PARALLEL REALITIES
Projects at the Intersection of Cultural Research and Artistic Practice
The common denominator of the artistic-research projects presented below is the exploration of parallel realities — coexisting worlds that differ culturally, materially, symbolically, and sometimes even temporally. These are not fictional realms, but real, often mutually invisible spaces of human experience.
The projects were carried out during residencies, research expeditions, and interdisciplinary inquiries, combining the perspectives of cultural anthropology, speculative design, and contemporary art. The point of departure was material culture — treated as a carrier of identity, memory, and narrative — both real and imagined.
The aim was not to document differences but to seek universal gestures, rituals, and meanings. Comparing cultural experiences through the lens of materiality and everyday aesthetics allows for a deeper understanding of both the Other and ourselves. The resulting works are speculative, dialogic, and hybrid in nature — shaped by the encounter of different realities.
(2023 )Ecualonia – Cultural Parallels, Artistic Uniqueness
A transcultural project aimed at presenting Polish culture and heritage through artistic action. The project is both dialogic and speculative in character. It was developed in the form of an artistic residency consisting of two parts: first, the presentation of Polish culture and heritage; and second, a creative-research phase resulting in new digital hybrid images emerging from the fusion of two distinct cultures. The research stage included data collection and documentation.
Ecualonia is a hypothetical land formed by merging two cultures: Polish and Ecuadorian (Ecuador + Polonia). The project seeks to uncover cultural parallels and weave them into a unique artistic narrative. Its goal was to present Polish culture and heritage in an accessible and comprehensible way for audiences from the South American cultural sphere, and to generate a new, original artistic tale through the imagined fusion of two cultures.
This original project falls within the speculative category and is based on the work of Swedish anthropologist Ulf Hannerz, whose research focuses on transnational cultural processes and globalization. One of Hannerz’s key concepts is cultural creolization — the multidimensional mixing of cultures. He views all cultural spaces as hybrids that interweave, mutate, and coexist. So, what connects us, what sets us apart, and what could emerge from the merging of Polish and Ecuadorian cultures? Which strong elements of national heritage would become even more pronounced through such a process?
Location: Quito, Ecuador — Ecualonia, AI, lecture, presentation by Flisykowska, Central University of Ecuador
(2017 )Parallel Reality – Poland/Nepal
An exhibition exploring daily life and material culture in Nepal as seen through the eyes of a Polish designer. The exhibition was the outcome of a research project titled “Futurology in Design Practice.”
Where we are born and live — our surroundings and reality — become our starting point. Every subsequent experience is compared to those early ones. Geography, history, and access to knowledge shape cultural differences. We share the same needs and are made of the same matter, yet we differ in local and detailed ways. Knowing only our own surroundings, we tend to accept them as the default model and reference point.
Parallel doesn’t mean the same. A distant culture brings other traditions, rituals, languages, and mentalities. What is invisible or insignificant to one society may be of great importance in another. How can we learn something new about ourselves? How can civilization evolve? By shifting our perspective, we see and thus understand more.
The Parallel Reality exhibition was composed of three parts.
Photography by Wiktor Orłowski.
October 2016, University of the Arts in Kathmandu
The presentation was part of a project conducted at the Faculty of Architecture and Design titled “Futurology in Design Practice” and marked the beginning of the Parallel Reality exhibition, developed in partnership with the same university.
