Modernism for the future
Inspiration:
The status of Kaunas as the temporary capital (1919–1940) provoked a huge construction boom inspired by an optimistic belief in an independent future. More than 6000 buildings of this period have survived to this day, but not all of them were cherished and loved.
Motivation:
The first incentive to create a programme (dedicated to this historical layer) for ECoC was made in 2015 when Kaunas Modernism as a phenomenon was awarded the European Heritage Label.
Research:
The title of the European Capital of Culture gave Kaunas a powerful impulse to create a success story of preserving its modernist heritage. From 2017, the programme Modernism for the Future brings together the local heritage community to creatively explore this historical layer through different artistic projects.
In 2017–2022, “Modernism for the future” had:
visitors
participants
participants in capacity building events
professionals involved
Since then, we have engaged over 360 house owners, and activated over 365 modernist buildings through artistic residencies, site specific art projects and other kinds of events in private and public modernist spaces.
The number 360 symbolises all possible perspectives of modernism: cultural, political, economic, etc., whereas the number 365 asks us to notice the heritage of everyday. It is more than just visiting churches and museums on special occasions – it is also the architecture of our common surroundings: residential buildings, industrial and entertainment facilities.
Interpretation:
The residents’ authentic testimonies about the creation of a modern city and the sense of living in it today have become an incentive to create new forms of heritage cognition – interpretations of modernism. These stories served as an inspiration for contemporary art.
Klostės (translated as Pleats or Folds) is a Black & White non-verbal film created by the people of Kaunas together with Artist & Film-maker Aideen Barry.
The film takes inspiration from the Kaunas interwar modernism and the hidden histories associated with the magical city. After almost two years of creative process and with more than 500 local people involved, the movie is present in the international film festivals with the message of contemporary Kaunas since March 2022.
In 2017–2022, “Modernism for the future” organized:
events
other activities
Local partners, their knowledge and creative approaches played a crucial role in our programme. They implemented dozens of projects inspired by the modernist epoch.
A contemporary narrative of Kaunas Modernism is being created in the forms of photography, installation, dance, experimental music, etc.
In 2017–2022, “Modernism for the future” attracted:
local partners
international partners
The interpretation approach was also bringing together professionals in the programme. International conferences, summer schools, seminars and fora summarised and gave meaning to the Kaunas’ experience and its continued discussions on the understanding of heritage based on the experiences of different cultures and regions.
In cooperation with international partners from the modernist cities of Lviv, Brno, Kortrijk and Tel Aviv, we implemented a 2-year long artistic residency exchange programme. We invited 26 local and international artists to create interdisciplinary interpretations on various modernist buildings and sites.
“Modernism for the future” reached:
people through communication
Programme created:
long-lasting products