The 80s TV series “Alternatywy 4”, directed by one of the most popular Polish directors of the time, Stanisław Bareja, was first aired in 1986. Relating to outrageous happenings in a block of flats in ul. Alternatywy (in reality filmed in ul. Grzegorzewskiej 3 in Ursynów) and its new tennants during the Peoples‘ Republic of Poland, the series was partly censored.

Ursynów is one of Warsaw’s districts, located in the south of the city — it was the first district to get access to the metro. But Ursynów was perceived as a dull district, a “bedroom of Warsaw” with no easy access to culture. The authors of the mural I’m writing about today wanted to stir debate about this stereotype and to remind people of Ursynów as a showcase district of the 70s, a place that was built following Scandinavian values. Many small squares, lots of green, walking alleys – Ursynów was so different from other greyish estates of the time.

Two Alternatywy murals around ul. Grzegorzewskiej were supported by the participatory budget of Warsaw. The idea came from Bartek Podlewski (creator of the initiative “Murals of Warsaw” and creative director of  Bakcyl Studio) and Goretta Szymańska (member of the Ursynów council). Together with the murals, a bench commemorating the series was placed and a re-painting of a wall and the renovation of the surrounding green were planned. The graphic design was delivered by Bartek Podlewski (mural “Klatka”), Marcin Ślusarczyk (mural “Plan zdjęciowy”) and Zuzanna Podlewska (mural “Czołówka”).

Check Ursynowskie Murale’s Instagram for more details.