Iceland Spain Latvia Wales Poland Ireland

Jacob Kestenberg`s factory

“Factory of Phantasmagoria”
September 15 – November 01 2005

“Factory of Phantasmagoria” is a common artistic project that will be realized at the old textile factory, one of the biggest industrial complex in Lodz from the XIX century. The future of these objects lies in trade, service, entertainment and culture, and the artists are an outpost of the new transformations. Incredible atmosphere, coexistance of art, friendly to architecture and entertainment, together with modern education, is the source of force for this undertaking. Dialog between the past and cultural future which is one of the priorities if the city, is an integral part of the common artists’ effort in Jacob Kestenberg`s factory. This exchange of the European identities, taking place in the city of the past multicultural character, in context of historical objects and new media, is basic for the Factory of Phantasmagoria project.

The City
The Promised Land. Sanctuary of manufacturers. City of Factories. This is the way Lodz is being described. Being the second biggest city in Poland, Lodz has been always associated with an industry, and most often with its symbol, a factory. Some of the old factories function till now, others have been transformed into public or office buildings, the rest have become abandoned.

History of the factory
1864-1927
Jakub Kestenberg establishes a small wool weaving plant, mechanized in the 80s. First the production embodies half-wood plaids, then an assortment widens into flannel and other wool fabrics. Before 1900 the cotton mill starts, and in 1913 the plant is transformed into joint-stock company, Jakub Kestenberg Cotton Manufacture Joint-Stock Company. Capital 2,000,000 zloty in 4000 shares. 1050 workers. Between two wars the company includes cotton mill, dye-works and finish halls on the corner of Nowotargowa St. (now Sterling St.) and Cegielniana St. (now Jaracza St.). The company rents a part of Henryk Kutner Cotton Mill and Chaim Zylbler Weaving Mill. In 1927 it goes bankrupt.

1935-1939
Naum Eitington buys the manufacture that went under the hammer.

During the World War 2 factory becomes a shoe manufacture till 1946. Then it transforms into the Lodz Cloth Industry Manufacture, later called "Emfor" Joint-Stock Telimena Group.

At present - Academy of Humanities and Economics.

Partners:
International Artists' Museum Association, 'Patio' Art Center, Lodz City Council, The Lodz Voivodship.

view of Kestenberg Factory (19th Century)
view of Kestenberg Factory (19th Century)

Kestenberg Factory today
Kestenberg Factory today

part of the factory where the exhibition took place
part of the factory where the exhibition took place