Modernization on the Edge of Empire: Zagreb Industrial Heritage from 1862 to 1918
Exhibition concept: Goran Arčabić
Exhibition design: Bilić_Müller Studio
Poster design: Bilić_Müller Design Studio
The research and exhibition project entitled "Zagreb Industrial Heritage: History, State of Affairs and Outlook" has gathered experts of various fields around a common set of goals:
- to research, evaluate, document and present the industrial heritage of the City of Zagreb from economic, historical, social, town planning, architectural and technological point of view
- to improve and heighten the public’s perception of industrial heritage as being a part of a national and universal heritage, a part of a common European identity and an important aspect of the development of human civilization
- to set up a warning about the danger of destroying valuable industrial heritage structures on attractive locations, due to the powerful interests of capital
- to update and systematically question sustainability methods applied to industrial heritage in the City of Zagreb
- to provide solutions for the high-quality renovation and content reuse of valuable industrial structures, which meet the needs of contemporary society
These goals should be achieved during the period from 2009 to 2014, through study exhibitions, symposia, workshops, lectures and presentations, publications (exhibition catalogues, monographs, guidebooks, on-line publications and inventories) and professionally guided tours on the industrial heritage sites.
The Project framework includes three study exhibitions chronologically presenting industrial development and its impact on the City of Zagreb and its population in the typical periods from the appearance of industry in the second half of the 19th century to the beginnings of deindustrialization process (1862 to 1918 / 1918 to 1945 / 1945 to 1990). Symposia, workshops, lectures and presentations, publishing and guided on-site tours will take place during and between the exhibitions.
- Exhibition: "Modernization on the Edge of Empire: Zagreb Industrial Heritage from 1862 to 1918 " (completion: 2010)
- Exhibition: "The National Centre of Industry: Zagreb Industrial Heritage from 1918 to 1945" (completion: 2012)
- Exhibition: "The Giants Era: Zagreb Industrial Heritage from 1945 to 1990" (completion: 2014)
The first completed stage of the Project (year 2010) includes the cooperation with the State Archives in Zagreb (the institutional partner) and the ARCHIsquad, association of architects. Institutions providing consulting services are the City Institute for the Conservation of Cultural and Natural Heritage and the Office for Strategic Planning and Development of the City. The Project has been financially supported by the City Office for Education, Culture and Sport, Republic of Croatia Ministry of Culture, and the company Zagrebačka pivovara d. d. (Project Partner). Media coverage has been provided by the Europapress Holding (EPH) and Radio 101.
Author and head of the Project: Goran Arčabić, the curator of the Zagreb City Museum
Projected schedule for 2010:
- Study exhibition „Modernization on the Edge of Empire: Zagreb Industrial Heritage from 1862 to 1918“ / Zagreb City Museum (ZCM), 26 January to 25 April /
- Thematic Museum Night: projection of commercial and documentary films made in Zagreb factories in the second half of 20th century / ZCM, 29 and 30 January /
- Creative architectural workshops organized in cooperation with the ARCHIsquad association + exhibition / ZCM, 20 March to 25 April /
- Symposium "The Future of Zagreb Industrial Heritage " / ZCM, 15 to 17 April /
The study exhibition "Modernization on the Edge of Empire: Zagreb Industrial Heritage from 1862 to 1918" is divided into four topics. The exhibition demonstrates the historical context, importance and consequences that the process of industrialization had on the City of Zagreb and its population until the end of the World War I. The exhibition presents the current situation of the twelve industrial structures / complexes built before 1918, applied preservation systems, and the outlook as prescribed in the valid Master Plan. The author of the exhibition is Goran Arčabić, and the graphic design is the work of the Bilić-Müller Design Studio.
Goran Arčabić
Pictures from the exhibition
photo Miljenko Gregl, ZCM