossing the River) is one of the most recognizable public art installations in Bydgoszcz. Created by Polish sculptor Jerzy Kędziora, who works under the artistic pseudonym "JotKa," the kinetic sculpture is mounted directly adjacent to the Jerzy Sulima-Kamiński Bridge. It stands as a visual anchor connecting the medieval Old Market Square with the 19th-century architecture of Gdańska Street, representing the city's turn toward utilizing the Bydgoszcz Water Junction as an open-air cultural corridor.

Engineering and Kinetic Balance

The sculpture depicts an athletic figure balancing on a single steel wire spanning more than 100 meters across the river. Measuring 2.2 meters in height and weighing 50 kilograms, the figure holds a 6-meter balancing pole. It was cast from resin composites blended with brass powder.

Despite the exposed setting and precarious appearance, the installation remains upright due to physics: its center of gravity is engineered to sit below the supporting wire. Natural river gusts cause the acrobat to gently sway, dip, and rotate, creating the optical illusion of an acrobat actively adjusting his footing against the backdrop of the flowing river and historic 18th-century half-timbered granaries.

Unveiling and European Accession

The initiative to suspend an aerial sculpture over the Brda was spearheaded by former Bydgoszcz vice-president Maciej Obremski. The artwork was officially unveiled at midnight between April 30 and May 1, 2004, marking Poland’s formal accession to the European Union. Positioned and revealed from a crane basket in front of thousands of gathered spectators, the sculpture quickly established itself as a permanent symbol of the city's post-accession cultural identity.

Local Symbols and Hidden Details

Several subtle details connect the sculpture to Bydgoszcz's cultural history. The figure carries an arrow in his hand and wears Roman sandals slung over his shoulder, casting him as the suitor to Ferdinand Lepcke's famous 1910 Archer Lady statue located in the city. Just beneath the cable, a small sculpted swallow serves as a tribute to Andrzej Szwalbe, the organizer of the Pomeranian Philharmonic and an influential cultural builder in the region.

The physical appearance of the acrobat was modeled on the sculptor’s son, Bartłomiej Kędziora. City authorities occasionally decorate the figure for community events, outfitting it with a Santa Claus cap in December or dressing it in national colors during major athletic tournaments.

Expanding the Kinetic Art Trail

The success of the river-crossing acrobat laid the foundation for further kinetic installations in Bydgoszcz. In 2024, the city and the Leon Wyczółkowski District Museum expanded Kędziora’s kinetic presence by installing additional balancing works in the city center and around Mill Island, including sculptures depicting a rower, a high diver, and a weaver.