Stocznia / Shipyard

Documents of Loss

Michał Szlaga

The Gdańsk Shipyard was the birthplace of the Solidarność labour union. Founded in 1980, it would give rise to the democratic movement in Poland and contribute to the fall of the Eastern Bloc. Since then, many of the shipyard’s historic buildings have given way to the mise-en-scène of a new, post-communist East; currently, a luxury shopping centre is being built there. Michał Szlaga began documenting the gradual transformation of this significant site fourteen years ago. He was 22 years old at the time and lived in an artists’ community on the premises. He photographed buildings before and after their demolition and portrayed decayed interiors as well as some of the workers. Szlaga’s project has grown into an extensive archive and photographic monument, making him one of the most important Polish documentary photographers of his generation. Recently, Szlaga travelled with his camera to the Indian city of Alang, where ships once built in Gdańsk are now being dismantled. The exhibition features 35 photographs, a projection with 24 slides, and a film about Szlaga’s journey to Alang.