Monuments in former Yugoslavia
In these images you can see some interesting forms not usually associated with Western contemplation of design. Some have made the point that forms such as these, as well as Soviet architecture, look so different because their designers were isolated from other design trends as they spread around the rest of the world. Others have disputed this idea, noting that some noted designers were familiar with outside influences in design. Perhaps there is truth somewhere between the two views.
One of the questions brought up along with these photos is what meaning do these monuments still hold with the passage of time? Has their role changed to public art? What about the decay? Should they be fixed or left as they are? This raises another very interesting concept known as Ruin Value, a subject broached by NAZI designer Albert Speer. One notion behind the idea of ruin value is that the designer plans visually, socially, culturally and politically the sustained value, communication and interpretation of ideas long after the makers were gone, and in a state of decrepitude. Politics aside, I love the fact that humans put this level of thought into design.
Ninth Fort in Kaunas, Lithuania
Above is another set of monument design from Lithuania dedicated to victims of the Holocaust. Again we see an almost otherworldly approach to design. I think it’s beautiful. The designe is by sculptor A. Ambraziunas.
Eric Chamberlain 