This book is the product of three-week workshop with Indre Klimaite in European Humanities University in Vilnius, Lithuania. The main aim of the workshop was to develop skills in typography and layout.
The choice of the topic was based on my recent experience of participating in Summer School “Mapping Visaginas”. The school was trying to explore what the city is now after the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant was decommissioned, what urban processes are happening there and what possible futures the city has.
Main illustrative means are the photos of Visaginas and citizens' opinion of it which is presented by graffities found in the city and people's comments on current situation.
The book is more of a look from above with an attempt to realize what the city is by its numerous assets. How does Soviet past co-exist with European present? The names of the streets are still very much Soviet-like while their looks and content often do not correlate with them well. Thus taking this contrast as a starting point I’ve conducted an analysis of what there are in Visaginas and how does it fit there.
Every name of each street opens new chapter which views a particular aspect of the city.
In most cases, graffities in the book are presented on a colored background which signifies the color of
brick walls in Visaginas.
Together with people's opinions, another perspective on the situation on Visaginas is suggested by local newspaper 'Sugardas'. Chosen articals discuss the topics viewed within streets.
The idea of two colors of paper in the book, white and orange, are used to display, in a way, actual sight of the city as its buildings are mainly constructed of red brick. Because of that, in Soviet time the quality of life in Visaginas was considered premium. But now it only illustrates the decay of the city because after 40 years of service the brick is wearing off.
The full version of the book can be viewed on ISSUU.
