The concept of “city” can be understood in two ways: literally, as a densely populated settlement with organization and legal status; or sentimentally, as a place of sociality, community, and shared goals. Both perspectives are intertwined with the material aspect of cities — the structure, boundaries, and organization, which reflect cultural trends of their time. The Border Inside project emerged in Warsaw, a city shaped by historical traumas like World War II, which left it in ruins. The project focuses on the process of reconstruction, which can be approached in various ways — whether conservatively, ethically, or disruptively — highlighting the continuous transformation of a city, even after it has been rebuilt. Post-war Warsaw was meticulously reconstructed using original plans, not just to restore what was lost, but to heal the city’s memory. In contrast, the Praga district, which survived the war untouched, now faces a challenge of preservation amid gentrification and new development for digital workers. The project explores whether memory should be preserved in an ever-changing context. In a city where the past and future coexist, Border Inside examines the internal borders — physical and temporal — where the old and new intersect, documenting the coexistence of multiple identities within a single city.
