Małgorzata Wesołowska, Gabriela Warzycka-Tutak

Agencja Newport / Newport Agency, 2015

place, action

defunct business premises at 20 Władysława IV Street

 

Małgorzata Wesołowska and Gabriela Warzycka-Tutak have transformed the unused space in Władysława IV Street into a pop‑up estate agent’s office. At present, despite its many assets – a convenient location, proximity to the sea, low population density, green spaces and interesting architecture, not to mention the presence of such institutions as Łaźnia the Centre of Contemporary Art – the district has not experienced much new interest as a place to live and work.

The founders of the Newport Agency will be trading in local properties, not entirely legally and taking advantage of systemic loopholes, bad habits and informal practices. On offer will be commercial premises, attics, garages, apartments for renovation and warehouse buildings, as well as help with arranging renovation permits and architectural consultation. Whilst having created a temporary organisational structure and setting in motion unofficial swapping mechanisms and transfer of information, the artists comment tongue-in-cheek on the inefficiency of administrative procedures and lack of consistency in housing policies. At the same time, the Newport Agency explores local potential, proposing to use it as a basis for an active way of masterminding the future.

Gabriela Warzycka-Tutak (b. 1988) – a graphics graduate, presently a post-graduate at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk. Awarded at the competition Pomeranian Graphic of the Year 2013. Recipient of the rector’s grant in 2013/14, 2011/12. Participated in numerous exhibitions in Poland and abroad.

Małgorzata Wesołowska (b. 1978) – a graduate of the School of Architecture and Design in Oslo and the Faculty of Industrial Design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, currently a post-graduate of the Faculty of Architecture and Design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk. She runs her own project practice and teaches. Author of the winning project in the competition of Zachęta the National Gallery of Art and the British Council (2007). The curator of the exhibition of Polish Design at the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw  (2009).