The third edition of "Osiedle dla Sztuki" (Settlement for Art) is behind us – a project in which we invite Wrocław residents to join us in a discussion about the role of applied art and design in shaping the public space in our neighborhoods. This year's event took place in the spring, and its main theme was design and graphic design at various points in our city's history.
Aesthetically pleasing and well-designed public spaces are crucial to the quality of life for city dwellers. When our surroundings are tidy, visually appealing, and well-thought-out, we feel much better. A pleasant space stimulates our senses and creates a sense of harmony and order, which positively impacts our psyche. Well-designed signs, consistent typography, and modern graphic forms make the places we live more welcoming and inviting. Such spaces also help us build stronger bonds with our surroundings, making us feel more responsible for them.
photo: Anna Pazdej
When we see that our neighborhood or district is well-maintained and aesthetically pleasing, we begin to feel pride and a greater connection to the place we live in. Moreover, an aesthetically pleasing space also influences our daily decisions – it makes us more willing to go for a walk, use local services, and meet with neighbors. Ultimately, this improves our social relationships, well-being, and overall quality of life. Maintaining the visual order around us is not just a matter of aesthetics, but also an investment in the mental health and well-being of our community, something worth discussing with both adults and children in our neighborhoods.
It's worth involving creative individuals in discussions about our surroundings and creating a space for conversation and collaboration with the local community. By collaborating with residents, they can propose visual solutions that reflect the needs and aspirations of the community. Our experience shows that for such a process to be successful, it's necessary to start from the ground up – discussing needs and potential at the local level, interesting inspirations and best practices from other cities, as well as the role of design and art in our lives. The idea for "Osiedle dla Sztuki" stemmed from our belief that cultural education and stimulating the creativity of our neighbors are a sound investment for the future. Therefore, instead of creating more artistic works in Grunwaldzki Square, we once again opted for a format of meetings, workshops, and lectures.
photo: Anna Pazdej
„"Osiedle dla Sztuki" (A Neighborhood for Art) in 2023 is a series of inspiring lectures and workshops for various age groups. A total of five free events took place, and we were with you both at the Center's headquarters at Maria Skłodowska-Curie 63a and at Branch No. 29. Tadeusz Różewicz Municipal Public Library and in Zakwas Studio. Together, we created, discussed, and dreamed of a better-designed space where art and culture are important elements of social cohesion and resilience. As every year, we ensured that the event program included activities for the youngest, adults, and oldest residents of Wrocław. It's time to share what we accomplished together as part of this project:
- April 6, 2024, 12:00-14:00: A family lecture, "Patterns from 100 Years Ago. Tiles from Grunwald Tenement Houses," prepared by Magda Jarczewska-Bomba of Old Kafel Story. The event took place at Branch No. 29 of the Tadeusz Różewicz Municipal Public Library in Wrocław, at 1 Reja Street.
photo: Anna Pazdej
- April 6, 2024, 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM: family ceramics workshop at Zakwas Studio. The event took place at Zakwas Studio, ul. Szczytnicka 40/1B.
photo: Anna Pazdej
- April 13, 2024, 12:00-14:00: „"Space and Aesthetics: Typography and Graphic Design in Housing Estates" – a lecture by Kalina Zatorska. The event took place at the Plac Grunwaldzki OD NOWA Center, at ul. Marii Skłodowskiej-Curie 63a.
photo: Anna Pazdej
- April 13, 2024, 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM: „"Estate. Change – Designing for a Better Space" – a workshop with Aleksandra Litorowicz from the Puszka Foundation. The event took place at the Plac Grunwaldzki OD NOWA Center, located at ul. Marii Skłodowskiej-Curie 63a.
photo: Anna Pazdej
- April 20, 2024, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. – Typography workshops for children led by Magda Weber. The event took place at the Plac Grunwaldzki OD NOWA Center, located at ul. Marii Skłodowskiej-Curie 63a.
photo: Anna Pazdej
The "Osiedle dla Sztuki" project was an extraordinary journey through the world of aesthetics and functionality of public space, demonstrating the profound impact a well-designed environment has on our daily lives. We thank all participants – those who create and research art and design, the animators, those involved in the project volunteering, and above all, the local community – for their openness, enthusiasm, and active participation. We believe that the results of this project will inspire further action that will bring further positive changes to our neighborhoods and cities. Thank you for your commitment and for working together for a better environment!
The „Osiedle dla Sztuki” project is implemented by the Ładne Historie Foundation thanks to co-financing from the Municipality of Wrocław (www.wroclaw.pl).
The project partner is the Tadeusz Różewicz Municipal Public Library in Wrocław.
