“Relax” bench in Lodz

Not just for sitting. A modern ceramic bench at the Łódź Fabryczna train station. The multi-level urban bench, “Relax in Lodz”, was designed by Studio Izabela Bołoz using illustrations by Kasia Bogucka. This is a continuation of the Łódź Design Festival’s efforts to improve the quality of public space and present the works of the best Polish designers and artists. Ceramika Paradyż is a patron of the project. The installation was created as part of the 13th edition of the LDF (2019).

After unveiling the ceramic mural “State of mind” by Bartek Bojarczuk (93 Zachodnia St.), the organizers of the Łódź Design Festival decided to put at the disposal of Łódź citizens a new, functional piece of urban furniture, designed by one of the top Polish designers creating for public spaces – Izabela Bołoz. The LDF has been implementing activities dedicated to improving the quality of public spaces for another year. – Our urban projects are distinguished by several elements, and in their implementation we cooperate with Polish designers and artists. The aim of these activities is to improve the aesthetics and give new, or improve the existing functions of public spaces, to test unusual, experimental solutions, and, what is very important to us, to cooperate with sponsors who finance such activities, which benefits both them and the city budget,” stresses Michal Piernikowski, director of the ŁDF.

The intention of the authors of the bench was to create, especially for Lodz, an unconventional object that fits into the architecture of the station, referring at the same time to the theme of the 12th edition of the LDF, which was held under the slogan “GOOD LIFE”. – The shape of the bench is inspired by the architecture of the roof of the Łódź Fabryczna station, its characteristic glass triangles. The bench consists of five figures that form a modular block,” explains Bołoz, emphasizing that the installation is not only functional and durable, but also beautiful and inspiring: – It breaks the classic thinking about urban furniture by offering non-obvious functions. After all, a bench doesn’t have to be used just for sitting. It can become a landmark, a place to meet and relax, or a backdrop for photos, a memory and a postcard from Lodz,” the designer lists.

The design of the bench uses 400 precisely cut, arranged in an illustrative composition of glazed stoneware and clinker elements of various shades. This unusual use of tiles shows that they are becoming an interesting material that can be successfully used in public spaces. The distinctive illustrations of Katarzyna Bogucka, known to residents among others as the author of unique, colorful murals inside the train station, add a special touch to the bench. The graphics in the waiting rooms and the illustrations on the bench are geometric, cartoon-style images of life in the city. Supplemented with interesting, positive slogans emphasizing that Lodz is a city where one not only visits, but also “lives well”. The graphics on the bench are intriguing, encouraging you to spend time in a city famous for its creative potential and unique atmosphere. – I hope that relaxation in Lodz is possible not only in the form of a bench, but also on it. The design depicts two reclining figures enjoying a leisurely moment. I would like the bench to encourage people to stop and take a little pleasure of sitting on it, to look at their haste and what is going on around them from a distance,” says the artist.

The installation is also part of an effort to promote Lodz as a city ideal for a holiday, and not only, weekend getaway. The place where the bench has been set up is near the food court located near the exit from the platforms.