On the rapid privatization of public space in post-communist cities

2016-04-21T15:12:00-04:00

From 1917 to 1991 in the former Russian Empire, and from 1945 to 1989 in the countries it dominated after the war, there was no real private ownership. No landowners, no developers, no “placemakers” - in half of Europe. Did this mean public space was done differently, and are attitudes to it different in those countries? [...] observed more closely, public space here is every bit as complex as it is elsewhere in Europe.

Feast your eyes on these sci fi-inspired photos of Belgrade's Brutalist buildings

2016-04-13T19:20:00-04:00

These buildings aren't from a distant galaxy far, far away. They're here on Planet Earth, specifically in Belgrade, Serbia. Locally based photographer Mirko Nahmijas wanted to give a new perspective to some of his hometown's historically-loaded Brutalist structures in his photo series titled “Minimal Belgrade” — which Nahmijas has also nicknamed “Star Wars City”.

The series depicts the structures as concrete giants, showing off their depth and sharp geometric forms that pop against a stark sky-blue background. Encountering the buildings on a regular basis, Nahmijas wanted to discover a newfound appreciation for his hometown.

Although he carefully staged the photos, there were the inevitable perfect moments of spontaneity that made the process all the more enjoyable. “I most enjoyed taking photos of the VMA Military hospital [the Military Medical Academy] because of its bold lines, and the Western City Gate — especially in the picture I like to call The Pigeon Gate, because the pigeon...

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On the rapid privatization of public space in post-communist cities

Feast your eyes on these sci fi-inspired photos of Belgrade's Brutalist buildings