Kłobuk na drogę is an interactive and mobile urban installation which was presented at the 13th MIASTOmovie urban film festival between 1-5.10.2025 by me (Alicja Zwierz) and an artist Wiktoria Kucharczak.
Kłobuk, kołbuk – in Slavic beliefs, a demon who protects property and the home hearth. Identified with the soul of a dead foetus. It most often took the form of a wet hen, but also a duck, goose, magpie, crow, cat, and even a human.
We have created a mobile pyramid of urban magic in response to these fears. It will contain talismans, totems, suggestions for activities and recipes for how to deal with and understand your fears of unknown or incomprehensible urban phenomena.
Are you afraid of flooding in your neighbourhood sharing dining concepts where a plate of potatoes starts at £50? As part of our remedial action, we offer a map of local milk bars.
Are you afraid of your neighbours, don't trust them and feel that they will report you to the cooperative at the earliest opportunity? Our cow-shaped sweet, ‘neighbourly eye’, with a quote about breaking the ice with the wonders of neighbourly life, will not only act as motivation but also as an excuse to talk, open up and understand the other side.
Are you afraid that you will be killed by an unregistered electric scooter travelling at over 25 km/h? Here is a talisman with the image of St. Christopher.
Ubiquitous concrete, and thus a lack of shade and sunstroke to boot. We will distribute flour to throw into the wind of an empty square when the sun is beating down in order to gain the favour of the Planetary Spirit responsible for fighting the elements of the defensive demon (note: you can also have him as an enemy). For those willing, grass seeds to scatter in the cracks of the concrete.
The mobile pyramid moved with us (your guides through your urban fears) around the festival grounds and Wrocław and talk to its residents and visitors. The final form may also be exhibited on the remaining days of the festival, together with a toolkit we have created, which tells the myth of each object in the pyramid.
More about the project on the festival's website: Kłobuk for the road/The moving pyramid
