“MIŃSK MAZOWIECKI -

THE HOUSE THAT DOESN'T EXIST ANYMORE”

10.2023

dimensions: 104*94cm

technique: application with raw edge, free-hand embroidery. The work is based on a photo from the National Digital Archive; linen, polyester threads.

The work sewn for the AWERS-REWERS group exhibition at the Museum of Minsk Land in Minsk Mazowiecki. You can read more about it on my blog.

“When I saw the photo on which this patchwork was based, I was captivated by how much one simple shot of architecture can tell a story. The house was built before World War II when Minsk Mazowiecki was developing intensively. Many of its residents built homes in Minsk but worked in Warsaw on a daily basis. The cottage still smells new, you can see young plantings around the house. Fruit trees and ornamental shrubs - everything has not yet grown well into the ground. In the same garden stands a deckchair with a capote hanging on it. Next to it, a man lies on a bench and strokes his dog. The spring sun is shining and new life is beginning. Literally and figuratively. Isn't this a beautiful image of a dream come true?

I used white linen to portray this scene - it shines through against the light, and when the backlight goes out, the depicted scene disappears as well. It appears only for a moment when the light brings it to life. And it disappears when the light goes out - like a dream when we wake up. We close our eyes and are still able to recall the image from the dream under our eyelids. However, when we open our eyes, we still have the afterimage for a while, but then the image disappears. Eventually we stop thinking about it and it disappears forever. Just as this little house disappeared from the landscape of Minsk.”