Olga Madler

The idea for the installation derives from the Polish word podwórko, which means a courtyard surrounded by buildings. Beyond its definition, podwórko carries rich cultural connotations as a space for play, daily encounters, and interactions between people and their environment. Using podwórko as a conceptual frame, I encourage playful and attentive engagement with the smilingly mundane parts of the urban space—old play structures, accidental marks, or surfaces worn by time. My practice treats the city as a site for treasure hunts, during which I uncover various overlooked finds. The installation transforms often unnoticed fragments of the urban landscape into a magical experience. It invites the audience to practice attentiveness, not only in the gallery space but also outside.