Every big city has its own street art and graffitis,which defines its soul and the people living in it, but Ljubljana as this small Slovenian capital is a real hidden gem for Art Enthusiasts and Street art lovers all over the world.
This city feels like Berlin in the 90s but much much smaller and with many unique places. It still has the charm of the socialist Yugoslavia with new ideas from artists and creative people from our country and the whole world.
I was for a couple days in Ljubljana and had some time to discover places which i knew that always inspired me but had never time to really discover them. So i decided to walk to the Metelkova street and to the former Rog Factory which are the art galleries of the street.
After the war many anarchists squatted a former Soldier Base on the Metelkova street and used it for their idea of freedom of art, which became famous for its Street art and underground Clubs. If you walk around this place you will see art on evert corner, on every meter and everytime something different. Many people came and went, but the art stayed. This place was for many years known as a drug infested scene, but lately got the attention that it deserve and became the number one place for every Tourist and art lover. The Club scene is legendary for underground music and bands from the whole world. But the art scene in even better, as it is so freaky and wild, that it really feels like something from the mind of David Bowie from his Berlin times.
There is also a huge former Factory called ROG, which was once a prosperous Bike manufacturer. After the war the factory went bankrupt and the building stayed empty till some artists and skaters claimed it and transformed it into a 5000 square meter big Art studio.
I was walking around this Factory and got really lucky that one of the first artist that worked there welcomed me into the Factory and showed me around and teached me about the whole Idea and project. We talked neary for two hours and he told me everything about the idea, the struggles, the art and the people that work there. I really enjoyed that he welcomed me to his studio. I forgot to use my camera as i was more interested in his ideas than to shoot the studio. So i made just a couple of shots of the interior.
It really is an Anarcho Dream, they have artists from all over the world that are working there and many residents of Ljubljana are there every day and work, all for free. No one knows who made what, the idea is that the whole Factory is one big Art project. There is no ego, no boundaries, only art.
I love that they even have a huge Skatepark in the building and a futsal pitch in the first floor and lately they built an Gym in the building...There is no electricity,no water, no heating, only an old huge Factory in the heart of Ljubljana. The studios are separated with recycled wooden plates and plenty of paint.
But, this Anarcho dream is just temporary as the Mayor of Ljubljana decided to destroy the Building and build a hotel for the booming touristic industry in the city, which will destroy the beauty and soul of this place. As always the profit will take over the art and destroy the backbone of our society which is and will always be art - the visual definition of freedom.
I hope you enjoyed this Photo series, i will post a second tomorrow with only Street Art photos.
Ahhh Fuck!!! I was looking through those pictures thinking HELL YEAH I WANT TO GO THERE and then I get to the end and its been ruined the the government......typical!!
This is why I try and spend my time with plants :-) A
Ah dont worry, it will take some time for the government to destroy it. They made a huge mistake last year as they came with private security into the building and the security guys started a huge fight, so they have now a lawsuit which will take some time...I think it will stay for at least one year or even longer.
Btw, they are planning to build a huge urban garden in the factory and need people with knowledge to help them, so if you are travelling to Ljubljana and have some time left go there and just start talking to the people in the factory, they are always open to new ideas.
Cool, I shall get my shit together and organise a visit.
@OriginalWorks