Gallery
Experiment overview
My first grassroots technology initiative that transformed an informal garage space into a vibrant hub for open-source experimentation and community-driven innovation.
The collective intentionally blended technical learning with creative exploration and social connection, proving that meaningful engagement with technology emerges not only from skill acquisition, but from shared cultural context and collaborative imagination.
Main objectives
The project redefined grassroots technology engagement by:
☀︎ Creating an independent physical space for experimentation outside institutional and commercial constraints
☀︎ Developing practical, community-responsive innovations, such as an open-source air quality sensor addressing local environmental concerns
☀︎ Expanding access to technology through multi-format participation: meetups, workshops, installations and film screenings
☀︎ Lowering entry barriers by combining hands-on creativity with approachable technological education
Achieved results
The initiative evolved from an informal garage experiment into a recognized innovation platform, culminating in:
☀︎ Exhibition of collective projects at Zachęta National Gallery of Art in Poland
☀︎ Invitation to conduct workshops at Copenhagen Tech Festival
☀︎ Development of a community-based air quality sensor demonstrating real-world application of open-source tools
☀︎ Delivery of the “Playing Pencil” workshop, where participants created sound-generating devices using graphite’s conductivity translating complex electronic principles into playful, accessible experiences
Main reflection
This journey revealed that community building mirrors good programming practice: it demands clear communication, continuous maintenance and the courage to reset systems when they drift from their original intent.
Despite external recognition, the collective ultimately dissolved due to fundamental misalignment of values within the group. This fracture became its most valuable lesson: technical collaboration without shared ethical and social foundations may produce visible success, yet lacks the cohesion required for sustainable community.
The experience deepened my understanding that resilient technological communities are not defined by tools or outputs alone, but by the integrity and alignment of the values that connect their members.
Thanks to Anka Kuprian and Kuba Borkowski for this journey.