MARIA SC
Maria S.C. chandelier is made from chemistry test tubes, set in two plywood bands. This surprising material and geometric shape makes this lamp both classic and innovative. The double glass cylinder recalls Art Deco forms in a unique contemporary way. The use of ready-made objects gives an appearance with a Duchamp idea. The tubes are detachable and the lamp provides the opportunity for visual experiment by creating a variety of configurations and arrangements. The lamp is inspired by the Polish scientific woman, Maria Skłodowska-Curie, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the discovery of polonium and radium.
We are all collages
We are all collages at BWA - Municipal Art Gallery of Bydgoszcz presents what has happened in the last two years with Psikusy project. At the exhibition, you can see effects of numerous workshops, animations, documentations of activities.
Psikusy
Unpointers, unpoodles, untartan unsheperds and all other mongrels from, PSIKUSY book and blocks at the first solo exhibition at Design Institute in Kielce. The exhibition was accompanied by workshops and charity auction for dog shelter in Dyminy.
Jellyfishes
Bioluminescence is a living organisms’ ability to emit light without heat production. Among the glowing species, up to 80% live in water. In search for alternative sources of energy and reducing heat emission, the Holy Grail of energy turns out to lie in the oceans. The discovery by researchers of the protein GFP (green fluorescent protein) found in jellyfish (spec. Aeuquorea Victoria) began a revolution in molecular biology and opened the way for futuristic projects, such as the genetic modification of trees to illuminate our cities. So far,GFP is used in genetics and medicine where it serves as a marker.
Blind fields
"What do I feel with my cheek, with my knee or with my hand? What does the cup look like, see with my knee? I am trying to figure that out. I am remembering it, using my knee, rub the smooth, cold surface, feeling the protuberance, and the hole. it is sharp on the edge. Then, using my memory and the eyes, I try to shape it. I am looking at this and I do not recognize it." - Pani Jurek
The installation in the shape of a black square resembles a kitchen cabinet. Ceramic objects are inspired by descriptions of what blind people have before their eyes. The starting point was Monika's sentence, who lost her sight at the age of 2: ``What I have in front of my eyes can be compared to what you feel in your hand, on your knee, on your cheek".
The second part of the work was created by exhibition visitors, drawing an object hidden from their eyes, using only the sense of touch.
The work was part of the exhibition "Fields of Blinds"
Exhibition was organized by the Association “with seat in Warsaw”. I was one of 8 visual artists, showing artworks inspired by the world perceived by the blind.
Living lamps
Bioluminescence is a living organisms’ ability to emit light. It has inspired Pani Jurek to create eco lamps. Together with Stanisław Łoboziak, a biologist designer created a lighting fixture that can emit light without the necessity of supplying them with electricity. In nature, bioluminescent diatoms can be observed, when waves full of diatoms hit the shore and the water flares blue magical light. Diatoms do not emit light during the day, it occurs only during the night and when they are in motion. The energy needed to produce the light is gained during photosynthesis. The lamp enriched in the diatoms can emit light for six to nine months depending on the pace of the diatom’s growth. The process may be prolonged by simply diluting the cultivation to renew the whole process.
Seed boards
This multifunctional board can be used as a wall clock shield, a cutting/cheese board or simply hung on the wall as a decorative piece, the way the original Hucul plates were used. The starting point to design this project was a reflection on the old rhythm of human life, measured not by hours or minutes, but by the sun phases and human work. The visual inspiration was taken from a sunflower – a popular crop in Ukraine, considered as a solar plant. The sunflower face, meticulously filled with seeds resembles Hucul ornaments. The pattern created by nature was transferred by the designer onto the wooden board and “eaten” like sunflower seeds by the chisel of a woodcarver. The result is a concave relief.The time consuming work of the craftman carving the designs contributes custom boards with different levels of intricate cavities. What is left and what the client receives is the unique traces of manual work, with exclusivity of time, concentration, rhythm and weariness. This meditative character of the item is a kickoff for the reflection on the contemporary rhythm of life.
Toys for kids with impaired vision
The 4 popular games: Battleship, Hussars, Memory and Horizon Circle have been modified according to universal design, to be usable for children with impaired vision. Tactile qualities and contrasts have been emphasized. The toys are made of elements which are easily accessible. The toys were consulted with parents of children with impaired vision. The project was a part of the initiative of the Association based in Warsaw. Toys are available for DIY under CCBY license.
Their city - Dzika Ochota
Illustrations and key visuals for the project "Their City" organized by the Academy of Dzika Ochota and the Management of the Municipal Greenspace Authority in Warsaw. It was a series of walks and tours aimed at learning about the inhabitants (mainly birds and insects) of Warsaw's parks and green spaces.
Base
Exhibition BASE in CK Zamek in Poznan. Our tents were designed with kids. The walls are covered with children’s thoughts about what the home is or should be.
Curator Magda Kreis
photo: M.Zakrzewski, Piotr Bedliński
Jungle
Two sides of one fabric. Designed together with children during a workshop in Wroclaw in 2016. The theme was to be a jungle. One side of the fabric is covered with a vibrant tropical forest. On the reverse is a world devastated by man. Chaos, death, fear of animals. The children intuitively conveyed a sense of irreversible loss.
Adopt Varsovian
"Adopt Varsovian" is an annual charity event organized by the "Na Paluchu" dog shelter. We took part in it by organizing a workshop for children. The children's task was to make a portrait of a dog, one of the stray dogs living in the shelter. The children used the covers of our Psikusy books.
Jurki
Wood waste toys. Sometimes when it is raining or when my daughter is bored, we make wood waste toys. Each piece tells us what it wants to be in the future. This way, we have managed to gather such a gang. We have also workshops with preschoolers using wooden offcuts.
Views from...
The idea for the postcards was born in Krakow, where we conducted workshops for architecture students through lectures on the theory of vision and spatial orientation, where we learned the perception of different types of visually impaired people.
Designer Mama
How is it possible to make kids sensitive to well designed space? The answer can be found in a product by Pani Jurek. She selected her favorite items from the history of modern design, embroidered their shapes on the tablecloth and „arranged” the interior under the table. Now, the child has its own private space, arranged with an Eames storage unit, George Nelson clock, Thorsten van Elten antler coat rack and Shuffle Table by Mia Hamburg. There are also Polish icons of design among them: a traditional folk cupboard and a „Fawn” – children’s stool designed by Olgierd Szlekys and Wladyslaw Wincze.
Multifunctional and whimsical is a part of Pani Jurek brand’s character. The tablecloth is designed for adults as well as for children. It’s purpose in family events, to give children a private area and to let them create the space. The tablecloth is embroidered inside out and the children can see the shapes of the furniture when the adults can experience the effects of handicraft. It is really an aesthetic pleasure: the fabric is high quality cotton and embroidery, although both inside and out are designed to represent the correct side also: the knots are exactly cut to mini rosettes.
KOLO
KOLO- cylindrical lighting objects that change light intensity with touch. A new lighting set is created by Polish designer Pani Jurek together with architect Piotr Musialowski. Through tactile play with the object, two lamps – KOLO Magnet and KOLO Sand – feature adjustable light intensity to meetthe needs and moods of its user.
In KOLO Magnet, lightly sliding a magnetic disc on the surface of the light circle opens a spectrum of the light effects. Compositions made by the user resemble astronomical phenomena.
KOLO Sand works like an hourglass. After moving the mechanism upside down, sand slowly covers the light circle and the brightness fades. Falling sand, accompanied by a gentle murmur, creates mesmerizing drawings. The lamp is ideal for those who do not like to sleep in the darkness. Sloping the lamp to the side position can stop the process of the falling sand
Psikusy blocks
The “PSIKUSY. Remix your dog” is a concept about how the mixed breed dogs arise, about dog personalities, the shapes and colours galore, that only nature can create. Now you can complete PSIKUSY five dogs collection. Mix the heads, torsos, legs, ears and tails to create collages of seriously mixed-up dogs! Be just as creative as nature! Available breeds: Great Dane, Dachshund, Poodle, Greyhund, Bull terrier. Dogs can be painted of left with its natural wood colour.
The concept and graphic design is created by Pani Jurek and Małgorzata Gurowska, Dorota Masłowska wrote a witty statement which is the praise of mongrelism and diversity.
PLIKA
The Plika Light is made from a bunch of coloured fibers mounted in white ceramic elements. The form evokes Rasta dreadlocks but the name suggests an inspiration derived from Plica Polonica (Polish Plait), an old Polish superstition. As with other Pani Jurek designs, the lighting fixture allows the user to interact with it. A Plika light can be easily braided, knotted and tangled to achieve varying effects.
According to the folk tales, a messy knot tangled up at the ceiling imprisons evil spirits.