First place Nikolai Ivanov – the MMALL
Museum of Modern Art for All
Contradictory to the title the MMALL is not a project for the conversion of the monument in front of The National Palace of Culture in the next new brand shop, it is more a project for its transformation in a space for artistic events.
The MMALL is a concept, which tries to touch two main themes, important and contradictory for the today’s Bulgarian architecture and cultural state. On the one side is the condition of 1300 Years Bulgaria monument and on the other- the lack of a home for the contemporary Bulgarian art- avant garde, street art and different types of performances in the capital. The idea is to transform, integrate, directly to implant an institution, which was the communist monument, in a completely new, vital for the contemporary Bulgarian art body, which is the museum.
We managed to transform the artifacts from our near past- we nearly demolished and doom them to be destroyed, ignoring their existence. The proves of this process are everywhere around us- the small garden opposite The National Gallery or all the forgotten monuments around the country. Unfortunately, the destiny of the monument 1300 Years Bulgaria is illustrating both types of references- after decades of ignorance, today is being showed the desire for it to be demolished.
The monument has a strong geometrical presence. Having in mind this characteristic more interesting for me was the how the space defined/ enclosed by it is what the visitors will experience and understand more easily- similar to a stamp or a shape.
The main idea is exploring the negative space- the existing structure is interpreted, transformed in an empty space, air, atrium, surrounded by floors- matter. I don’t want to suggest exact architectural geometry; I am looking to create enclosure and spacial experience. The MMALL will have its first permanent exposition which is exactly the built monument 1300 Years Bulgaria.
Second place, Sava Kisliakov and Cvetozar Petkov– How not to forget 1300 in 30
Our aim is to preserve the artistic heritage and when interfering with it to do it carefully and to the point. Restoring it we save the monumentality of the exposed concrete and represent the initial shape with frosted glass panels. We also create green space for recreation and rest and we provide space for the nowadays formed custom around the monument to be organized graffiti expositions and other forms of street arts.
“Every child in an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up ”
~Pablo Picasso
Third place- Mariana Sarbova and Gergana Tileva
The architecture of the 20th century is trying to materialize the movement, the springs, the dynamics, the interior life of the building through sculptural methods. With the advancement of the new technologies the proposed scenario is looking for another style- the information translation.
The standard methodology of connecting the existing environment through form, material, color, etc is completed from media characteristics as content, sound, ways of communication with the environment and the people. There are appearing buildings, which despite of the static physical skin possess dynamic media facades.
One possible scenario for the monument 1300 Years Bulgaria is its re-c0nstruction with similar media materials. As a result it is possible to achieve lively contemporary cultural space around The NPC with one accent- the monument itself, which brings not only historical ideas, but also contemporary messages such as different types of city activity which could find their logical place.
In the article: Media looks for architectural screens
Author: Mariana Sarbova
(Research Conference at VSU- Sofia, 05.06.2009)
Sofia Grid
The idea is through the use of a grid from LED lights and photovoltaic panels which cover the south sloping surfaces to create one functioning system- Sofia Grid. It is presented on multiple urban screens projecting digital videos, created especially for the city and the grid. This digital layer is applied on top of the steel structure of the monument. In this way new life and sense of the sculptural form will be seen. The history which the 1300 Years Bulgaria Monument brings will be transformed in contemporary urban memory.
The space around the monument will formed a place for meeting and an information point for Sofia.
Ivailo Aleksandrov
Despite I was born and grew up in Sofia I never paid attention to the monument having the proud name “1300 Years Bulgaria”. Why would I? Would it be because a monument with such a name does not deserve to be noticed?
Yes it is true that through all my life I have only seen it surrounded and I never had the chance to walk around it. But the problem was different- for me it was “the big grey bunch of concrete” and nothing in its appearance was reminding about the significant name.
When I grew up and with a degree in architecture in my pocket, I finally valued its spatial characteristics and the fact that it was so difficult to be understood made me look at it every time I was passing by. And I still could not appreciate it completely. This is exactly where the disappointment hides- people couldn’t understand it and wouldn’t recognize it as the monument marking the 1300 anniversary of Bulgaria. The only ones that could appreciate it were the representatives of the artistic circles and the architects, but deep inside they knew something was wrong. Personally, I am against it being demolished and I realize its reconstruction is too big intervention. In the end, it is still dangerous and most importantly- disliked.
My idea is with a minimum intervention to transform it into a loved monument, which makes the Bulgarian to feel proud of their nation. I wanted to add a new social role for it, to be dedicated to the society, to create and to organize the space around it, to educate and to inform.
In our history there are plenty of public events to be proud of. What to say about the Bulgarian flag? Is it not the most important symbol of our country? At first glance we see the national flag, in second place we read the space for recreating around the monument, and from there we enter into the third zone- the exposition area. In the exposition zone could be presented important Bulgarian ancestors to whom we owe the 1300 years long existence of our country.
In Sofia we have several big monuments, but just one of them is with Bulgarian (and not Russian) routes. My desire is to convert the monument into the resident’s favorite place, where they could rest, learn and feel learn about their nation; a place where national holidays and sport events could be celebrated, as it has to be in front of a monument named “1300 Years Bulgaria”.
Boris Bonev
On top of the original steel structure of the monument is added a spiderweb from triangles which surrounds its full spatial volume. In this way a new abstract form appears, which is not communicating a direct message, but is converted into a media communication, where different messages could be presented. The new construction could be covered in hard material and the façade to serve as a projecting plane for 3D mapping on different topics and from different artists. Additionally the coverage of the monument could be changed if the materials allows and the digital print on the façade could be visible also during the day. The space around the structure and its interior could be used for exhibitions and cultural events.
Simona Gergova and Kamen Popov- 1331
Enough has been said and written on the ugliness and the symbolic importance, what has been demolished for its existence and what not. As if the monument has to be punished and sacrificed. Long enough it has been left to demolish and is dangerously symbolizing the scaring sequels of the regime. It is listed as “dangerous”. A good approach is to look for alternative solution of the problem. Let’s respect ourselves and our past, thanks to which we are what we are. This is exactly the theme of the of Prof. Stanchev’s work – “Past, present and future”…
Knowing exactly where we are in town, valuing adequately the influence we have on the environment and trying to bring back the balance by importing a breath of fresh air to the city centre of Sofia.
The concept of the project is the interpretation of the volumes (the so called “Time Spiral”) with delicate opening to nature by covering it in vegetation. Bringing to life the steel and the concrete, creating a living filter of the air we breathe, underlying the link with the environment even in the central city area and the busy everyday life. The usual understanding of the plants from another, different point of view has philosophical meaning for the interpretation of the problems and the growing up above them looking from a birds fly eye. One more thing- we suggest a fully buildable decision despite the conceptual idea of the contest. It is time again to start building and not only to destroy the nature, the environment and ourselves. Let’s convert the monument in a monument of maturity and the respect towards ourselves.
Lycheza Danailov and Zlatina Danailova
With a lot of respect and care we refer to the work of prof. Valentin Starchev. Misunderstood from the society, the architectural and sculptural ensemble is unique. It is one of the few sculptural compositions, where architecture, sculpture and history have united and linked for an idea.
The space is understood extremely well- this assemblage let us understand it from many points of view- under or above the square.
The intervention has to be very delicate and not contradicting to the main ideas of the professor. The message left from the past generations and the thousands of years of Bulgarian history which are represented by this monument have to be understood and to convert us into stronger and united Bulgarian citizens. We suggest the two prisms- like volumes to be covered into light stone as used for The NPC on top of the metal structure. These volumes are the crystal structure, where the raster and the light plates will underline the idea for monumentality and power. The metal sculptures to be recovered with the finish of old metal. The idea for The Golden Age of Simeon, Pieta and the Creator will be underlined on the background of the light architectural volumes.
The exposed metal construction could either be also covered in light stone as the other two prisms and to be kept the original idea of prof. Starchev or to be fully planted and the idea of the wings and the flight to the future will be interpreted with the greenery and life, living on the monument. The wall between the two staircases could also be planted. In that way the green system of the square is also integrated in the ensemble. There could also be placed an exposition of photos from the creation of the monument in 1981 until today.
A water mirror could also be added on the roof of the underground gallery. Through the power of water and the reflections of the sculptures the monumentality of the ensemble is underlined. The water has calming and relaxing effect which would make people to stop, to think and to realize the intentions of the monument. Another benefit of the water mirror is the lack of need from safety handrail.
The space underneath the cantilever is suitable for an information centre. We suggest locating there the quiet space where to sit aside from the traffic and the noises of central Sofia with a book in your hand or just looking at the ensemble and the greenery.
Between the concrete volumes could be located lights illuminating upwards and visually separating and marking them as volumes. Behind the sculptures could be placed dyadic or other suitable lights which to underline them during nighttime.
Lets try not to forget and separate ourselves from our history, but to gather around saving it. Let’s be proud that we are Bulgarians and that we have our history and memory, that we remember what we have passed through and succeeded to save ourselves as a united nation, now walking together to the future.