City Interventions Brno 2017 - Opening Exhibition

Curators: Jakub Kořínek, Lenka Sedláčková
Opening on Tuesday, September 26, 2017, at 6:00 PM
House of Lords from Kunštát, Dominikánská 9, Brno

The exhibition at the House of Lords from Kunštát will present proposals for various modifications to the public space of the city of Brno. They were created by architects, architecture students, associations, and amateurs in response to a call issued as part of the Urban Interventions project in April 2016. Happenings and short-term interventions took place at the "intervention" sites. The project now continues with an exhibition that will last until October 29, featuring some of the proposals in the form of models created by the authors themselves. Common themes include the creation of new squares, relaxation zones, the expansion of pedestrian areas, and cycling transportation. Visitors to the exhibition will be able to evaluate the individual interventions – the results of the survey will subsequently be passed on to the Office of the Architect of the City of Brno.
The exhibition is divided into seven thematic categories according to the types of modifications proposed. Some projects explore new squares by modifying today's intersections or unused spaces (the area in front of the station, Konečného Square), while a recurring theme is pedestrian traffic (stairs on Nové sady, pedestrian movement at the Zvonařka Bus Station), waterfront utilization and park modifications (Svitava waterfront, so-called second Lužánky), conversion of certain unused buildings or entire districts (post-industrial city to the east of the center), street modifications aimed at enhancing the quality of stay, adding greenery, or artistic intention (Benešova, Dvořákova, Česká, Jánská). Some projects propose new, often unconventional urban furniture (pop-up furniture, birdhouses) and the last section deals with transportation – car, public transportation, and cycling routes (complete system of bike paths, new tram stop, Metrobus).
“Urban interventions represent architectural and urban planning projects that are not commissioned but arise from the internal or professional needs of their authors. It is an opportunity to point out what does not work in urban space and to offer solutions on how it could work; many places we walk through daily and hardly notice hold great potential,” says the curator of the exhibition and organizer of Urban Interventions Jakub Kořínek, referencing Vallo Sadovsky Architects, the authors of the original idea. “Urban interventions are not a machine for specific technical solutions; they allow one to see – to see problems, impulses, ideas, possibilities, potential. And for those who see them, to be seen.”
A total of 34 selected proposals will be presented at the exhibition in the form of models, supplemented by visualizations or videos. The models in various forms crafted by professional architects and intuitive lay works will be placed in an original installation mirroring a map of Brno created by architect Jakub Kopec.

Accompanying program to the exhibition will present individual proposals, followed by discussions with city representatives – we will learn more about the current status of work on selected projects and urban strategy and planning. Specifically, the program will include meetings and walks with architects, workshops, a psychogeographic walk through the city, or improv theater in public space.
October 4, 5 PM – Urban Interventions – comments by architect Petr Hýl on individual proposals
October 7, 3–6 PM – With many legs through Brno – basics of urban literacy during a walk with architects
October 8, 2–5 PM – What should be here but isn’t? – workshop for children
October 11, 8 PM – 20,000 Jews Under the Sea – improv theater in public space of Brno
October 18, 5–7 PM – Psychogeographic walk through Brno with Petr Gibas
October 19, 4 PM – Mendlovo Square – participatory workshop with Jakub Kořínek
October 26, 5 PM – Urban Interventions – comments by architects Roman Čerbák and Martin Klenovský

The idea for the Urban Interventions project originated in Bratislava in 2007. Matúš Vallo and Oliver Sadovský (Vallo Sadovsky Architects) approached several colleagues and architectural studios to propose solutions for some architecturally problematic public places in the center of Bratislava, chosen at their discretion and without claim to remuneration. Their civic-professional initiative motivated other teams in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. To date, around 800 proposals for improvements have been created for a total of 17 cities.

The first Urban Interventions in Brno took place in 2011 and an exhibition was organized at the former prison on Cejl. The second Urban Interventions were announced in April 2016, and by the end of August of that year, 67 proposals for various modifications in the public space of Brno had been submitted. During September and October, happenings and short-term interventions took place at the designated sites. The current exhibition at the House of Lords from Kunštát will showcase 34 of these proposals.

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