Marta Kołacz

Marta Kołacz is a Lecturer in the Department of Art History and Theory at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk, specializing in design history and architectural heritage. She teaches courses on design history, theory, criticism, and semantics within the Faculty of Architecture and Design. Her work focuses on preserving and interpreting Polish design and architecture from the mid-20th century, particularly addressing overlooked post-war contexts.

Education:

• Bachelor's in Protection of Cultural Property, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń (2008)
• Postgraduate studies in Public Relations, Gdańsk University of Technology (2008)

Research interests include:

• Polish design history (1945–1989)
• Material culture and obsolescence
• Modernist architecture preservation
• Design's social and political dimensions

Curatorial work includes exhibitions like Don't Forget About Me (2010) and Breakthrough: Architecture in Poland after 1989 (2015), emphasizing forgotten narratives. She co-founded the TORMIAR Festival of Architecture and Design and advises the DESK Design Collective research group. Her scholarship explores how design objects reflect societal values and historical eras.

Awards: Recipient of the MKiDN Young Poland scholarship (2008).

Advising: Mentor for DESK Design Collective. Grants: Research focuses on post-war interior preservation challenges, such as the destroyed Aula UMK interior by Lech Kłosiewicza.

Labs/Teams: Curator at the Centre for Contemporary Art Znaki Czasu in Toruń, leading projects like PRZEprojekt for emerging artists (2011–2014).