Shopping

Several times a year an interesting and fresh visual feast takes place in Warsaw: an art market where students and ex-students (but who have left the Academy no longer than 2 years before) of the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw exhibit their works. This is not only a chance to look at the youngest Warsaw art ideas, but also to buy some original works at a fair price.

The market has something for everyone: all possible materials (graphic art, paintings, handicrafts, even arty toys) and all possible types (avant-garde, abstract, still life) of art are exhibited. The degree of novelty of the ideas differs: some students paint Klimt in their own colors beautifully, some have their own surprising styles (line-wise paintings that almost look like woven on canvas, huge black or gray girls sitting, Africa-influenced pictures in lurid, gaudy colors).

Remember: the idea behind the market is that it should be an opportunity to meet the artists and to chat a little bit, so make the most of it and always try to haggle over the price.

In the winter time Targowisko took place in ul. Hoża 51, now it’s come back to Arkady Kubickiego. The first one was on the 24th of March, the next one is coming this Sunday, 26th May. Other details can be found on their website.

Fundacja Bęc Zmiana (which roughly translates to “Bump Change Foundation“) is an important point of Warsaw culture and its art scene. Established in 2002, and directed by Bogna Świątkowska, Fundacja Bęc Zmiana has contributed throughout the years to the renaissance of Warsaw cultural life. It was Bęc Zmiana that initiated the changes of Powiśle district (exactly on the riverside). They brought three, pink illuminated deers there (I would describe them rather as reindeers) which was kind of the “beginning of the beginning” of turning Powiśle into what it is now: an area full of students and packed with cafes and bars, but not yet gentrified. Bęc Zmiana has also created a collection of new Warsaw city gadgets (for example a kind of stress ball in the shape of Warsaw’s Palace of Culture).

I really enjoy visiting the shop of Bęc Zmiana at Mokotowska. It is not only about 5 minutes from where I live, but it also offers a chance to get a new cool book on Warsaw or to get info about upcoming events. Bęc Zmiana publishes their one guide about cultural events in Warsaw (Notes.Na.6.Tygodni). I also highly recommend their map for young travellers “Use-it-Warsaw” (to download here).

I think that partly thanks to Bęc Zmiana it became popular among Varsovians to be fascinated with Warsaw and its past. This should be definitely considered as a well-earned success. 

Note: Their English website is kept up-to date and many of the books are also in English

This placde is a mekka for all slow food (and good coffee) freaks in Warsaw.

Friendly interiors and this extra something that makes you really know why you like this place. For example: some time ago Szara Cegła organised a meeting with a honey producer and made him talk about the processes in production, types of honey etc. Original? Maybe. Szara Cegła calls it local.

Szara Cegła is also one of the co-organisers of Le Targ (in Polish it means Le Market or, as one word, lethargy), a market of healthy & slow food in ul. Aldony 5. Le Targ hosts locals food providers, such as fish, cheese, honey and other producers. The idea behind it is a short distribution chain (you buy directly from the providers). It’s supposed to be understood as help and support for local & real people selling their products.

Le Targ is opened every Thursday between 11:00 – 20:00 and every Saturday between 10:00 – 18:00.

Red Onion for me is the equivalent of creativity, friendly ideas and an “edge”, with which all, even the smallest, things are designed.

The shop offers possibly anything you can dream of for your home – lamps, innovative furniture, stylish and visually attractive objects of everyday use for kitchen (utensils, knives, lunch-boxes in every shape and color) or bathroom (bath cubes packed in funny ways, cosmetics and towels). Apart from that, there are also books, notebooks, clocks, bags, unique jewelery pieces and much more for sale. Also children will feel well here – there is a colorful and most inviting children’s corner in there.

What I particularly like about Red Onion is that their design is not what you usually find in shops offering house accessories and furniture – simple ideas, re-thought and warmed up, just to be served in a different way (or color). Red Onion’s interiors invite the shopper with complex, revolutionary things that you can afford to buy. Also these small corridors between the rows full of fresh designer objects are quite pleasing – you really feel as if you were at home already. Maybe that is why you want to have it all?

I first came up upon Fafarafa accidentally on FB and quite liked their products.

The products are divided into 1. the Moomins (!) where you find all sorts of products from Tove Jansson’s books (bags, purses, tins, glass balls), 2. La Marelle, 3. calendars, 4. Christmas, 5. decorations and accessories, 6. children, 7. wallpaper (the biggest section, almost 300 types in any color and form), 8. around the table, 9. bathroom, 10. home office, 11. gadgets, 12. bags.

A great idea of Fafarafa is to join original, very expensive furniture and quite cheap products – this way everybody will find something for him-/herself. I love their hangers (deer, dinosaurs, bisons), fridge magnets and office stuff.