A Neighborhood for Art: Design in the City

The third edition of "Osiedle dla Sztuki" (A Neighborhood for Art) is upon us – this year, we're turning our attention, and yours, to urban design. This year's program draws on Breslau's craft traditions, and together we explore ways to enhance the spaces around us. And for the youngest residents and the neighborhood, we've got a surprise: a typography workshop!

On April 6, 13, and 20, we invite you to Plac Grunwaldzki, where, in collaboration with Zakwas Studio and the Tadeusz Różewicz Municipal Public Library in Wrocław, we are organizing lectures and workshops. Participation in each event is free; due to limited space, workshops require advance registration. As part of the "Osiedle dla Sztuki" (Art Estate), we welcome spring and join you in searching for traces of design in Wrocław's Śródmieście district.

WORKSHOP REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/ODS2024ZAPISY.

We want to dream with you and seek answers to questions about the role of design and art in the everyday life of the neighborhood. Do the beauty and aesthetics of public spaces truly improve our well-being and quality of life in a given place? Or perhaps design, typography, murals, and small-scale architecture are activities of no consequence to the local community, who pay no attention to them? We're devoting three Saturdays in April to finding answers, and we invite you to join us!

graphic design: Aleksandra Abramik

 

The plan for this year's edition of "Osiedle dla Sztuki" is very simple – five events, including one created for children aged 7-13, each themed around an important element of the visual identity of Wrocław's Śródmieście district and Grunwaldzki Square.

Schedule:

• • April 6, 12:00 PM: Lecture "Patterns from 100 Years Ago. Tiles from Grunwald Tenement Houses" by Magda Jarczewska-Bomba from Old Kafel Story
    Location: Branch No. 29 of the Tadeusz Różewicz Municipal Public Library in Wrocław, Reja Street 1
    There is no registration required for this event – just come to the library.
    EVENT DESCRIPTION

    Wrocław's city center and Plac Grunwaldzki are undoubtedly treasure troves of remnants of Breslau. The tenement buildings located in this part of Wrocław hold many secrets, and one of them is the German-era ceramic tiles. During the meeting, you will learn about the functions these tiles once served and the unusual patterns that adorn the interiors of Wrocław's tenement buildings. Join us to explore the history and culture hidden behind the German-era tiles found throughout our city.

    ABOUT THE SPEAKER

    Magda Jarczewska-Bomba is the author of the project Wrocław tiles / old tile story, which can be briefly described as: tiles, Wrocław, discoveries. Her photographs of colorful and patterned tiles encourage you to embark on an inspiring journey through Wrocław, following the trail of old tiles hidden in tenement houses.

     

• • April 6, 4:00 PM: Ceramics Workshop at Zakwas Studio
    Location: Zakwas Studio, Szczytnicka Street 40/1B
    We accept registration for this event via the online form: https://bit.ly/ODS2024ZAPISY A maximum of 7 people can participate in the event.
    EVENT DESCRIPTION

    Ceramics workshops, during which you will delve into the secrets of tile making. Have you ever dreamed of rediscovering ancient craftsmanship techniques and recreating traditional ceramic designs? During our workshops, you will learn what materials and tools were used in the past to produce these unique decorative elements, how to hand-form and decorate tiles, and their significance in contemporary architecture and everyday life. Along the way, you will create your own tile – a souvenir reflecting the traditions of the Breslau district.

    ABOUT THE PRESENTERS

    Spółdzielnia Socjalna Zakwas was established in Wrocław at the end of 2018. The motivation for establishing this social enterprise was the creators' shared interest in the concept of responsible and sustainable design, based on environmental care and protection. The studio is run by experienced and educated ceramists, and since its inception, the Zakwas Studio team has implemented more than a dozen educational and team-building projects in the field of ceramic craftsmanship and environmental education.

     

• • April 13, 12:00 PM: Lecture "Space and Aesthetics: Typography and Graphic Design in Housing Estates" by Kalina Zatorska
    location: Plac Grunwaldzki OD NOWA, ul. Marii Skłodowskiej-Curie 63a 1st floor building in the yard)
    There is no registration required for this event – just come to the Centre.
    EVENT DESCRIPTION

    Polish housing estates have undergone numerous aesthetic transformations since the 1990s. During this presentation, we will examine the evolution of typography and graphic design, which shape our everyday spaces. We will examine changes in the appearance of signs, neon signs, and other visual elements that play a key role in shaping the atmosphere and identity of housing estates. We will discover how local communities and designers are engaged in creating aesthetically pleasing and functional spaces, thus improving the quality of life for residents.

    ABOUT THE SPEAKER

    Kalina Zatorska: During her day job, she works as a communications specialist. After hours, she develops her profile. @controversy dedicated to urban themes. Seasonally, she leads themed walks around Wrocław, specializing in wonders and wonders. She's a fan of fading urban fantasy, which she tracks down, sometimes writes about, and sometimes even stores in her basement.

     

• • April 13, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Workshop "Estate. Change – Designing for a Better Space" with Aleksandra Litorowicz
    location: Plac Grunwaldzki OD NOWA, ul. Marii Skłodowskiej-Curie 63a 1st floor building in the yard)
    We accept registration for this event via the online form: https://bit.ly/ODS2024ZAPISY.A maximum of 10 people can participate in the event.
    EVENT DESCRIPTION

    A shared space is always a sum of its parts. During this workshop, we will examine the elements that surround us every day and influence the aesthetics of public spaces, as well as their comfort, logic, and character. These include signs, neon signs, urban details, small architectural elements, and other forms of applied art.

    During the workshop, we will explore how applied art can positively impact a place and its inhabitants. We will present and discuss diverse examples of design for improved public and semi-public spaces. Then, we will jointly consider the needs of Plac Grunwaldzki in this regard. We will discuss possible ways to transform it using the tools of design and art, working together not only on the form of change but—even more importantly—on incorporating it into the specific needs, contexts, and potential of the place.

    ABOUT THE LEADER

    Aleksandra Litorowicz is the president of the Puszka Foundation, a cultural studies scholar, researcher, and curator. She lectures at the School of Form and the School of Ideas at SWPS University, as well as in urban studies at the Institute of Public Space Research, Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. She is the creator of the FUTUWAWA competition for the Warsaw of the Future, as well as research and educational projects related to the city and art in public space. She is a co-founder of the SAS School of Community Architecture. She is the director of the nationwide monumental painting survey and the research project "Places of Warsaw (to be recovered)". She is the author of the Miastozdziczenie.pl initiative, which examines interspecies habitation. She is the originator and editor of the book "Atlas of All Inhabitants" about human-nonhuman relations in Warsaw and co-editor of the book "Art. Update. What Can Be Seen in Warsaw's Public Space?". She is a scholarship holder of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage and the City of Warsaw, and in 2021 was awarded the title of Outstanding Alumna of the 25th Anniversary of SWPS University. Winner of the Warsaw Cultural Education Award for 2023. Member of the Social Cultural Council of the Mayor of Warsaw.

     

• April 20, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. – typography workshops for children led by Magda Weber
  We accept registration for this event via the online form: https://bit.ly/ODS2024ZAPISY.
  location: Plac Grunwaldzki OD NOWA, ul. Marii Skłodowskiej-Curie 63a 1st floor building in the yard)
  EVENT DESCRIPTION

  We invite children aged 7-13 to a typography workshop where you will learn about the letters of pre-war Wrocław and where you can still find them in the city. Together, we will analyze how the appearance of Wrocław's streets has changed over the past decades, especially the appearance of letters. During the workshop, full of knowledge and examples, you will design and create your own lettering proposals for windows, signs, neon signs, and posters.

  ABOUT THE LEADER

  Magda Weber is an artist, graphic designer, and cultural animator. She graduated from the Eugeniusz Geppert Academy of Fine Arts in Wrocław with a degree in Art Mediation and Graphic Design. She earned her Master's degree in Design from the Advertising and Visual Information Studio. Her thesis focused on dyslexia. As part of a social campaign, she designed a book presenting key information, statistics, and illustrating the challenges dyslexics face at the beginning of their education. She primarily works with linocuts. She received scholarships from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage in 2020, from the Mayor of Wrocław in 2019, and three times from the Rector of the Academy of Fine Arts in Wrocław. Her work has been presented numerous times at international competitions and biennials around the world, including in Armenia, Romania, the USA, and Argentina. Since 2017, she has co-created the Printcard Wrocław project, an international graphic arts exchange project. She leads printmaking workshops at MISPRINT STUDIO in Wrocław. Since 2018, she has been associated with BWA Wrocław Galleries of Contemporary Art, where she currently serves as an educator and accessibility coordinator.

   

Participation in all events within the "Osiedle dla Sztuki" program is free and does not require prior registration. Participation in the events constitutes acceptance of the regulations, which are available by clicking this link: https://bit.ly/ODS2024REGULAMIN.

If you would like to inform us about any additional needs related to your participation in the events (e.g. interpretation into Polish Sign Language, support from an assistant), please report them in the recruitment form or by email to: placgrunwaldzki@ladnehistorie.pl at least one week in advance. We also accept applications by phone at (71) 757 15 87 (Monday to Friday, 12:00 to 17:00).

The project "Osiedle dla sztuki" is implemented by the Ładne Historie Foundation thanks to funding from the Municipality of Wrocław (www.wroclaw.pl).

The project partner is the Tadeusz Różewicz Municipal Public Library in Wrocław.