Sea Salt Totems

Totems is a series of sculptures in the Sea Salt housing estate in Gdańsk’s Zaspa, created by the Traffic Design collective in 2024.

Object: This group of sculptures located in the Sea Salt residential complex in Gdańsk’s Zaspa district was created by the Traffic Design collective. The abstract forms are inspired by salt experiments and structures formed during the crystallisation process. The sculptures have a rough texture resembling organic forms, mimicking the appearance of marine salt crystals. The sculptures are characterised by light colours, reflecting the natural shades of salt. Seven totems of varying sizes form a composition that includes a seating element, a bird waterer, and other forms titled Cut, Pebbles and Compote Dish.

The sculptures were initiated by the developer, Robyg, whose management decided to introduce artistic details and forms to enhance the atmosphere of the newly established residential complex. The project was designed by Aleksandra Godlewska, and the totems were produced at the Traffic Design gallery, which was transformed into a sculpture workshop for the project under the direction of Aleksandra Józefów. The team of artists employed a range of experimental and own techniques to give the sculptures varied finishes, shades, and textures.

Location: The sculptures are placed in an open courtyard on a publicly accessible green space within the Sea Salt complex in Zaspa, located at 20 Jana Pawła II Avenue. The totems stand directly on the lawn, surrounded by small garden plants and rowan trees. The installation sits at the intersection of modern residential architecture (adjacent to the Robyg building) and late-1970s to early-1980s housing blocks visible in the background (Zaspa Rozstaje estate). Nearby landmarks include small commercial pavilions, the Specialist Hospital of St. Adalbert, the Sanctuary of Divine Providence Parish, and the Monument to Pope John Paul II by Mariusz Kulpa (https://gaps.gda.pl/obiekt/pomnik-jana-pawla-ii/). Jana Pawła II Avenue, where the sculptures are located, occupies the former runway of the Gdańsk-Wrzeszcz Airport, operational between 1919 and 1974. The Zaspa district, along with the Zaspa Rozstaje estate, was built on the site of this decommissioned airport.

Information about the author: The project was realised by the Traffic Design team, composed of: Ola Godlewska – project author, Andrzej Bastrikin – executive project manager, prodiction coordinator, Aleksandra Józefów – sculptural collaboration, Andrzej Bastrikin, Renia Maj, Jacek Wielebski – design support. Coordinators: Natalia Wielebska, Michał Lech.

Established in 2011 in Gdynia, Traffic Design is a multidisciplinary association focusing on art and design in public spaces, placemaking, and cultural event organisation. Their goal is to explore the character and identity of urban spaces. The group translates urban inspirations into visual identity projects, creative marketing strategies, and innovative cross-disciplinary ventures. They utilise their knowledge and experience in collaboration with both public and private sectors.

Condition of the object: very good

Owner/guardian: Robyg

Author of the entry: Anna Szynwelska