MIASTA #ŻENAROWERACH //exhibition

To get to know a city one needs to ride across it back and forth on a bicycle, learn at least one local slang word, see cool hangouts, drink coffee at local specialty cafes, get to know a legend (not necessarily an urban one), see a few sunsets, and if possible sunrises. To play bike polo one needs to ride a bicycle, find a group of two-wheel enthusiasts, a ball, mallets, large tough surface and two goals. After these preparations it's time to accept the basic rule - "don't overestimate rules", and you're ready to play. You don't know what bike polo is? C'mon! #ohonbicycles In his works Stan Baranski combines two things. First - LOOK! Look in a way to see (know) more. Watch cities and get to know their specifics. Second - PLAY. Take part in a niche sport that dwells in urban areas. The exhibition is a result of riding, playing and getting to know cities over the course of last couple of years. It is a subjective look at a few cities seen through the viewfinder and from a cyclist's perspective. Piotr Sikora

Come to the beautiful Pauza in Garden to see a few of my pictures in real life. Exhibition open all February. Opening Monday 1st at 7PM. #bethere #żenarowerach More info on facebook.

last sunny days of autumn

community center in warsaw

Warsaw is going local. It's a fact. After four years of living here on and off, I can clearly observe how neighborhoods are starting to thrive on their own. It's pretty unprecedented for Poland and I'm happy to see it. This structure, Służewski Dom Kultury (Community and Cultural Center of Służew) is a brand new complex. It's embedded into a lovely park of Dolina Służewiecka. I used to work right by the construction site and I was sadden with a sight of something being built in the park. However they did a great job blending the architecture with nature, and created an organic place which is pleasant to be in. Hopefully it'll serve well the local community!

downtown warsaw sky

July happens to be the most rainy of the months I was finally out and about to take advantage of the beautiful sky and photo safari the city a little bit.

warsaw on fire

Yesterday a fire broke out at the construction site of one of the new skyscrapers. I happened to be cycling right at the foot of the structure...

biały

@ mały antek's birthday! happy birthday!

gritty downtown warsaw

One of my yesterday's submissions to my instagram feed. I'm posting daily now, drop me a comment so I can see YOUR pictures! #cameraphone

this is wola

It's only after a few years of living in Warsaw that I'm starting to see that Warsaw is indeed a city of neighborhoods. I will most certainly discover neighborhoods of Warszawa more thoroughly; so far this single shot from one of my most recent favorites - Wola.

national stadium in wintertime

Warsaw's got a huge National Stadium for the 2012 Football Euros (on the site of an old communist' era stadium.) It happens so, It's the only place to practice bike polo in such weather in the capital. Check out these pictures of the snow-covered dome, and the polo court Polish Hardcourt Bike Polo Assn. put together last Monday.

2013 / 2014

A post to mark the meaningless celebration of New Year. The bottom picture is from central Warsaw and was taken in 2014. The buildings, including "Rotunda" are usually covered with large advertisements. The top picture is from 2013 (NYE) and depicts a scenery of Bemowo district, about 10 km North-West from the Center. I wish you all more pictures on this blog in 2014!

fall collection

Most of the times I hang out with Antek we're doing fun stuff, like cycling, climbing, or winter hiking in the mountains (all these links refer to this year's posts.) This time though, we were both stuck in Warsaw.

warsaw protests backwardness

November 11 is the Independence Day in Poland. However, instead celebrating over two decades of freedom in our country It's an occasion to show how much divided we are. Last Monday three different events took place in Warsaw. One of them was the "Independence March". Some of the people taking part in it attacked the Russian embassy, there was a siege of two downtown Warsaw's squats, and newly refurbished rainbow - a giant arch on the Savior square was burnt. Friday was the day for all of the Varsovians, including myself, who do not accept this. There was marching, chanting and kissing under the corpse of the rainbow. No throwing stones, breaking trees, setting cars on fire. Peaceful. This comes out of a anger, yes. But we hate them for hating everything different then themselves in the first place. And we show our disagreement in a civilized way. Glad to see so many people thinking the same way. Look up more information on last week's events, for instance this Guardian piece.