"The Invisible Quarter" is an illustration project that explores the subtle interweaving of reality and memory.

The project explores themes of memory, adaptation and urban landscapes, bringing to the discussion the effect of random associations in urban environments. Particular attention is paid to Warsaw and its relationship with the landscapes of other cities, reconstructed on the basis of memories.

To implement it, a typology was chosen based on the stories of Belarusian emigrants in Warsaw. The main concept of the project is to “limit” the points of contact between memory spaces and real places.

Using electronic maps and photographs of the city, I created unique cityscapes that touched on the personal memories of the main characters. The created “objects” illustrate the non-obvious aspects that these characters brought with them - something that serves as additional psychological support and provides security.

These mechanisms play a key role in helping people cope with stress and adapt to difficult circumstances. They become a support for regulating emotions, working with identity, maintaining connections to family and culture, and caring for mental health. Emigration is not only a move from one geographical location to another, but also a huge cultural, social and individual change. In times of political tension and war, this transition becomes even more difficult and requires significant adaptation.

The goal of the project is to show not only the side of pain and suffering, but also a new world, new personalities, a new reality in which emigrants find themselves. It is important to show the adaptation process as a positive phenomenon that carries not only challenges, but also new opportunities and prospects.

Curator: Sasha Velichko.

Retoucher: Vika Adamova.

Translator: Bożena Siamionava.

Text editor: Maria Berezka.

Special thanks to: Marzena Michałek-Dąbrowska.