Radio Zablocie: A Beacon of Cultural Heritage

Aleksandra Toborowicz's Innovative Approach to Preserving Industrial History

The project's main components are the 'Attuned to Zablocie' website and the 'Radiomural.' These elements are designed to resemble the desktop of an old radio receiver, a symbol of Zablocie's industrial past. The website features contemporary audio-recordings of people associated with Zablocie, including historians, residents, and artists. These recordings, which comment on Zablocie's history, art, and culture, are arranged on the website's radio desktop in place of typical radio frequencies. The site also includes photo and video documentation, short descriptions, and interactive maps.

The Radiomural, painted with photoluminescent paint, glows in the dark like a vintage radio. The mural includes the names of similar postindustrial and creative districts to Zablocie, highlighting the shared experiences of these areas. The mural's glow can be enhanced by illuminating it with flashlights, and the recordings from the website can be accessed by visitors on the wall of the Radiomural.

The project was realized in collaboration with several team members, including Pawel Krzywdziak for the mural and Sylwia Misiak for research. Radek Chrzan contributed to the website development, and Anna Antonina Dzieciol provided translation services. The project took place from 2016 to 2018 in the Zablocie district of Krakow, with the Radiomural being painted in May 2018.

Radio Zablocie faced several challenges during its realization. For the mural, the team had to research photoluminescence and postindustrial districts similar to Zablocie. The radio project required extensive project management, including conducting interviews, editing recordings, historical research, photo documentation, translation, and website development.

The project's unique approach to preserving and promoting cultural heritage earned it the Silver A' Cultural Heritage and Culture Industry Design Award in 2018. This prestigious award recognizes top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation.

In conclusion, Radio Zablocie is a testament to the power of art, design, and technology in preserving and promoting cultural heritage. Through its innovative approach, it serves as a beacon of Zablocie's industrial past, ensuring that the district's history continues to resonate in its modern landscape.