Sodom and Gomorrah
The
tent: A symbolic construction object in context of a specific
surrounding. Erected in a free natural environment, the tent
symbolizes freedom and protection to nomads at the same time. In
recent times, however, the functional temporary structure became a
metaphor on captivity. The tents of the Occupy Movement are places of
protest against a power structure, mirroring the lack of power. In a
third aspect, the tent stands for an architectural symbol of hope and
solidarity. After the big catastrophes, such as the devastating
earthquake, destroying the Macedonian capital Skopje in 1963,
external aid arrived via emergency shelters. Solidarity was also the
ideological slogan to re-construct Skopje as a new open town between
East and West.
The socio-utopian model and its corresponding urban masterplan remained uncompleted. At the moment, as part of a new administration project, monumental memorials and huge neo-classic structures are erected in western style. During the events of the 50thanniversary of the Skopje earthquake, the architects Sergej Nikoljski and Milan Mijalkovic try to re-label the symbol of the tent as an archetypical structure. Sodom and Gomorrah is a lithic surreal prototype of a tent. Traditional projections are drifting, as the formerly ephemeral architecture loses its function.
2013
In cooperation with: Sergej Nikoljski
Position: City park Skopje, opposite of the city hall
Text: Judith E. Innerhofer
English translation: Carsten Schmidt
Formwork: Pero Kovancaliev
Supported by: ALL RIGHT, ADING; Association of Architects of Macedonia, City of Skopje
Thanks to: Zoran Petrovski and his family, Angel Miov, Danica Pavlovska, Zoran Icevski, Nikola Uzunov, Aleksandar Badev, Ruse, Ljubica I Jovica, Ljubisha Davidovic, Antoni Maznevski, Cafe Damar
In cooperation with: Sergej Nikoljski
Position: City park Skopje, opposite of the city hall
Text: Judith E. Innerhofer
English translation: Carsten Schmidt
Formwork: Pero Kovancaliev
Supported by: ALL RIGHT, ADING; Association of Architects of Macedonia, City of Skopje
Thanks to: Zoran Petrovski and his family, Angel Miov, Danica Pavlovska, Zoran Icevski, Nikola Uzunov, Aleksandar Badev, Ruse, Ljubica I Jovica, Ljubisha Davidovic, Antoni Maznevski, Cafe Damar
Copyright: Milan Mijalkovic, 2020