Photo: Kai Vöckler / VG Bild Kunst
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04.10.08 – 04.01.2009
BALKANOLOGY
New Architecture and Urban Phenomena
in South Eastern Europe
Curated by Kai Vöckler
In the western Balkans, the collapse of the socialist economic system in Yugoslavia and Albania has given rise to extensive informal building activity that represents a new form of urbanisation. The question is: how far do such urban transformations indicate patterns of future development for European cities in general? The exhibition uses examples from projects in Belgrade, Zagreb, Kotor, Prishtina and Tirana to illustrate the way architects, artists, urbanists and activists are dealing with these rapid new transformation processes. The outstanding yet hardly known buildings of socialist modernism in Yugoslavia are compared and contrasted with contemporary architecture.
»Balkanology« opens a new field of architectural discourse in Switzerland —the little-known architecture of the post-socialist period and the result of unregulated, uncontrolled urban planning in the countries of South Eastern Europe. The exhibition focuses on the impact of recent socio-political changes on architecture and urban planning.
The situation in South Eastern Europe is prototypical for urban development in transitional and post-conflict situations, from Prishtina to Belgrade, where weak or missing institutional structures make it impossible to achieve the regulation of construction processes. The wild, volatile spread of informal building structures is the aftermath of the kind of urban crisis that follows social upheavals or wars. At the same time, independently of regional particularities, these urban developments display a new kind of urban form that is quite different from informal settlements in countries outside Europe. Their specific forms result from a new intermeshing of spaces through visual worlds communicated by the media, migratory movements and cash flows.
»Balkanology« brings together leading architects and urban planners from South Eastern Europe and shows their approaches to these fundamental urban transformations. The exhibition will show the cultural, social and political dimensions of the urban phenomena of the region. The key question here is to what extent unregulated, informal urbanism develops new typologies and urban forms, and how these forms could also emerge under the banner of neo-liberal de-urbanisation in the rest of Europe.
The exhibition presents research projects and concrete interventions, architectural analyses and planning strategies. »Balkanology« deliberately avoids trying to achieve a picture of urban development that would be valid for the whole region. Instead, it uses selected examples from different locations to highlight specific local influences on architecture and urban construction, thus critically examining the potentialities for a re-qualification in urban planning.
The term »Balkans« is generally synonymous with South Eastern Europe, a region with varying geographical definitions. This vague term for the area is a 19th-century invention. In the European, or Western European imaginary, the word »Balkan« stands for ambiguity, hybridity, or a state of transition; it is a concept that can be used positively or negatively. »Balkanology« goes beyond the clichés to draw a differentiated picture of urban development in the region and the forces that determine it.
Using selected examples, Maroje Mrduljaš, the editor of the Croatian architectural magazine Oris, and the Serbian architectural historian Vladimir Kulić will show how Yugoslavian architects and planners have tackled "modernity" and "internationality". Alongside chosen topics, the co-curators will set up an interrelation between historical and contemporary buildings and projects, and comment on them with reference to the phenomenon of "interrupted modernism" in Yugoslavia.
"From Belgrade to Istanbul: Illegal Construction and its Impact on Urban Development"
A Symposium in cooperation with this year’s culture festival „Culturescapes 2008“ – focussing upon Turkey.
Saturday, 1 November 2008
10:30am – 4pm
Location: Theater Basel
S AM is linking up thematically with this year's Culturescapes Festival in Basel, which focuses on Turkey, creating a conceptual bridge to «Balkanology». The symposium will examine informal construction and unregulated urban planning, and discuss the relevant urban phenomena in South Eastern Europe, as well as the 'Gecekondu' architecture and typologies in Turkey. Amongst others with Kai Vöckler (Berlin), Dritan Shutina, Direktor Co-PLAN (Tirana), Vedran Mimica (Zagreb), Orhan Esen, Urbanist (Istanbul), Milica Topalovic, ETH Zürich/ Studio Basel, Dietmar Steiner, director Az W (Vienna) and Film Screening „X Daireler / X Wohnungen“ ** (Tarlabaşı 2008). The symposium will be held in english.
ERSTE Foundation
Exhibition Sponsor
ERSTE Foundation is active in the Central and South Eastern European region. The Foundation develops projects independently and in collaboration with partners within the three programmes Social Affairs, Culture and Europe. Being the major shareholder of the Erste Group, ERSTE Foundation is one of the largest foundations based in the region.This makes the ERSTE Foundation along with its historical roots accountable for social and cultural engagement as well as civil society development. It draws its mandate from the tradition of the savings banks, which were founded 190 years ago to serve the common good.
04.10.08 – 04.01.2009
BALKANOLOGY
New Architecture and Urban Phenomena
in South Eastern Europe
Curated by Kai Vöckler
In the western Balkans, the collapse of the socialist economic system in Yugoslavia and Albania has given rise to extensive informal building activity that represents a new form of urbanisation. The question is: how far do such urban transformations indicate patterns of future development for European cities in general? The exhibition uses examples from projects in Belgrade, Zagreb, Kotor, Prishtina and Tirana to illustrate the way architects, artists, urbanists and activists are dealing with these rapid new transformation processes. The outstanding yet hardly known buildings of socialist modernism in Yugoslavia are compared and contrasted with contemporary architecture.
»Balkanology« opens a new field of architectural discourse in Switzerland —the little-known architecture of the post-socialist period and the result of unregulated, uncontrolled urban planning in the countries of South Eastern Europe. The exhibition focuses on the impact of recent socio-political changes on architecture and urban planning.
The situation in South Eastern Europe is prototypical for urban development in transitional and post-conflict situations, from Prishtina to Belgrade, where weak or missing institutional structures make it impossible to achieve the regulation of construction processes. The wild, volatile spread of informal building structures is the aftermath of the kind of urban crisis that follows social upheavals or wars. At the same time, independently of regional particularities, these urban developments display a new kind of urban form that is quite different from informal settlements in countries outside Europe. Their specific forms result from a new intermeshing of spaces through visual worlds communicated by the media, migratory movements and cash flows.
»Balkanology« brings together leading architects and urban planners from South Eastern Europe and shows their approaches to these fundamental urban transformations. The exhibition will show the cultural, social and political dimensions of the urban phenomena of the region. The key question here is to what extent unregulated, informal urbanism develops new typologies and urban forms, and how these forms could also emerge under the banner of neo-liberal de-urbanisation in the rest of Europe.
The exhibition presents research projects and concrete interventions, architectural analyses and planning strategies. »Balkanology« deliberately avoids trying to achieve a picture of urban development that would be valid for the whole region. Instead, it uses selected examples from different locations to highlight specific local influences on architecture and urban construction, thus critically examining the potentialities for a re-qualification in urban planning.
The term »Balkans« is generally synonymous with South Eastern Europe, a region with varying geographical definitions. This vague term for the area is a 19th-century invention. In the European, or Western European imaginary, the word »Balkan« stands for ambiguity, hybridity, or a state of transition; it is a concept that can be used positively or negatively. »Balkanology« goes beyond the clichés to draw a differentiated picture of urban development in the region and the forces that determine it.
Using selected examples, Maroje Mrduljaš, the editor of the Croatian architectural magazine Oris, and the Serbian architectural historian Vladimir Kulić will show how Yugoslavian architects and planners have tackled "modernity" and "internationality". Alongside chosen topics, the co-curators will set up an interrelation between historical and contemporary buildings and projects, and comment on them with reference to the phenomenon of "interrupted modernism" in Yugoslavia.
"From Belgrade to Istanbul: Illegal Construction and its Impact on Urban Development"
A Symposium in cooperation with this year’s culture festival „Culturescapes 2008“ – focussing upon Turkey.
Saturday, 1 November 2008
10:30am – 4pm
Location: Theater Basel
S AM is linking up thematically with this year's Culturescapes Festival in Basel, which focuses on Turkey, creating a conceptual bridge to «Balkanology». The symposium will examine informal construction and unregulated urban planning, and discuss the relevant urban phenomena in South Eastern Europe, as well as the 'Gecekondu' architecture and typologies in Turkey. Amongst others with Kai Vöckler (Berlin), Dritan Shutina, Direktor Co-PLAN (Tirana), Vedran Mimica (Zagreb), Orhan Esen, Urbanist (Istanbul), Milica Topalovic, ETH Zürich/ Studio Basel, Dietmar Steiner, director Az W (Vienna) and Film Screening „X Daireler / X Wohnungen“ ** (Tarlabaşı 2008). The symposium will be held in english.
ERSTE Foundation
Exhibition Sponsor
ERSTE Foundation is active in the Central and South Eastern European region. The Foundation develops projects independently and in collaboration with partners within the three programmes Social Affairs, Culture and Europe. Being the major shareholder of the Erste Group, ERSTE Foundation is one of the largest foundations based in the region.This makes the ERSTE Foundation along with its historical roots accountable for social and cultural engagement as well as civil society development. It draws its mandate from the tradition of the savings banks, which were founded 190 years ago to serve the common good.
Press section >>
Order the publication >>
Installation views >>
Guided tours through the exhibition
German English
11.10 14.30 h 15.30 h
23.10. 18.00 h 19.00 h
08.11. 14.30 h 15.30 h
20.11. 18.00 h 19.00 h
06.12. 14.30 h 15.30 h
18.12. 18.00 h 19.00 h
The exhibition is realised in co-operation with Architekturzentrum Wien.
Co-Curators
Vladimir Kulić and Maroje Mrduljaš
BALKANOLOGY presents
Urbanistic Initiatives
Platforma 9,81, Zagreb
Co-PLAN, Tirana
EXPEDITIO, Kotor
Archis Interventions, Prishtina
Urban Studies
Dubravka Sekulić and Ivan Kucina, Belgrade
Srdjan Jovanović Weiss, Novi Sad / Philadelphia
Platforma 9,81, Zagreb
Archis Interventions, Prishtina
Contemporary Architecture
Bevk – Perović arhitekti
Housing Polje, Ljubljana, Slovenia, 2005
Studio Capsula
Social Housing, Island of Cres, Croatia 2005
Robert Claiborne, Lia Ruccolo, Ivan Markov
Museum of Contemporary Art, Project, Novi Sad, Serbia, 2007
OSNAP Architecture Consultancy
Srebrenica Memorial, Potočari, Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina 2006
Marijan Hržić
Eurotower, Zagreb, Croatia, 2008
Slavija biro and ARCVS
Reconstruction Business Centre “Ušće” (formerly Building of Social and Political Organisations), Belgrade, Serbia, 2005
Srdjan Jovanović Weiss / NAO
Stadium Culture – Centre for New Media and Recreation, Project, Novi Sad, Serbia, 2007
Iva Letilović & Morana Vlahović
Social Housing, Krapinske Toplice, Croatia, 2003
Hrvoje Njirić
Mini Housing Complex “... this familiar feeling”, Gračani near Zagreb, Croatia, 2007
Ofis arhitekti
Extension and Renovation of the Ljubljana City Museum, Ljubljana, Slovenia, 2004
Helena Paver Njirić
New Permanent Exhibition – Memorial Museum of the Jasenovac Memorial Area, Jasenovac, Croatia
Goran Rako
Archäologisches Museum Narona, Vid near Metković, Croatia, 2007
Randić-Turato Arhitektonski Biro
Primary School Fran Krsto Frankopan, Island of Krk, Croatia, 2005
Re:act
Terazije Terraces, Belgrade, Serbia, 2010
SCArS
City Trade Centre Update, Skopje, Macedonia 2008
Hosoya Schaefer Architects
Šmartinska Partnership Masterplan, Ljubljana, Slovenia, 2008
Studio UP
High School and Polyvalent Hall, Koprivnica, Croatia, 2007
Sadar Vuga Arhitekti
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, Ljubljana, Slovenia, 1999
Studio za arhitekturu - Igor Franić
Museum of Contemporary Art, Zagreb, Croatia, 2009
Modern Architecture
Ivan Antić and Ivanka Raspopović
Museum of Contemporary Art, New Belgrade, Serbia, 1965
Vojnin Bakić (Sculpture), Berislav Šerbetić (Architecture)
Monument, Petrova Gora, Croatia, 1981
Bogdan Bogdanović
Partisan Cemetery, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1965
Bogdan Bogdanović
Jasenovac Memorial, Jasenovac, Croatia, 1966
Nikola Dobrović
Grandhotel, Lopud, Croatia, 1936
Nikola Dobrović
Ministry of Defense and Headquarters of Yugoslav People’s Army, Belgrade, Serbia, 1963
Drago Galić
Apartment Buildings, Zagreb, Croatia, 1954
Mihailo Janković
Federal Executive Council (Federal Government), New Belgrade, Serbia, 1962
Studio 71
Opera and Ballet, Skopje, Macedonia, 1981
Milorad Macura
Apartment Building, Belgrade, Serbia, 1956
Boris Magaš, Edo Šmidihen, Radovan Horvat
Museum of Revolution (today Historical Museum), Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1963
Edo Mihevc
Commercial and Apartment Building Kozolec, Ljubljana, Slowenia, 1957
Andrija Mutnjaković
National and University Library, Prishtina, Kosovo, 1983
Juraj Neidhardt
Apartment Buildings, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1958
Kazimir Ostrogović
City Hall, Zagreb, Croatia, 1956
Jože Plečnik
National and University Library, Ljubljana, Slovenia, 1940
Edvard Ravnikar
Memorial Complex, Kampor, Island of Rab, Croatia, 1953
Vjenceslav Richter
Pavilion of Yugoslavia at the Expo, Brussels, Belgium, 1958
Vladimir Turina
Flexible Swimming Pool, Project, Rijeka, Croatia, 1949
Zlatko Ugljen
Sherefudin’s White Mosque, Visoko, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1980
Ivan Vitić
The Cultural Centre of the Yugoslav People’s Army (today: Public Library), Šibenik, Croatia 1961
The exhibition is co-produced by
Architekturzentrum Wien
The exhibition has been realised with
the kind support of
ERSTE Stiftung
Main Sponsors:
Lotteriefonds Basel-Stadt
Lotteriefonds Basel-Landschaft
Co-Sponsors:
Creaplot
Zumtobel Lighting GmbH
Axima
Karl Bubenhofer Farben
Order the publication >>
Installation views >>
Guided tours through the exhibition
German English
11.10 14.30 h 15.30 h
23.10. 18.00 h 19.00 h
08.11. 14.30 h 15.30 h
20.11. 18.00 h 19.00 h
06.12. 14.30 h 15.30 h
18.12. 18.00 h 19.00 h
The exhibition is realised in co-operation with Architekturzentrum Wien.
Co-Curators
Vladimir Kulić and Maroje Mrduljaš
BALKANOLOGY presents
Urbanistic Initiatives
Platforma 9,81, Zagreb
Co-PLAN, Tirana
EXPEDITIO, Kotor
Archis Interventions, Prishtina
Urban Studies
Dubravka Sekulić and Ivan Kucina, Belgrade
Srdjan Jovanović Weiss, Novi Sad / Philadelphia
Platforma 9,81, Zagreb
Archis Interventions, Prishtina
Contemporary Architecture
Bevk – Perović arhitekti
Housing Polje, Ljubljana, Slovenia, 2005
Studio Capsula
Social Housing, Island of Cres, Croatia 2005
Robert Claiborne, Lia Ruccolo, Ivan Markov
Museum of Contemporary Art, Project, Novi Sad, Serbia, 2007
OSNAP Architecture Consultancy
Srebrenica Memorial, Potočari, Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina 2006
Marijan Hržić
Eurotower, Zagreb, Croatia, 2008
Slavija biro and ARCVS
Reconstruction Business Centre “Ušće” (formerly Building of Social and Political Organisations), Belgrade, Serbia, 2005
Srdjan Jovanović Weiss / NAO
Stadium Culture – Centre for New Media and Recreation, Project, Novi Sad, Serbia, 2007
Iva Letilović & Morana Vlahović
Social Housing, Krapinske Toplice, Croatia, 2003
Hrvoje Njirić
Mini Housing Complex “... this familiar feeling”, Gračani near Zagreb, Croatia, 2007
Ofis arhitekti
Extension and Renovation of the Ljubljana City Museum, Ljubljana, Slovenia, 2004
Helena Paver Njirić
New Permanent Exhibition – Memorial Museum of the Jasenovac Memorial Area, Jasenovac, Croatia
Goran Rako
Archäologisches Museum Narona, Vid near Metković, Croatia, 2007
Randić-Turato Arhitektonski Biro
Primary School Fran Krsto Frankopan, Island of Krk, Croatia, 2005
Re:act
Terazije Terraces, Belgrade, Serbia, 2010
SCArS
City Trade Centre Update, Skopje, Macedonia 2008
Hosoya Schaefer Architects
Šmartinska Partnership Masterplan, Ljubljana, Slovenia, 2008
Studio UP
High School and Polyvalent Hall, Koprivnica, Croatia, 2007
Sadar Vuga Arhitekti
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, Ljubljana, Slovenia, 1999
Studio za arhitekturu - Igor Franić
Museum of Contemporary Art, Zagreb, Croatia, 2009
Modern Architecture
Ivan Antić and Ivanka Raspopović
Museum of Contemporary Art, New Belgrade, Serbia, 1965
Vojnin Bakić (Sculpture), Berislav Šerbetić (Architecture)
Monument, Petrova Gora, Croatia, 1981
Bogdan Bogdanović
Partisan Cemetery, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1965
Bogdan Bogdanović
Jasenovac Memorial, Jasenovac, Croatia, 1966
Nikola Dobrović
Grandhotel, Lopud, Croatia, 1936
Nikola Dobrović
Ministry of Defense and Headquarters of Yugoslav People’s Army, Belgrade, Serbia, 1963
Drago Galić
Apartment Buildings, Zagreb, Croatia, 1954
Mihailo Janković
Federal Executive Council (Federal Government), New Belgrade, Serbia, 1962
Studio 71
Opera and Ballet, Skopje, Macedonia, 1981
Milorad Macura
Apartment Building, Belgrade, Serbia, 1956
Boris Magaš, Edo Šmidihen, Radovan Horvat
Museum of Revolution (today Historical Museum), Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1963
Edo Mihevc
Commercial and Apartment Building Kozolec, Ljubljana, Slowenia, 1957
Andrija Mutnjaković
National and University Library, Prishtina, Kosovo, 1983
Juraj Neidhardt
Apartment Buildings, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1958
Kazimir Ostrogović
City Hall, Zagreb, Croatia, 1956
Jože Plečnik
National and University Library, Ljubljana, Slovenia, 1940
Edvard Ravnikar
Memorial Complex, Kampor, Island of Rab, Croatia, 1953
Vjenceslav Richter
Pavilion of Yugoslavia at the Expo, Brussels, Belgium, 1958
Vladimir Turina
Flexible Swimming Pool, Project, Rijeka, Croatia, 1949
Zlatko Ugljen
Sherefudin’s White Mosque, Visoko, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1980
Ivan Vitić
The Cultural Centre of the Yugoslav People’s Army (today: Public Library), Šibenik, Croatia 1961
The exhibition is co-produced by
Architekturzentrum Wien
The exhibition has been realised with
the kind support of
ERSTE Stiftung
Main Sponsors:
Lotteriefonds Basel-Stadt
Lotteriefonds Basel-Landschaft
Co-Sponsors:
Creaplot
Zumtobel Lighting GmbH
Axima
Karl Bubenhofer Farben