Awakening the Sleeping Giant – A Second Chance
Site-specific multimedia installation by Mojca Kasjak in co-production with Plesna Izba Maribor/Platforma Festival, supported by URBACT III – 2nd Chance and Creative Spirits
Schedule
Author Mojca Kasjak
Sound designer Marko Gutman
Video Dejan Dolšak Oni
Expert consultant David Orešič
Expert assistance Jerneja Ferlež
Interpretation of texts Gregor Kosi, Kristijan Ostanek, Dejan Dolšak, Matjaž Dolamič, Davor Herga, Mojca Kasjak
Gongs Vesna Kukič - Amai
Technical realisation Soundbiro
Texts used: Kosi, G., Celica št. 2 [Cell Nr. 2] (2016, Maribor: Založba Litera); Zupan, V., Pesmi iz zapora, četrta knjiga [Prison Poems, book four] (2006, Ljubljana: DesigNovak d.o.o.); Ferlinc, S. (1998), Moška kaznilnica v Mariboru; Hišni red za kaznilnice [Men's Penitentiary Maribor, Penitentiary House Rules] (1932, Men's Penitentiary
Maribor Administration)
Photos: Kaznilnica, Branimir Ritonja; Archival holdings of the Men's Penitentiary Maribor at the Regional Archives Maribor
Manuscripts: University of Maribor Library Manuscript Collection
Special thanks to Andreja Budar
The installation skilfully moves between the past and the present and opens the field of forgotten cultural heritage - the erstwhile men's penitentiary, housed in the KPD complex[1]. Through the historic facts, it tells a story of a past time; there, along with other things, the subtle poetry of Vitomil Zupan, the tender movement of shadow images and the feeling of an individual caught in the everyday routine of the present time are expressed. It reveals the pain of being locked up and trapped. It opens and discloses a forgotten story and a call for freedom. It's a story of shedding light on dark spots and rising to a higher level in order to start a new story.
The installation is supported by the Municipality of Maribor and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia. The realisation at the 53rd Maribor Theatre Festival was made possible by the Urbact Creative Spirits.
[1] The KPD complex, or Kazilnica building, located on the right bank of the Drava River, between the streets Pobreška cesta, Titova cesta and the railway line, was constructed between 1884 and 1889. KPD used to be considered among the most modern penitentiaries in the territory of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. Because of air-raid damage, it was closed in 1945. In 1949, it was restored, enabling its further use until 1963, when the penitentiary was finally closed. The empty parts of the building were later used as storage and business premises. After 1991, the western wing and the extension at the northern wing were restructured for commercial and cultural purposes. In 2000, the large shopping centre Europark was constructed on the northern side. With the exception of the two renovated sections, the nearly 16,000 m² surface area of the KPD building is mostly empty and in a state of decline.