Murals or mosaics most often adorn large walls in larger cities. In Nowe Miasto Lubawskie, it has been shown that this kind of art can appear in a smaller format. On the wall of a building on Wodna Street, a work of art appeared that combines European inspiration with local craft traditions. The mosaic was installed on the façade of a former water treatment plant and is distinguished by its execution on a wooden base.
From inspiration to realisation
The idea for the mosaic was born thanks to the Deputy Mayor of Nowe Miasto Lubawskie, who – inspired by street art during a visit to a de nata café in Poznań – proposed creating a work in the urban space of Nowe Miasto Lubawskie. The concept was taken over and brought to completion by artists from the Manufaktura Zawodów Dawnych: Natalia Reszka and Anna Pestka-Górska. Their approach combines the ambition to create a large-scale motif with the conviction that all stages of the work should remain in the hands of local artists. The authors mention that the biggest challenge was not painting the design, but moulding and cutting out the tiles, as clay is ‘governed by its own rules’, and mastering the process of the material’s warping required time and the development of a production strategy.
Craftsmanship and technology
The mosaic was created from hand-formed tiles of chamotte clay, fired to bisque at 1000°C. The finishing was done with underglaze paints, which gave the surface a glossy appearance and durability suited to outdoor conditions. All stages of production took place in the kiln of the Old Professions Manufactory, which emphasises the local dimension of the project and the continuity of the ceramic tradition of the region. The colours and materials used refer to the Lubavian tile, integrating Portuguese ‘azulejos’ with the regional ceramic heritage.
Symbolism and narrative
The central motif of the mosaic is a raftsman floating wood down the Drwęca River, a direct reference to the economic and cultural history of the Lübeck area. In the background is the silhouette of a historic church and a meandering river surrounded by local vegetation, creating a composition that tells the story of the community’s relationship with water and the raw material of wood. The project received funding from the Association of Cities, Municipalities and Districts of the Drwęca River Basin.
Form, display and relevance to revitalisation
The mosaic was mounted on a wooden base and framed in a conserved wooden frame, permanently attached to the facade of the former water treatment plant. The object has now lost its technical function, but has gained a new identity as a vehicle for art and local memory.
The mosaic on the former water treatment station is an example of a successful dialogue between history, craftsmanship and contemporary art, ” comments Bartosz Truszczyński, Deputy Mayor of Nowe Miasto Lubawskie.
‘This small but consistent artistic gesture is an initiatory one: it shows that revitalisation can begin with small, carefully designed interventions that build the residents’ bond with the place and trigger further adaptation activities.
source: UM Nowe Miasto Lubawskie
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