Mirrors
by Imantas Selenis
portfolio special mention call 'Urbanautica Institute Awards 2023', 2023
Category: Representations of Space, Architecture, and Conflicts
In the post-Soviet capitals of Eastern Europe, major city redevelopment projects have caused increased social inequalities and stark differences in how areas look. The Šnipiškės district in Vilnius, Lithuania's capital, is a clear example of this change. Situated in the modern center of Vilnius, the district is dealing with a new challenge in city planning: the old buildings are slowly being replaced by fast-growing glass business centers and upscale housing.
Situated next to a business centre named „Europe”, that represents Western progress and a promising future, Šnipiškės is usually characterised in public discourse as a Shanghai slum with no cultural importance. This characterisation is apparent in the architectural contrasts that emphasise power dynamics between two social groups, overshadowing any acknowledgment of historicity in the rapidly evolving urban landscape of Vilnius city.
also from Urbanautica Institute Awards 2023