Solovki Workshop

The MIGRATION project in collaboration with the Art Hangar project «The Industrial Zone 2003: Metamorphoses» (the summer season at Solovki)

The Industrial Zone occupied by the former industrial facilities (a saw-mill, concrete mixer, garages, storage hangars, piers, seaweed dryers, etc., abandoned as a result of the perestroika crisis) and open spaces are further transformed into an art-territory – an artistic park with temporary art-pavilions and installation sites.

The THEME that was chosen for the cultural action is seemingly far from the industrial context, but at the same time carrying a cornerstone philosophical meaning for Solovki – Metamorphoses (from Greek - Transfiguration). The Orthodox Monastery situated on the island is named Our Saviour Transfiguration Monastery. Most of the monasteries or churches located on the islands in the Northern Russia are dedicated to Transfiguration, which is not accidental not only for religious reasons. In the Pomor mythology traveling by sea is associated with experiencing death and thus transfiguration. Generally, the theme is by its essence connected with the concept of creativity. Moreover, the project is aimed at further transformation (read: transfiguration) of the neglected industrial area into an art-territory. So, common and private METAMORPHOSES, experienced on Solovki, have been reflected through Metamorphoses of the Industrial Zone.

Participating artists: Larionov Slava / Arkhangelsk, Kulikova Natalia / Moscow, Khan Olga / Moscow, Suzdallev Andrey / Moscow, Khokhlovkin Dmitry/ Moscow, Strelkov Yevgeny / Nizhny Novgorod, Moiseev Maxim/ S Petersburg, Lozhkin Aleksandr / Novosibirsk, Repina Anastasia/ Solovki, Shkaruba Yevgeny/ Solovki, Geir Tore Holm/ Norway, Søssa Jørgensen/ Norway, Per Enoksson/ Sweden, Oskar Östergren/ Sweden, Elene Ylipaa/ Sweden, Titta Court/ Finland, Liisa Karintaus/ Finland, Barbara Holmes/USA, Julie Schulzova/ Czeck Republic Moiseev Maxim/ S Petersburg, Lytkin Aleksandr/ Moscow, Chesnov Lev / Moscow, Arkhipova Aleksandra / Novosibirsk, Bulnygin Dmitry / Novosibirsk, Mizin Slava / Novosibirsk, Repina Anastasia/ Solovki, Shkaruba Yevgeny/ Solovki, Per Enoksson/ Sweden, Oskar Östergren/ Sweden

The History of the Industrial Zone in Brief: The industrial zone is the territory of the former Construction Industry Agency that was established on Solovki in mid-1980s following the decision of modernization of the village. In the early 1980s the General Plan of reconstruction of the museum complex and the village was developed. It included restoration of the architectural ensemble, construction of new houses, school buildings, hotels, the Tamarin Pier, etc. But all the construction activities were curbed when the perestroika was started. The administration buildings, mechanic workshops, garages and some other facilities of the Construction Industry Agency found their new owners. The industrial zone by the Tamarin Pier (the biggest pier of the village serving big tourist liners and cargo boats) has been turned for the last decade into the ruined zone of industrial materials and destroyed facilities, disturbing the surrounding picture. Among its abandoned half-ruined buildings still standing there, there are garages, concrete-mixer, sawing mill and some storage facilities. Since autumn 2001 this territory has partially been cleaned: some metalscrap is being taken away from the island in the summer time. In the soviet period the territory functioned as an airfield for airplanes, used by the Northern Navy base for training purposes. In the 1970s by the industrial zone, there were installed drying and storage seaweed facilities belonging to the algae plant. They do not function since 2002.

Ljuba Kuzovnikova, Art Hangar Centre

Contact Pikene på Broen if you have any questions.
web: www.pikene.no
e-mail: hilde@pikene.no
tel: +47 78 99 38 78

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