The Trzepak*
A social sculpture and workshop-based project about community, place, and imagination. Based in Łódż, Poland.
2023
*A trzepak (CHEH-pock, carpet-beater) is a monument to a communist past that still exists in the urban landscape of former Eastern Bloc countries and regions. Neighbors hung their household carpet over their closest trzepak, beat the dirt and dust out of it and brought it home. Trzepaki were usually placed in central, semi-public spaces such as in the courtyards of apartment complexes. Although intended to serve a specific function, the tzrepak soon also became a community meeting place. Children in surrounding buildings used it as a makeshift playground and climbing structure, and local teens used it as a place to hang out. The trzepak was a place where the private and public met.
Above and left: historical Trzepak photos
The Trzepak was installed in Łódż, Poland in the courtyard of Piotrkowska 36/38. It is a monument and sculpture which functions as a play structure for the neighborhood kids.Part 1:
The Workshops
This project started as a workshop series with textiles students at the Academy of Fine Arts in Łódż, and eventually grew to include the tenants of Piotrkowska 36/38 in the city’s downtown, and Stowarzyszenie dla Rodziny, a non-profit organization supporting families with eldercare, mental health resources, and assistance for clients with physical and intellectual disabilities.
Inspired by its role in play and as a meeting place, the students chose to create a set of floor cushions that could be placed around the trzepak to facilitate conversation.
Over the course of the academic year, I led six textile workshops during which students, tenants, and the non-profit’s clients and staff created fabric elements based on the project themes, which were used to create fifteen large floor cushions. These were freely used by the community as extra seating at dinner parties and events, and reflected their makers as well as Polish folk art and craft traditions.
The Workshops
This project started as a workshop series with textiles students at the Academy of Fine Arts in Łódż, and eventually grew to include the tenants of Piotrkowska 36/38 in the city’s downtown, and Stowarzyszenie dla Rodziny, a non-profit organization supporting families with eldercare, mental health resources, and assistance for clients with physical and intellectual disabilities.
Inspired by its role in play and as a meeting place, the students chose to create a set of floor cushions that could be placed around the trzepak to facilitate conversation.
Over the course of the academic year, I led six textile workshops during which students, tenants, and the non-profit’s clients and staff created fabric elements based on the project themes, which were used to create fifteen large floor cushions. These were freely used by the community as extra seating at dinner parties and events, and reflected their makers as well as Polish folk art and craft traditions.
Part 2
Social Sculpture
Over the course of working together, Stowarzyszenie dla Rodziny and participating neighbors used project documentation to receive a development grant for improvements to the courtyard, including the install of a physical trzepak.
This project began with the shared experiences and associations of the Trzepak as a monument to personal stories, memories, and the transformation of something cold and functional into a meeting place and playground. With the help of the community, this idea became a physical reality which brought many people together in its realization.
The Trzepak was completed in advance of an annual celebration on September 30, 2023 during which we officially cut the ribbon on the project and presented it to the community and the local press.
Social Sculpture
Over the course of working together, Stowarzyszenie dla Rodziny and participating neighbors used project documentation to receive a development grant for improvements to the courtyard, including the install of a physical trzepak.
This project began with the shared experiences and associations of the Trzepak as a monument to personal stories, memories, and the transformation of something cold and functional into a meeting place and playground. With the help of the community, this idea became a physical reality which brought many people together in its realization.
The Trzepak was completed in advance of an annual celebration on September 30, 2023 during which we officially cut the ribbon on the project and presented it to the community and the local press.
Residents and Stowarzyszenie dla Rodziny staff choosing a spot to place the Trzepak in their courtyard. 
Donated trzepak delivery
The Trzepak and the final communnity textile installed in the courtyard. The site is visited by school groups and city tours.
1-2
Neighborhood grill event for the project, with students adding to the community textile
3
The final picnic with cushions in use
4-6
Workshops with Stowarzyszenie dla Rodziny
7-12
The completed cushions
13-15
Working on the community textile
16, 17
The community textile at the final picnic hanging from the Trzepak, and its final installation
18-19
The Trzepak sculpture
Neighborhood grill event for the project, with students adding to the community textile
3
The final picnic with cushions in use
4-6
Workshops with Stowarzyszenie dla Rodziny
7-12
The completed cushions
13-15
Working on the community textile
16, 17
The community textile at the final picnic hanging from the Trzepak, and its final installation
18-19
The Trzepak sculpture
Project Background
Some of the presentation materials used to introduce students to the project
In cooperation with:
Prof. Zygmunt Łukasiewicz
Stowarzyszenie Dla Rodziny ( staff, volunteers, and clients),
residents of Piotrkowska 36/38,
and the textile design workshop of Dr. Izabela Walczak, Academy of Fine Arts. Łódż, Poland.
Special thanks:
Piotr and Izabela Chuchler of Stowarzyszenie Dla Rodziny.
Cushion sewing and construction: Beata Kośka and Oksana Mikheienkp.
Trzepak transport: Tomasz Zawadowski
Project documentation: Klaudia Borzęcka and Mike Seely
Made possible through a 2022/23 Fulbright research grant.
Prof. Zygmunt Łukasiewicz
Stowarzyszenie Dla Rodziny ( staff, volunteers, and clients),
residents of Piotrkowska 36/38,
and the textile design workshop of Dr. Izabela Walczak, Academy of Fine Arts. Łódż, Poland.
Special thanks:
Piotr and Izabela Chuchler of Stowarzyszenie Dla Rodziny.
Cushion sewing and construction: Beata Kośka and Oksana Mikheienkp.
Trzepak transport: Tomasz Zawadowski
Project documentation: Klaudia Borzęcka and Mike Seely
Made possible through a 2022/23 Fulbright research grant.
Student participants:
Marta Bartel
Klaudia Boręcka
Karolina Chyc
Wojciech Gomularz
Karolina Kara
Karolina Kędzia
Aleksandra Kropidlowska
with Paulina Soltyszewska
Marta Bartel
Klaudia Boręcka
Karolina Chyc
Wojciech Gomularz
Karolina Kara
Karolina Kędzia
Aleksandra Kropidlowska
with Paulina Soltyszewska