The Messaggio collection by Dorota Koziara is featured in the exhibition “Human. Emotions. Space. Object.” at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, held in conjunction with the first international edition of the Interior Architecture Connects Europe conference. The events are organized by SAW— the Association of Interior Architects—and the exhibition is curated by Anna Olga Chmielewska and Małgorzata Szczepańska. Polish artists and brands were invited to participate in the project, which was designed to have interior architects interpret a selected product. The Messaggio lamps served as the starting point for an original installation created by Magdalena Krupczak and Karolina Strojecka-Kwapisz. The opening, attended by Dorota Koziara, took place on September 18.
Polish Design in a European Context
The exhibition “Human. Emotions. Space. Object.” explores contemporary Polish interior architecture and its identity, shaped at the intersection of architecture, design, art, and craftsmanship. The organizers highlight the quality of Polish design, strong craft traditions, an awareness of materials, and the collaboration between architects, designers, manufacturers, and creators.
The international context of the exhibition is also significant, as it accompanied “Interior Architecture Connects Europe” —an event whose first edition took place in Poland and combined the General Assembly of the European Council of Interior Architects (ECIA) with a forum dedicated to contemporary interior architecture. The ECIA brings together 22 professional associations from across Europe, and the Warsaw meeting created a space for discussion on topics such as the future of the profession, education, regulations, and collaboration between architecture, art, design, science, and technology.
The exhibition introduces the European public to Polish design and its place in the contemporary debate on interior architecture. As the curators emphasize, Polish designers are increasingly present not only on the domestic market but also in international projects, competitions, publications, and discussions about design, and their body of work continues to be discovered by European audiences.
Image featuring the “Messaggio” collection by Dorota Koziara at the exhibition “Human, Emotions, Space, Object”
© Lena Lighting
Messaggio in the narrative of the exhibition
The concept behind the exhibition “Human. Emotions. Space. Object.” goes beyond a traditional product presentation. Selected projects by Polish designers and manufacturers served as the starting point for creating original spatial installations designed by interior architects.
In one of these installations, the Messaggio collection—designed by Dorota Koziara for the illu brand—plays a central role. The installation, titled “Surprise,” was created by architects Magdalena Krupczak and Karolina Strojecka-Kwapisz of Kanon Design. Messaggio is an extensive collection of pendant lamps, floor lamps, and wall sconces in various shapes and sizes, giving architects the freedom to create diverse compositions. The collection was created with both private and public interiors in mind, offering a variety of solutions that allow for creating atmosphere through light alone.
In the “Surprise” installation, the designers used pendant lamps and small wall sconces to create intriguing lighting compositions. The cobalt, black, and white flowing fabrics used in the arrangement emphasize the mystery and atmosphere of the entire installation, while also highlighting the role of light in the interior and the color palette of the Messaggio lamps. The installation also features an envelope motif, alluding to the name of the Messaggio collection—“message.”
Image of the Messaggio collection by Dorota Koziara at the exhibition “Human, Emotions, Space, Object”
© Lena Lighting
The “Surprise” installation by Magdalena Krupczak and Karolina Strojecka-Kwapisz
In designing this exhibition, we wanted to create a space that not only showcases design but also employs the architecture of emotions and draws the visitor into a sensory journey. We chose Messaggio lamps because their geometric form—resembling a folded letter—serves as a physical vessel for light and meaning, both of which require the right setting and time to fully resonate. The scenography guides guests from ethereal brightness and tranquility, through mounting curiosity, all the way to an intimate, deep-blue room of mystery inspired by the atmosphere of *Alice in Wonderland*, where light creates a palpable tension and the satisfaction of discovery
—say Magdalena Krupczak and Karolina Strojecka-Kwapisz of Kanon Design.
This presentation format effectively showcases the possibilities of Messaggio—a collection designed with freedom of composition and the use of light in a variety of projects in mind. Individual lamps can function on their own or form larger compositions—ranging from subtle to bold, resembling works of art in character. The option to customize colors allows them to be further tailored to an individual interior concept.
Image featuring the Messaggio collection by Dorota Koziara at the “Human, Emotions, Space, Object” exhibition—pictured: Dorota Koziara
© Lena Lighting
Dorota Koziara at the opening
Dorota Koziara —one of Poland’s most acclaimed designers, whose body of work spans design, interior architecture, art, and projects for Polish and international brands—attended the exhibition opening. The creator of the Messaggio collection for illu has been presenting her designs at major design events for years. Dorota Koziara’s presence at the opening complemented the presentation of Messaggio—a collection showcased at the exhibition in a specially designed installation.
The exhibition is open through September 25, 2026, daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, located at 37 Wybrzeże Kościuszkowskie. Admission is free.
illu —a new brand from Lena Lighting, born out of the need to create natural, emotional, and harmonious light that resonates with both space and people. The illu team collaborates with renowned figures in the world of design, such as Dorota Koziara and Marcin Szczelina, to create lighting collections where technology meets emotion and aesthetics meet functionality. In the brand’s philosophy, light is more than just a piece of furniture—it is a tool for creating atmosphere and defining a space’s identity. illu’s designs combine quality, simplicity, and emotion, becoming an integral part of interiors and the daily rhythm of life. The illu brand operates in the spirit of sustainable development, respecting the natural environment and adopting a responsible approach to the production process. Each lighting solution is designed with durability, functionality, and harmony in mind—so that the light serves people and spaces for years to come.
For more information, visit the Lena Lighting S.A. company page on the PdA portal.
