2010 Workshop competition entry.
The proposal reshapes the visual axes and directions of the public square. Proposing new building blocks, the dominant direction of the space is reshaped and an important value – the church – is highlighted. Nominal “micro” spaces are also scattered around, which allows the implementation of multiple usage scenarios. The entrance to the Miestiečių square becomes recreational. Here we offer to place sculptures for the deserving citizens of Šiauliai. The space is parallel to Aušros avenue – created as a more active area. Dedicated to the transitory market, as well as for smaller events. The central square with a small amphitheater is intentionally created for larger events. Design proposal consists of other local spaces: one in front of the polytechnic institute, The Church, and a square space for the newly created monument.
In order to avoid possible conflicts of space usage, we propose to group the functions according to the principle of similarity, assuming that the section of Tilžės street is the dividing line between “profanum” – everyday life and “sacrum” – sacred functions. Such a principle without any conflict meets the needs of two different social needs (with sometimes opposite scenarios).
The theme and metaphor of M.K. Čiurlionis’s painting “Spring” was used to create the newly formed monument, which is essentially multifaceted. The bell and its abundance are both a symbol of death and mourning and a herald of freedom and struggle. We believe that this dual semantics also applies to the specific purpose of both honoring and ritual scenarios. The monument is not intended to be concretely figurative. This aims at a more universal semanticization of it. The space of the monument is organized to allow a large number of people to gather, but at the same time it aims to observe its tranquility. In addition to the main highlight – the monument, four local places for solid small memorial objects are planned, to be used for independence celebrations and other events that are not directly associated with mourning.