19th century architectural creativity has had a profound influence on the appearance of the Slovenian space, especially its urban settlements, health resorts and traffic routes. It took shape in the controversial era of the emerging modern nations, a period of rapid population growth and irrepressible optimism and faith in the power of science, which seemed to possess the final answers to the final questions. During this period, an unprecedented number of buildings were erected. Modern architectural forms, intended for all social classes, began to emerge alongside traditional styles. New, intricately designed public buildings appeared en masse to meet the demands of administrative, educational, judicial, cultural, post-infrastructural, banking, health care and military sectors. Numerous private business-residential buildings were built as well as health and tourist recreational resorts. The technical infrastructure was put in place to meet the needs of rail, land and water traffic, while factories and other industrial buildings, public horticultural infrastructure and, last but not least, numerous new churches and traditional manors also appeared. Social, economic and political factors enabled the highly versatile architectural production of the 19th century to reach all fields of public and private life. Distancing from Baroque culture, the architecture resulted in new levels of development, as distinguished by its pervasive creative progress. Never before had architecture been tested so vigorously and so widely by functional requirements and artistic capacity. It was during this period that architects began to experiment in a number of areas and that architecture came to depend on scientific research, innovations, legal regulations and newly-established historical theories to an unprecedented degree. The legacy of 19th century architecture is seen in the numerous representative public buildings that not only are important symbolically but still play a significant role in our everyday lives. Town centres were visually transformed, in most cases acquiring appearances they retain today. Many people still live in19th century residential buildings and villas, which remain unsurpassed in terms of comfort and high dwelling standards. We still use the original 19th century railway network, which has hardly changed since it was introduced. However, although the 19th century had a significant impact on our present-day lifestyle, the wider public are largely unaware of its architectural achievements. The exhibition project of the Museum of Architecture and Design aims to change that.

The exhibition is the first comprehensive overview of 19th century architectural creations in Slovenia.

The old and new photographs, archival plans, historical representations, models and descriptions presented at the exhibition shed light on highly complex issues. Without forejudgement, they provide an overview of the most important architectural and urban works of this period, its main architectural centres, most significant and typical architectural genres as well as its foremost architects, builders and basic styles.

Among the many buildings featured, the exhibition presents: the Presidential Palace in Ljubljana, the University of Ljubljana, the National Opera and Ballet Theatre, the National Gallery, the National Museum of Slovenia, the Slovenian Philharmonic, the University of Maribor Rector’s Office, the Franciscan Church in Maribor, Maribor Military Academy, Maribor Faculty of Law, the old wing of the Slovenian National Theatre in Maribor, National Homes in Maribor and Celje, National Post headquarters in Ljubljana, Maribor and Celje, the Municipal Palace and the Maritime Museum in Piran, Kranj Grammar School, the town halls in Novo mesto, Celje and Ljutomer, the parish churches in Beltinci, Brestanica, Kočevje, Šmartno pri Litii, Žalec, Rogaška Slatina health resort, Ljubljana Central Railway Station and the now demolished famous railway viaduct in Borovnica.

The exhibition places particular emphasis on traditional town houses and aristocratic palaces, residential buildings for tenants, town villas, early residential buildings for working classes, first blocks of flats, churches, chapels, synagogues, monasteries, castles and manors, town halls, public palaces, theatres, schools, railway stations, hotels, health resorts, hospitals, prisons, barracks, fortresses, architecturally planned open public spaces, cemeteries, mausoleums, bridges and plants.

The exhibition will be accompanied by an extensive (over a hundred page) and richly illustrated large-format monograph, which is the first comprehensive overview of 19th century architecture in Slovenia, presenting the subject from various perspectives, including a general historical view, an overview of stylistic and main building types, a comprehensive building catalogue and biographies of foremost architects and builders.
The texts will be accompanied by numerous photographs of the most prominent architectural monuments in Slovenia, which richly illustrate their former and present-day appearance, and plans and depictions from Slovenian archives and museums.

Curated by: Dr. Igor Sapač
Photos: Miran Kambič

Opening

Thursday, 28 November, 7 pm

Programme

Lecture: Barry Bergdoll »

Organization

Museum of Architecture and Design
T: 00386 (0)1 5484 280/274
E: infobio(at)mao.si