MSP Terminal 1, See18 Gallery
April 30, 2025 - August 31, 2025

Named after the Polish spelling of kaleidoscope, the Minnesota Polish Medical Society's "Kalejdoskop" project was initiated to recount the narrative of the Polish-American Community, particularly focusing on the stories of post-World War II immigrants who relocated to Minnesota. The overarching goal was to enrich the historical record with information about the postwar Polish-American immigrant experience within Minnesota's culture and the broader American context. It was carried out through interviews and photographs in several phases of this multi-year project and culminated in mobile photographic exhibitions.

"Lives in Transition: Journeys from Behind the Iron Curtain" is the third chapter of the Kalejdoskop Polski MN project. Between 1947 and 1989, life in Poland was marked by economic hardship, political oppression, and restricted freedoms under Soviet-controlled communism. Poles sought to escape for economic opportunity, political freedom, family reunification, and professional or educational advancement. However, obtaining passports and exit visas was rare, and those who applied risked government retaliation. Despite obstacles, some found ways to leave. The stories of those who managed to leave reflect extraordinary courage and determination. The fall of communism in 1989 and Poland’s transition to democracy brought immense change, but the legacy of this era continues to shape the identity of Poles and their diasporas worldwide.

Renowned portrait photographer David Sherman (www.davidshermanphoto.com) captured the essence of these compelling narratives through his lens.