In the Factory, in Łódź, in the City. Reconstructing the Industrial Past of a Place

Abstract

<jats:p>The paper discusses an interdisciplinary research project (2014–2016) concerning the industrial heritage of Łódź, as exemplified by the former Monopol Wódczany, which is today converted for the purposes of new, cultural and service functions. The aim of ethnographic and archaeological activities was to collect oral histories and artefacts, which not only documented the history of the factory, but also presented the professional biographies of its workers, meaning people whose lives had been intertwined with the activity of the company. Thanks to such a research assumption, the researchers were able to reconstruct the industrial past of the place based on memories, artefacts collected, and archive surveys. The Author describes the idea behind the project, its methodology and results, using the notions of industrial heritage and urban narratives as the analytical context.</jats:p>

Teaching Museology, Understanding the Museum. On the Increased Need for Dialogue, Listening, and Observation (Voice From Łódź)

“…2 For several years, museology was taught here by Prof. Jan Święch and Prof. Prof. Anna Nadolska-Styczyńska, both of whom have extensive practical experience. The majority of the current research and teaching staff at IEiAKUŁ have published on museology or collecting [Kaniowska 2014;Kępiński 2007;Krupa-Ławrynowicz 2019;Kuźma 1998;Białkowski, Latocha 2020;Nowina-Sroczyńska 2007;Orszulak-Dudkowska 2021;Piątkowska 2007] and collaborate on various levels with numerous ethnographic museums in the country. The Institute's formalised cooperation with the Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum in Łódź, including educational initiatives, is governed by an appropriate agreement.…”