Beauty Bałuty

The “Beauty Bałuty” neon installation is located near the intersection of Wojska Polskiego and Franciszkańska streets in Łódź. It was designed by Daniel Tworski, a Łódź-based graphic designer known as Gouda. The sign plays on words, transforming “Bałuty”, the name of the district, into “Beauty” through the alternating illumination of its letters. Measuring approximately 5.5 metres wide and 2.5 metres high, the neon changes its lettering every few seconds. It was conceived as a kind of urban welcome sign, highlighting the distinctive character and identity of this part of Łódź.

Bałuty has a rich and complex history: before being incorporated into Łódź in 1915, it was a rapidly growing industrial settlement and, in the early 20th century, one of the most densely populated villages in Europe. The district was home to Polish, Jewish and German communities, and during the Second World War, the German occupation authorities established the Łódź Ghetto there. Today, historic Bałuty is also a setting for local artistic initiatives that help tell the story of the district’s identity. Gouda’s work fits into this context: his projects, including the neon installation, draw attention to the local character and identity of the neighbourhood.