Ilja Jakovlev

The 20th century second half was a turbulent period that introduced entirely new social, economic, political, and cultural ideas and norms. These abrupt changes were also reflected in architecture, which mirrored the new circumstances — post - war renewal and reconstruction, as well as the assertive consolidation of power by emerging superpowers.
This exhibition explores the architectural legacy of the so-called socialist countries of Eastern Europe, a heritage that, for various reasons, is in a state of neglect, with an uncertain future. After the political changes of the late 20th century, the countries that regained their independence began aligning themselves with the West, leaving the architecture of the socialist era to decay and gradually disappear. This phenomenon has many causes — political, economic, ecological, and others. However, one common thread is apparent across these nations: this type of architecture is increasingly marginalized.
Architectural heritage that is inherently valuable for reflecting the spirit of its era is being forgotten, poorly restored, or demolished. It is true that many of these buildings possess characteristics that complicate their preservation. For example, keeping large former administrative buildings in continuous use is resource-intensive and fails to meet the demands of the digital age. The same issue affects hospitals, schools, factories, and other public buildings, which are no longer considered "compact" or "green" enough for contemporary needs. Finding new purposes for such structures is challenging, as they were built for very specific functions, making them difficult to adapt to new uses.
This raises questions about the future of these buildings and compels us to continuously evaluate what our society values today and what it does not. How does this, in turn, influence our urban landscapes, historical memory, and the next generation’s understanding of the past?
This exhibition features works in various media, inspired by journeys and art residencies in Slovenia, Serbia, Estonia, Latvia, East Germany, Slovakia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Text: Ilja Jakovlev
Curator: Ilja Jakovlev