CREATIVITY GAME

Some of the research and themes explored in the process even trigger the need for further development or research themselves, thus following on from some of the thoughts and ideas already presented in the previous journal. The results of the »Lego-Plečnik« workshop, which we continued in 2023, proved to be of lasting relevance, involving many other actors in its circle of activities during the year. In the new year, the workshop will continue in the interpretation of the works of the architect and urbanist Edvard Ravnikar.

The research on conflict zones in light of the Rapallo border and the associated defence systems has also proven to be of urban and social relevance. Within the context and working framework of the ARIS core projects, the research has developed new dimensions in understanding this type of spatial challenge by working with urban planners, architects, historians, humanists, and geographers. The project »Rapallo Border: a quarter of a century of existence and a century of heritage and memory« is ongoing and, with an interdisciplinary approach, continues to bring new findings with each new research step.

This once powerful and now forgotten spatial reality has permanently marked the space from Triglav to the Gulf of Rijeka in its materialisation. With the move of the sixth defensive section of the Rupnik Line along the northern border of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, it also marked the Slovenian mountain range from the slopes of the mountains above Lake Bohinj to Šentilj, and south as far as Ptuj and on to Maribor, and the easternmost fortified position at Hodoš. It is only through observation and field exploration of the remains that we can experience the real significance of this once mighty defensive infrastructure. The very process of searching for, or exploring, the remains of fortifications in difficult and inaccessible locations is evidence of the effort a nation has made to protect its own existence. As permanent markers of space, the remains are reminders of these historical flows, and, just as they once influenced spatial development, they remind us that they are still an active factor today.

The relevance of researching this topic appears to be very limited when only reviewing and comparing the references and related European cases available in the literature. Observing similar spatial elements in Europe, which in many ways served as a conceptual basis for the builders of the Rupnik Line, offers a real glimpse back into the past through the experience of space and a basis for reflection on the role of these monolithic and mighty fortifications in contemporary space.

Looking at the contemporary contextualisation of different societies provides a comparative basis from which creative thoughts can be formulated to make sense of these national heritage monuments. The mighty air defence fortifications in Kiel in the north of Germany, which silently testify to the exceptional harbour role of the German Navy more than 70 years ago, followed very different social ideals despite their different purposes and their construction. Today, these present a challenge of spatial issues that is similar to the one posed by the fortifications of the Rupnik Line, when it crossed urban areas. Field observation thus turns out to be a process of understanding related challenges for the present and the future on elements that once physically or figuratively stood opposite each other.

Happy reading magazine no. 11/2023.