designers: Katarzyna Molicka, Michał Sowa, FONTARTE, Robert Pludra, Matylda Sałajewska, Jan Jaworski, Magda Kryńska, Grzegorz Sławiński, Joanna Sowula, Paweł Dadok, Joanna Madej, Magdalena Łapińska, Klara Jankiewicz, Helena Czernek, Michał Jońca, Sebastian Bałut, Ola Mirecka, AZE design.

curator: Marta Kołacz

The urge to keep things which bring particular places to mind is shared by all contemporary travellers. Souvenirs are miniature reminders of regional culture. Conveying meanings of ethnic and geographical origin, they are one of the elements in the construction of glocal identity.

Regional inspirations in design emphasize the diversity and exceptionality of local products; they determine their uniqueness on a global scale. Although traditional, folk souvenirs are still popular, also among young designers who more and more frequently enter the segment of tourist souvenirs, creating objects of totally new visual and sentimental quality.

For many years, the most common souvenirs ‘made in Poland’ were folk handicraft products sold by the Cepelia shops. After the system transformation, an alternative emerged: mass-imported stuffed toys, china figurines as well as knight’s accessories. Contemporary designers approach the question of regional identity in a rather different manner.

Recent contests for best gadgets and souvenirs from Poland have revealed new and innovative ideas for the promotion of Polish culture. These special objects, designed by young people — many of them students, have caused ferment in the souvenir market.

Projects presented at the exhibition — keepsakes and objects that can serve as traditional souvenirs — demonstrate a modern approach to the concept of locality. They advertise small or big communities with no pomposity, deconstructing the national ethos. They are often ‘meta-souvenirs’, full of irony, questioning the newest history. They show what we, members of local communities, want to make known about ourselves, cultural achievements which we are proud of; in a nutshell — what we want to be remembered.