ZŁOTY, 2015

ZŁOTY is a site-specific public installation created directly onto the facade of a residential building in Katowice, Poland, and utilizes over 600 square metres of golden wallpaper.

ZŁOTY reflects on the aspirations of the former residents and the region’s history of gradual decline following the collapse of the local mining industry. ‘ZŁOTY’ (literally translated as ‘golden’) refers both to the name of Poland’s currency and to the gold colour of the wallpaper that completely covers the abandoned residential building. This wallpaper and its design were commonly seen inside the homes of the Załęże district. Placing the wallpaper on the exterior of the building acts to render the familiar and safe interior of these homes vulnerable; its gradual deterioration over time form an essential part of the work.

ZŁOTY is a continuation of Strange’s ongoing architectural interventions and exhibitions. It was commissioned by The Instytucja Kultury Katowice with curator Michał Kubieniec with research assistance from the Katowice Historical Museum. The work was on view as a site-specific work for 11 months in Katowice, Poland from May 2015 to December 2015. In 2017, photographic documentation and artefacts from the project were first exhibited alongside works by Jeppe Hein, Rebecca Baumann and Marita Fraser at Moore Contemporary’s Project 1.