what do you think? new design exhibition

Designers are able to utilize weaving not only in objects intended for interiors. Facades and even entire buildings are being created, such as the iconic Polish Pavilion at the Expo in 2005 or the remarkable Children Center on the coasts of Thailand, where every element is woven from bamboo branches.

The exhibition at the Regional Museum in Stalowa Wola poses the question: “What are you weaving?” showcasing a spectrum of design and architecture projects by Polish and international designers who employ weaving techniques.

Often, these are natural materials like willow, rattan, and straw. In Poland, willow and lightweight structures featuring weaving have rich design traditions, primarily due to the contributions of esteemed designers like Jan Kurzątkowski and Władysław Wołkowski. A portion of the exhibition will present this “background” through a retrospective overview of wicker objects by W. Wołkowski.

There will also be a broad presentation of young designers from Poland, including Aze Design, Knockoutdesign, and Oli Mirecka, as well as international talents such as Cordula Kehrer from Germany and Maajo Design Studio from Latvia, who are using traditional weaves in surprising new forms.

The current trend of revisiting old, traditional techniques is complemented by new materials: lamps woven from paper or string (M. Godawa, A. Wołowska), chairs made from woven fabric strips (Fawory), and metal facades of buildings that echo the distant “weavings” in the form of intertwined strips of steel or iron, giving the buildings an extraordinary lightness. The airy facade of a hospital in London (Heatherwick Studio) or the stadium in Qatar (Albert Speer & Partner) creates the impression of delicate weavings.

– The exhibition answers not only the question of what is currently being “woven,” but also from what materials – says Beata Nowak from the Regional Museum in Stalowa Wola – It shows that the technique of weaving is not reserved solely for small objects or traditional materials such as willow or rattan. Its entry into contemporary design has a remarkably interesting face and is a combination of technological possibilities and a renewed interest in this traditional craft.

It is no coincidence that the exhibition takes place in the museum in Stalowa Wola – for over a hundred years, this region (especially the nearby Rudnik nad Sanem) has been one of the major willow weaving centers.

The exhibition is prepared by the Regional Museum in Stalowa Wola.

A bilingual catalog accompanies the exhibition.

The exhibition will feature works by:

Władysław Wołkowski, AZE Design, Knockoutdesign, Oli Mirecka, Barbara Kaźmierczak, Ingarden & Eva Studio, Magdalena Godawa, Anna Wołowska & Anna Szczęsna, Fawory Design, Magdalena Ataman, Boso Studio (Poland)

Cordula Kehrer (Germany), Albert Speer & Partner (Germany), Rijada Design (Latvia), Maajo Studio Design (Latvia), 24H Architecture (Netherlands), Heatherwick Studio (UK), Renzo Piano (Italy), Kjellgren Kaminsky architecture (Sweden), Patrick Dougherty (USA), Studio FGP (Colombia), Porky Hefer (South Africa)

Contact:

Beata Nowak, tel. 15 844 85 56 ext. 15

Media patrons include:

Elle DECORATION, CZAS NA WNĘTRZE, DESIGN ATTACK, DESIGN IT POLAND, {DESIGNTEKA.PL}, ARTINFO.PL, ECHO DNIA, NOWINY, RADIO LELIWA, POLSKIE RADIO RZESZÓW, STALOWKA.NET, TELEWIZJA STALOWA WOLA, TELEWIZJA KABLOWA STELLA, TVP RZESZÓW, TYGODNIK NADWIŚLAŃSKI, SZTAFETA