komšijski razgovori

Lines of residential buildings, with good and bad days behind, and the last attempt to improve condition - as seen on the facades. Street level doesn’t show unity as floors above - interventions, added staircases, divided spaces that used to be communal and atomic shelters adapted into small shops and offices - together with graffiti and ”obituary” murals creates cacophony of “styles” and spatial expressions, aesthetics of temporary. Greenery partially covers conditions on all heights and levels, but dilapidation of space and infrastructure between buildings - playgrounds, benches, parkings - shows the accurate state. Paris Commune - quarter of strong identity - turned towards inside, oneself, with clear borders both in the street names and architecture; near train station and expo complex, between several important roads, decades of questionable reputation that becomes an brand through time, and abundance of criminal, delinquency and drug abuse .. but also connected (then destroyed) community and strong local identity. Built for now non-existing working class, with buildings designed according to regulations, and paying attention to ventilation and light, communications and common spaces - terraces (meanwhile heavily changed and adjusted) that are at the same time (often blocked) fire escape. Needs and demands of residential space have changed immensely since, as well as demographics of the cities, but also criteria for building quality and rules for designing. Photographs show current needs and attitudes towards these buildings and life within, but also condition of these objects, and attempt to improve conditions. By placing isolation outside, one saves the interior intact, and, ideally, improves thermal situation. On the second look, the serial shows maintenance and investment as signs that life is now beyond survival, looking towards better quality. Also, agreement to mimic the existing look of the buildings, and consistency in implementation throughout the whole quarter is more of a precedent and incident, after decades of improvisation, ignoring of surrounding or direct and deliberate destruction of existing structures. Although the same treatment of all block buildings has to do with professional building managers and companies for maintenance that shared Novi Sad built fund among themselves, it is still noteworthy attempt and implementation, deserving to be praised as an example of possible and finished - even if also naive - experiment.