Friday, May 2, 2014

120. Metelkova Grafitti Central ... !!!

A farewell wave to Zagreb and it's onto the bus and a fast 2 hour drive across the border into Slovenia for a couple of nights stay in Ljubljana.

No - it's not Venice - but I am heading in the right direction ...

One of my reasons for wanting to come to this beautiful city is to visit Metelkova.

Properly known as Metelkova City Autonomous Cultural Center - it is an social centre in the middle of a creative area of Ljubljana ( rubbing shoulders with the Contemporary Art Museum, the National Museum of Slovenia and the Slovene Ethnographic Museum ...). It is located on the site of former military barracks ( once the Slovenian headquarters of the Yugoslav National Army ). 

The site was squatted in September 1993, and remains today as a wonderful crazy alternative art and cultural complex for young – and not so young – people of Slovenia. 

 
 

The site covers 12,500 m2 and consists of seven buildings plus lots of open ground. Included in the complex is an art gallery, several bars, artists’ studios, space for designers, offices of cultural organizations and concerts featuring different types of live music ( check out their web site for the programs - http://www.metelkovamesto.org ) … and also a youth hostel. 

 

At Metelkova City a range of activities and events are held almost every night of the week – during the days the place is pretty much deserted except for a few of the residents coming and going. Unfortunately tonight it is raining – and the music doesn’t kick off until 10pm – and I have an early start – so I’ll miss the action

But the main attraction here for me is the amazing artworks and stunning graffiti art. I can't acknowledge any of the artists because none of them sign their names ... sorry ... !!!



detail ...


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What a place ... and so exciting to be amongst such uninhibited artworks by young activist artists ... but I'm so sad to have missed a night at the Centre ...



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