region and varieties of feathers (like goose feathers dyed in red) and from the late-19th century with ribbons and colourful paper pompoms or flowers. Through the years they became more elaborate; and for its unique folklore traditions, the region is famous for pająki made in very bright colours with an extra polygonal woollen centrepiece. Another traditional shape of pajaki is a geometric one. It’s also known in other countries, especially in Finland where they’re called himmeli.
Shapes
For my pajaki, I use traditional materials like rye straw – which I harvest each summer in Poland – as well as different types of paper and peas. I usually choose only three or four colours; so, admittedly, they’re not as colourful as ones from Poland. Out of respect, I don’t like to only copy old designs: it’s important for me to experiment with new materials to give them a new contemporary look.
The most experimental and challenging project so far was a brass geometric pająk I designed for The Department Store, sponsored by Squire & Partners architects for London Design Festival 2017. Inspired by a traditional geometric shape, I wanted to create a sculptural, contemporary piece. I replaced rye straws with brass tubes. The installation was made with around 700 pieces of tubes. I used traditional threading technique to make the
structure, but also replaced cotton
thread with strong wire because
of the weight of the tubes. One
metre wide, whilst a traditional one
is usually 40cm wide, I wanted
also to question its fiunction (I
wanted to stop the fact people had
traditionally regarded it as being a
small decorative object hanging
above a table, and instead regard it
as a hanging minimal sculpture).
And in doing so, I didn’t decorate it
with flowers or pompons: I wanted
to keep it clean and crisp.
Upper Left:
Pająk, Lowicc.
Lower Right:
Karolina's
Brass Pająk.
Photo Courtesy of:
Ola O. Smit
All Rights Reserved.
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