Rats. They trigger strong emotions, just like street art. In Łódź, these two have a lot in common because of the local artist – Miedziolka. I had the chance to talk with her and learn more about her perspective on these one-of-a-kind rodents. But not only that.
I hope you’ll enjoy this conversation as much as I did.
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Why rats? What do they have that caught your attention?
The most interesting thing is how strongly most people reject them. And yet they’re animals that have had a huge impact on humanity in many different ways. From being used in research to study patterns of thinking and behaviour, to being tested on in all sorts of experiments. They always seemed controversial to me. And that’s exactly what fascinated me.
I also think they’re very similar to dogs when it comes to attachment. When I had my own little group of rats, every time I walked into the room they would run up to me. They’re really exceptional rodents.
What pushed you toward creating art in the streets?
The beginning of bringing my work into public space was connected to meeting someone who had already been doing it regularly. That was around two years ago.
At the time, I was working mainly in animation, editing, and illustration (and I still do). Back then I got all the tools needed to make stickers and posters. I basically heard: “Here, play around with it.” And I really liked it, so I started putting things up around the city.
At first I made stickers, though I didn’t put up many of them. Later I somehow got into screen printing, and naturally that evolved into posters. I also try to weave in the things that feel “mine,” like crochet or animation, and bring all of that into the city as well.
One of the best feelings is when people I don’t know at all send me photos of my work. When you create pieces only for exhibitions or more formal spaces, it can feel a bit stiff. But in the street, you instantly connect with people. I think that’s what I like most about it.
Where can people find your oldest or longest-lasting piece?
I think the oldest sticker I currently still have up in Łódź is at Spalone Słońcem.
The description of your recent exhibition MASTERS OF ZEN mentioned that form is very important to you. Which medium feels most natural to you right now? Or is experimentation itself the most enjoyable part?
I think it’s the combination of forms.
I started my artistic education in graphic design, but I really missed storytelling there. That’s what pushed me toward animation and illustration. I try hard to connect those older parts of my practice like screen printing or stickers with the new things I’m learning.
That’s probably what gives me the most joy right now: the newer and stranger the combination of forms, the better. At the moment I really enjoy combining crochet – the structure and texture of it with posters.
Speaking of crochet and rats. Some time ago you posted dancing rats on Instagram…
That project consisted of three frames and three types of posters. It combined screen printing, crochet, and animation. Making it wasn’t complicated but photographing – it wasn’t easy, because these pieces don’t always survive in the street, even for a few days.
Earlier I also made a series of stickers created using stencils. That one was more tricky. I think it had around twenty frames, maybe a little less.
Do you crochet pillows too?
I do, though lately I have less time for it. I used to make a lot of things to sell, but eventually I got overwhelmed by it and stopped crocheting for a long time. But now I think I’m going through a bit of a renaissance, which people could probably notice at the MASTERS OF ZEN exhibition. Watching a TV show and crocheting for six hours? No problem.
What’s going to happen to the “giant rat”?
The rat keeps travelling, but there’s a chance we’ll see it again.
Which rat is your favorite?
Hmm… hard to say. I usually get very excited about an idea, but shortly after finishing it, that feeling disappears.
I think my favorite is still the rat-with-a-syringe sticker design. At the very beginning, when I started handing out and putting up those stickers, I heard a lot of opinions and questions about them, including whether they were connected to drugs, which honestly never crossed my mind.
I was thinking more about the way we perceive these animals. A rat can be your best friend, but then you go on Facebook groups and suddenly see hundreds of lab rats being given away. At the same time they can be someone’s companion and just another commodity. That was the idea behind those stickers. But because of all the reactions and interpretations, that design became the most meaningful one for me.
What’s the closest and the furthest goal ahead of you?
Rats are more like an escape for me – I mostly create them for myself. It’s my way of having a part of my creativity where I can let my imagination run free.
When you study art, almost everything you create becomes subject to assessment. You lose that space where you simply create for yourself. Rats became that space for me. So I don’t really make long-term plans for them.
What inspires you?
Mostly other people and life itself. Ideas usually come from situations or conversations.
The only time music directly inspired me was with the song “Stoję” by Syny. It resulted in a textile piece that was shown at the exhibition – I just illustrated what the song is about.
Favorite rat spot?
I don’t really have one. Usually it’s just places I happen to walk through, places where the piece feels right in the moment. Subconscious choices.
Do the rats stay at home, or do they travel too?
The rats always travel with me.
Let’s talk a bit about Łódź. Would you recommend living here?
The longer I stay, the more I like it. Definitely.
At first I liked the fact that I didn’t know the city at all. Though pretty quickly I found myself surrounded by people who absolutely hated the place. Back then I lived near Limanka (common name for Limanowskiego street, on Baluty), which has a pretty rough reputation. Riding the tram through there every day, I genuinely couldn’t believe some of the things I saw.
But the more people I meet, the more I enjoy the atmosphere of the city. I also keep discovering new places. It’s already my fourth year here, and I really like it.
The only thing I miss in Łódź – maybe because I’m from Bydgoszcz – is a river. There are parks with water, but it feels so crowded that everyone ends up there.
You took part in Ravekjavik. What other events or places would you recommend?
I usually just keep checking what’s happening in the city instead of waiting for specific events. A lot of interesting things happen at the ASP Gallery on Piotrkowska, and that’s probably where I go most often.
As a space, I really like Art Inkubator, though I rarely end up there for events.
What’s the last great piece you noticed on Łódź walls?
It’s hard to choose right now, but when I first moved to Łódź – before I was even interested in graffiti or anything similar – I kept noticing works by Opera from EROTIK KLUB everywhere. They really stood out to me, even though I hadn’t paid attention to graffiti before.
How should the city and fans support local art?
Personally, when there are artists I appreciate, I simply bring their work into my own space. I think that’s a good way of supporting people. But I also understand that everyone has a different relationship with art in their everyday life.
What track should be playing in someone’s headphones while they’re out in the city hunting for the Rats?
So, what’s next?
Check out the artist’s Instagram. There’s plenty more waiting there!
Looking for more street art? Check this:
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