O:TVORENO

site context:

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Javorov Do, which lies on the western slopes of Bjelašnica near the ski track, is a developing site, intended for rest and recreation, formed by the mountain skiing sports association of the same name. In addition to its primary activities, this association also encourages artistic and creative activities through the annual Javorwood Festival.

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What attracts attention is the fact that the site was created by an intervention in the space of two natural sinkholes in the hill itself, following their topographic-morphological logic and ambient character. In this way, two complementary units were obtained, where a deeper and more dramatic one, is defined by a stone amphitheater of extraordinary acoustics, while the other, wider and more spatially open, was transformed into a lake. It is precisely in the relationship between the two sinkholes and their programming features that the potential direction of the creative design challenge is read, where as a contrast to the amphitheater, which clearly builds harmony of form and function, stands the space around the lake as an open field for spatial-program interventions.

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spatial concept:

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Oko (the eye) on one side represents the lake itself in the landscape of the hill (while the other eye is an amphitheater), as the theme of spatial installation, but also the circular motion path around (oko) it. O:TVORENO OKO (O:PEN EYE/AROUND) is a conceptualization of the play of words and its meanings in a metaphorical and practical sense.*

 

* in Serbian, "oko" has two meanings: an eye & around

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The project is based on the relationship between the existing installation of the watercourse on the lake and the circular motion of the path below it. O:TVOREN OKO instalation is located in the axis of the watercourse, on the opposite side of the lake, using the watercourse's spatial and formal logic, becoming part of a steep landscape.

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As the watercourse, starting from a hill and ending on the pillars above the lake, creating a space for the path below, the spatial installation, consisting of five program modules, vertically sinks into the sloping terrain, following the incline of the landscape, while horizontally emerges from the ground and floats cantilevered over the lake. The modules form segments for different purposes:

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1 - the bench - The first, the shortest, with an appropriate height, creates content intended for sitting and over viewing of the entire lake.

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2 - the birdhouse - the second is for local ornithological fauna.
 

3 - the planters - the third is for local flora.
 

4 - the path - fourth, as the basic module, is intended for the below path  which passes through undisturbedly, forming a new stopping (check) point in circular motion.

5 - the swing - the fifth module with its structural and disposition characteristic - the console, interrupts the set structural dynamics, leaving a place for the O:TVORENO concept leitmotif, intended for the  summer's barefoot swinging over the lake water.

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In terms of interactivity, the installation subtly "breathes" with the surrounding natural environment by reacting with users through the first, fourth and fifth segment, while together with the water surface of the lake, reacts with the occurrence of a breeze on the second and third segment, gently rotating the content elements around its axis.

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In artistic - aesthetic view, the installation was conceived as a combination of lacquered wood applied to the supporting structure (columns and continuous beam), based on the existing watercourse (which blends into the color of the lake and surrounding greenery), and the blue for recycled, recoded materials - car tires of content elements, as the accents in the sky color. In this way, a harmonious picture of the overall landscape is achieved. 

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process chronicle:

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One year after leaving Trebević, while Stefan and Luka are discussing about participation at one exhibition in Belgrade, where they see an opportunity to actualize the creative work of the AΔA idea in an original way, the spirit of the eponymous group still resides somewhere in the mountains above Sarajevo. Waiting for results on the computer screen is interrupted by an advertisement of another music festival with a generic identity at first, somewhere in the forests of the Balkans. However, a photograph of an amphitheater in the womb of the hill catches Stefan's attention, and a curious click on the link opens a call for intervention in space, which becomes a place for art installations.

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Inspired by the possibility of a new intervention "in/on the mountain", where, unlike the Watchtower (Observation Post) at the top, this time it goes into the landscape "within" the mountain, Stefan explores the context of Javor Lake and submits the concept of the project, applying for the festival's "artist in residence" program.

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By the arrival of the summer, the Javorwood Festival invites the AΔA group to a few day artists' gathering in early August, opening the space to create a place with an interactive installation by the lake, and this time Stefan and Majda make a return team to Sarajevo in the upcoming venture.

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" Since Javorwood is still a not-for-profit project, the festival covers the cost of the trip, accommodation and food for all days of stay.

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As for the project itself, for the Javorov Do landowner the swing is still questionable, because of the slippery terrain below, so be prepared for possible changes to the project. When arriving, visiting and analyzing the terrain, you would sit down with him once again and agree on the final appearance of your construction.

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Best regards,

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Ida Keskic, Creative Director & Program Manager "

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With complete uncertainty regarding the materials and location conditions for project completion, AΔA accepts the challenge. On Wednesday, the last day of July, the team packs everything they can take from tools, colors and content elements and sets out on the journey of Bjelašnica.

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Arriving late in the afternoon, the team settles into a mountain lodge nearby the lake, meeting with hosts, artists of different profiles, as well as very warm-hearted Bosnian construction workers working on the neighboring cottage. After the welcomes, the group grabs the opportunity to visit the lake before the dark, where a pleasant surprise awaits, followed by a sense of relief.

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The silhouette of the installation construction is reflected on the lake. The day before, using the concept of the proposed 3D visualization, these same workers have raised a wooden structure on a steep slope, slightly adjusting its segments to the conditions on the terrain (the path and the slope) and structural characteristics of the material used (oak beams 8x8 cm).

 

With two car tires they managed to pack in their car, Stefan and Majda spend Thursday morning  to get off the mountain and search for tire vulcanizing workshops. Thus, crossing for several times the imaginary borders between Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republic of Srpska just in a few kilometers, they find two more discarded tires while an interesting idea finds them, sometime in the future.

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The second part of the day is spent for painting and preparing content elements.

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Friday, as the most creatively active day, takes place in connecting elements with bearing construction segments, followed by inconspicuous sunburns from the intense mountain sun and the "drama" of demanding  hard oak drilling while setting up the swing.

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After the placing meadow flowers in the planters and the first swinging barefoot on a "disputed" place over the lake, all fatigue becomes easier, while peace and smile follow the end of the venture.

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Saturday is a festival day, dedicated to relaxing with artists and enjoying the music program and the result of creative action. What stands out this afternoon is "The Theater of the Inconceivable" performed by Iva Korbar. The nature of her concept is the interaction and play with nature, in this case the performance on the lake, where O:TVORENO OKO installation itself and Iva's passing through its fourth segment become one of the key points of performance.

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Looking at the mutual performance of the installation on the breeze and the artist in the lake, and realizing that the space between the two pillars, intended for pedestrian communication and filled with wind chimes, unpredictably becomes part of the new content,  the spatial quality and beauty of one place opens up, as well as the potential that it can always become a NEW PLACE...

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