Coal goes BOOM!Coal has always been in my home, my family and in my sur-roundings. My grandfather was a blasting miner. My father was involved in the modernization of coal. I also had to meet the coal. In a sense, I combine what my male ancestors dealt with. I do what they were doing. I make “BOOM” and strongly believe that here, in Silesia, is TOMORROW. I’m not alone in this intuition. There are many more of us.

Here in one time and space meet the designers inspired by coal and mining tradition. Young people, mainly (but not exclusive-ly) from the region commonly associated with coal. It would seem that the time for coal has already passed. And yet each of them is fascinated with and inspired by coal: its shape, texture, structure, material and color. Is it with a hint of nostalgia, or the trying to shift it into a new era – they design with coal, for coal and about coal.

We will see coal in completely unexpected guises and how it’s the starting point for a wide variety of projects. Once cheri-shed, then unjustly forgotten, now it returns with great style. Coal as a centerpiece, a headliner and a main course. The fo-undation stone of the Silesian industry enters the showrooms!Coal goes “BOOM!”

Marta Frankcurator

RETURN OF BLACK SILESIA

Return of Black SilesiaWęgiel BOOM is a unique project, a symbolic return of the “Black Silesia” prematurely pushed to the suburbs of social and cultural memory.

Marta Frank, who has invited designers into cooperation, most of who are associated with the province of Silesia, launches a time machine. They share, unusual for a young generation, commitment to the region and the tradition that they easily, and one could say – with hunger, use in their works. Well ver-sed in the world, without the complexes characterizing the generation of their parents, they consciously choose localism and homeliness. By finding their own voice, they build an ori-ginal path of career and development.

The phenomenon of the Silesian Design has already been noticed and appreciated in Poland and abroad. I often hear the question about what determines its uniqueness. I do not see, fortunately, a common aesthetic feature to be able to talk about Silesian design style. However it is worth to see other, exceptional, though less visible features: the ability to cooperate and local patriotism, that are not easy to find in the “designer’s world”.

I would also like to add my personal reflection. I am proud that the dynamic development of our region uses good design more than any other and that Cieszyn Castle can participate in this process. Ultimately, it was the Silesian Voivodeship, as the first in Poland, which opted for design in innovation development strategy and the first one where a regional design center was opened. The fruits of these political decisions can be seen not only at exhibitions, but also increasingly more often in our everyday lives.

Ewa Gołębiowskadirector at Zamek Cieszyn

EVERY-DAY COAL

Everyday coalOne of my earliest childhood memories is the sight of my hands - black from coal, immersed in the coal bucket standing next to the stove. To this day I have no idea what kind of force pulled me there, despite a strong and clear parental ban. It certainly wasn’t a cognitive desire that can be quickly satisfied - this force, as it turned out later, had a direct impact on my life. Ever since I remember, coal has been present in my life: in a tired and unwashed father’s eyes; in the scars on his body; in the greaseproof paper, that used to re-turn home from work with my father, because there was no time to eat breakfast down in the mine. As a child I did not understand, how cold, black and multiform lumps turn into fireballs after being in contact with fire. Thanks to these fireballs the stove, and then the whole house, was filled with blissful warmth. During the long winter evenings, when snowstorms were raging outside, I used to listen to the sounds that were coming from the oven. They were an integral evidence of a yet unknown transformation.As in every mining family, I quickly realized how much our life is related to father’s work and thus with coal, its blessings and its dangers. At age 19, I started working in the mine and I had the opportunity to find out all about it by myself. Living on and with coal each day. Since then coal, like bread, has become daily.I got to know a world so very different from what I knew before. Considering myself an adult, I had to become a child again and learn everything in the world of coal from scratch. Again I had to learn how to walk, listen, look and above all, think in terms that I was still yet to know. Over time I got used to the knowledge that I’m a part of this world and coal is a gift that teaches me humility every day. Lack of it often ends tragically. Visually, in a memorable way, it made me realize how deep human stupidity and greed can be. Day by day I felt and still feel the care that leads me with each and every step, allowing me to safely return home to my family. The most important parts of this world are the people „painted with coal”. Faces that I knew for years, down in the mine were often unrecognizable and only eyes in the dark distinguished people from black coal. The sight of those faces, worn hands, tired legs and many other indescribable details are deeply and perma-nently imprinted in my memory. The uniqueness of daily communing with those exceptional people has become a source of wisdom, joy and faith in other people. Over the years I can say that the work associated with coal has shaped me into who I am today.At the end there should be some conclusions and summaries, but there won’t be any. This will be about ultimate things. When I finished working at my Alma Mine, in which my father used to work his entire life, I took away a small lump of coal and brought it home. When my dad died, I put a piece of this lump into his coffin, so that he lived with coal his whole life until the very end. That same day I asked my wife to put the rest of it into my coffin when my time comes. I want this to be.

Jacek Raciborski

CarboCarbo is a set of 6 cutlery coasters made of coal. The material and form refer to the dril-ling performed during the extraction of natural resources. The project was realized for the Mi-nistry of Health on the occasion of the Polish Presidency of the EU.

Beza ProjektBeza Projekt focuses on designing product and manufacturing process of limited editions. They also design small architectural elements, such as playgrounds, art installations and fur-niture. In their portfolio there are realizations of bold, unconventional designs and product concepts.

Czarny Diament (“Black Diamond”)Black Diamond is a very busy coal, a symbol of the region and hard work. It can be used as a stand for business cards, photos and postcards. It may also be as a “relief interior decorative element”.

Bogdan KosakThe studio of Bogdan Kosak focuses on design, technical development and the comprehensive preparation for the mass production of cera-mics. Being both functional and decorative, from the prototypes to the tools.Winning the “Śląska Rzecz” Competition, in both 2007 and 2011 under the category “Product”.

HochglanceHochglance is a truly Silesian jewelry.Made of silver and coal, it uncovers the hidden charm of “black gold”. Each piece is unique and handmade. – Wearing Hochglance you wear a piece of rock that was formed 300 million years ago! – promote designers.

Bro.KatBro.Kat discovers coal anew, using it as an innovative building, interior and design mate-rial. It also designs detached houses and public buildings, residential and public interiors and the facilities.

Carbon WallsIn the work of Aleksandra Grabowska, coal acts as a wall cladding. Sanded, preserved and discreetly illuminated, the wall of stone creates a distinctive, elegant touch to the space. The counterpoise is a white floor made of terrazzo – one of the favoured materials of the designer.

CechowniaThe design studio of Aleksandra Grzonka, a lecturer at the Postgraduate School of Interior Design and Industrial Design at the Faculty of Architecture in Gliwice. She has designed many public and private interiors.Winner of numerous awards and honours.

Kulodrom "Mine"An educational toy, Kulodrom Mine blocks are a set of ramps, corners, mining buildings, a shaft and carbon in the form of balls.

Agata ChmielarzAs the designer of industrial forms, she enjoys delightful, but above all useful things. Assistant Professor in the Laboratory of Product Design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice. She runs the design company Ardema, which manufactures wooden products.

Blocks "Szyb"An educational toy for younger children that can develop co-ordination, dexterity, perception of basic shapes and colors. The form refers to mineshaft. The colours are not random, they are the symbols used within the mining industry.

Andrzej KliszEngaged in product design, visual communication and applied graphics. His works from the field of design were presented at fairs all over Europe. He runs the workshop of Public Space Equipment Designs at the Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice.

Familyo łon łona i bajtelAn educational toy depicting the tradition of a Silesian home. Husband-miner, wife in a traditional Silesian dress and bajtel, that is a child, symbolized by the yellow baby stroller.

Justyna Szulc-WicekAssistant in the Laboratory of Product Design at the Acade-my of Fine Arts in Katowice. Co-founder of the Zaria project group engaged in product design and visual communication.

La Dolce Silesia!A project for the Silesian Cluster of Design. The graphic design of an exhibition pavilion at Ventura Lambrate in Milan. – At the Węgiel BOOM! Exhibition we will show redesigned posters based on illustra-tions and graphics from the pavilion. It will be a summary of the project – announce the creators.

Cyber Kids on realA Creative Studio involved in graphic design for modern and traditional media. They com-bine advertising experience with good design practice. They have received awards in adver-tising and graphic design.

Śląskie MityA book and a series of posters. The Silesia you do not know – created and illustrated by Ewa Kucharska and narrated with poems by Marek Jagielski. Traditional characters of Silesian le-gends: Bebok, Skarbek, Heksa experience ad-ventures in the semi-mythical, half-real world where the temptations of the consumer world await them and a paradise that smells of ho-memade sour soup.

Ewa KucharskaThe designer, illustrator and animator, fascina-ted with new media. The author of i.a., the de-sign and illustrations for the educational game “Silesian Memory” and a series of posters of Silesian design icons – Katosfera.

GrubiorzGryfnie is a web portal and a collection of items inspired by the Silesian vocabulary. It includes online dictionary, T-shirts (i.e. Gru-biorz, Chachor, Oberiba, Familok, Larmo), bags (Taszka na maszkety), posters, books and edu-cational games (“Silesian memory”).

Gryfnie– We invite everyone who wants to rediscover the Silesian language, for those who know it well and for those whom it can sometimes so-und exotic but well worth knowing. Take care! – say Klaudia and Krzysztof Roksela, founders of Gryfnie portal and collection.

Miner SweatshirtThis sweatshirt is one of the five elements of clothing “Collection Silesiana”. All items refer to the characteristic features of Silesians and their names come from proverbs. And so the Miner Sweatshirt is subtitled “no pain, no gain”. There are also pants, gloves, shoes and a bag in the collection. These multi-colored knitted sweatshirts are handcrafted products.

Joanna SowulaA graphic designer nominated for Newcomer of the Year 2012 STGU. Thanks to scholarships she has studied in Budapest and London. Founder of the creative collective Haja.

Berga lamp“Berga” means “lump” in Silesian. The lampsha-de structure is based on the classic geometric form, but the idea relies on the contrast: crude shapes make a harmonious form. The product received “Must Have” honour during Łódź Design 2012.

Kafti DesignThe Kafti Design Company designs, manufac-tures and sells everyday objects. The products are characterized by interesting design; they are original, functional and environmentally friendly. Affordable, but at the same time they meet the visual criteria reflecting trends in contemporary design.

A History of the Black StoneA book for children. The main character and the narrator is a likeable lump of coal named Carbon. In an accessible but magical way, the book introduces us into the world of miner’s work and talks about its role in the history of civilization. It is for children understand how important the work of their great-grandpa-rents was. The book is maintained in black and white colors. The illustrations are drawn with a pencil and charcoal techniques close to the topic of the book.

Katarzyna BreczkoA student of Graphic Design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice.

Szyb&JuchtOriginal hand-made bags, each being uni-que, with natural color, smell and texture. It is a combination of raw, durable materials: 100% heavyweight undyed cotton and yuft vegetable-tanned leather that gain in their exceptional character each day. Inspired by Upper Silesia.

KatapulpaRemarkable things with a simple message. Created with passion combined with curiosity. Out of love for natural materials. In accordan-ce with the principle: if you do not have what you like, make it.

FESTThe first volume of an anthology of comic bo-oks from the Silesian Voivodship. The stories are arranged chronologically, from the remote past of Silesia to its distant future.

Tomasz KontnyCreator of the “Fest” anthology and writer of several stories within. Co-founder and publi-sher of the anthology “Tram Tales”.

Mikołaj RatkaA historian from the Museum in Gliwice, co-author of the anthology “Niczego sobie. Comics about Gliwice”. Cartoonist.

Marek TurekAuthor of comic albums “Fastnachtspiel”, “Międzyczas”, “Bajabongo” and “NeST”. Car-toonist.

Black DiamondsThe aim of the project is to extract and process one ton of coal into a work of art - grinded and polished like jeweler’s diamond. The final step is to install the stand with “diamonds” in the shopping center. This is a utopian attempt to restore unemployed former miners (the artist hired them to process the coal) to the world of capital and liberal politics. It is also a question about the meaning of artistic activities today.

Łukasz SurowiecAn interdisciplinary artist, sculptor, performer, video creator and author of events in public spaces.

CZAKO+nOSTRAShirts designed to strengthen Silesian identity and the possibility of its manifestation.– If you are proud of Silesia and love it as we do, show it to the others! – encourage the creators.

LuxExSilesiaProducts by Lux Ex Silesia are based on the original designs. They are created in limited series and only in collaboration with com-panies from Silesia. Each piece comes from Silesian providers; each service connected with the production process is commissioned in Silesia. – Buying Silesian products and services you support our region – say founders of the por-tal.

Sadza SoapBlack soap in the shape of a lump of coal is a product inspired by the Silesia Region, where coal has always been the greatest wealth.It is a combination of Silesian design, usability, care for the environment and the tradition of mining in the region. It is not only completely new quality in the field of souvenir items, but also an excellent cosmetic. The soap is gentle and suitable for all types of skin, even the most sensitive ones.Dermatologically tested.

Mamami StudioA creative group, the founder is Marta Frank, curator of the exhibition Węgiel BOOM!

Carbon cushionsInspired by Silesia, an attempt to tame stereo-types by changing the function of the object.Coal associated with something hard and dir-ty becomes a soft pillow on which you can lay down comfortably and fall asleep, dreaming a beautiful dream about Silesia. This project was executed within Haja collective.

Matylda SałajewskaAn interactive artist operating in film, installa-tions and design. She has already made nume-rous exhibitions and participated in festivals in Poland and abroad. The winner of the Śląska Rzecz 2010 competition for the best design in the category of Visual Identification of 2010.

Miner and the DevilTransformacyje”Miner and the Devil” is a series of graphics inspired by the parable of Aleksander Widera made in technology of duotone. “TRANSFOR-MACYJE. Illustrations inspired by the history and architecture of Upper Silesia” is a pictorial guide to the places that have changed their form and function over the years. Objects are marked on the map; also brief historical notes and a set of images before and after the trans-formation are added.

Sebastian WańkowiczGraphic designer and illustrator, a graduate from the Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice.

Laurel Louse PharrellCollection for spring / summer 2013 domina-ted by two trends: a tribute to the 1920’s and inspiration drawn from 1980’s. They share fetishism and the ideology of S&M. The domi-nant color is black with touches of raspberry and cobalt. The leitmotif is laurel crown - the same as on a miner’s shako.

THUNDER BLONDThis brand philosophy is based on the idea of the versatility of typefaces, trimmings and fabrics used.According to its creator and designer Maciej Banasiak, fashion is ongoing fun with yourself, your body and the surroundings.

Lump Lamp ("Bryła")Decorative hanging lamp was inspired by the fascination with a lump of coal. On the surfa-ce it may seem heavy and overwhelming, but changes its character after lighting the bulb.Geometric divisions revive the light passing through the structure of the fabric. Vague form allows the user to change its shape and form indentations and protuberances.

wzorroThe project group Wzorro creates exposures, events arrangements, interiors, and products. They look for unexpected and obscure, yet functional solutions.