“Whirlpool” by Oskar Zięta

During a debate (organised by Marro) about the role of art and design in the process of transformation of a shopping centre (Shopping Centre Forum 2017) one of the discussed projects was a sculpture designed by Oskar Zięta for Galeria Północna (GTC).

The author considers himself to be an engineer rather than an artist. He is a creator of FiDU technology which invloves inflating two welded pieces of steel. The air blown in gives the material a 3D quality, always slightly different, there are no identical forms. The technology is tested for different, experimental uses. Its best known example are PLOPP stools. Not long ago there has been a new construction in the city space – „Nawa” on Daliowa Island in Wrocław..

– “Whirlpool” is the largest standing sculpture we’ve made in our workshop – admits Oskar Zięta – The inspiration was a water whirlpool, which passes through all floors in Galeria Północna in a steel form. Slender, narrowing shape of the profiles ensures that the sculpture is subtle and delicate, despite its large size.

The form was created by means of parametric design. It consists of five profiles 24 meters high and weighing 2,5 tonnes. “Whirlpool” was not only a design challenge but also a logistic one. It was transported from a workshop in Zielona Góra by a special road transport and installed before attaching roof to the structure.

More behind the scenes details in the video below: