Retro Warsaw returns to Art Box Experience. Pre-war Warsaw comes back to life at the Norblin Factory.
From 1 July, visitors to Art Box Experience at the Norblin Factory in Warsaw will once again be able to experience Retro Warsaw – one of the most unique and moving immersive exhibitions dedicated to the history of the Polish capital. This extraordinary journey transports visitors to pre-war Warsaw, a city full of energy, contrasts, and vibrant multicultural life.
Using state-of-the-art image reconstruction, colourisation of archival materials, and an immersive projection system, historic Warsaw regains its colours, rhythm, and atmosphere. Black-and-white photographs and films from nearly a century ago have been meticulously restored and presented in a contemporary, engaging format that allows visitors to immerse themselves in the world of the 1920s and 1930s.
The exhibition was created in collaboration with Warsaw historians, researchers, educators, and image restoration specialists. The soundscape has been composed by Jan Młynarski – musician, researcher, and passionate advocate of pre-war Warsaw – whose carefully curated soundtrack recreates the unique atmosphere of the city through music and authentic sounds of the era. Visitors stroll through the streets of historic Warsaw, witness everyday life, discover elegant townhouses, cobbled streets, iconic landmarks, and the city’s distinctive local folklore. Digitally restored archival footage reveals places that now survive only in photographs, as well as the diverse communities, professions, and cultures that shaped Warsaw before the Second World War.
The new edition of the exhibition places an even greater emphasis on Warsaw’s vibrant entertainment scene of the 1920s and 1930s. Visitors can explore an immersive space inspired by the legendary Adria Club, featuring archival photographs, animations, and scenography referencing the city’s famous dance halls. They will also visit Splendid Cinema, where restored archival films and vintage movie posters are presented in cooperation with the National Film Archive – Audiovisual Institute (FINA).
Retro Warsaw is not only a spectacular audiovisual experience but also an emotional story about memory, identity, and the history of a city. It is an exhibition created for Warsaw residents, tourists, families, young audiences, and everyone fascinated by history and urban storytelling.
The exhibition will be on view from 1 July to 31 August, alternating weekly with Leonardo vs. Michelangelo. The Rivalry of Renaissance Geniuses.
We invite you to embark on an unforgettable journey to Warsaw as it was nearly a century ago – a city whose rhythm, sounds, and images once again fill the immersive spaces of Art Box Experience.