Anja Podreka

Mapping Memories – Sava, Majdičev log

Soundwalk

The project explores the river as a water body that constantly flows “through place and time of human history”, leaving behind traces that become an inevitable part of the environment and a proof of coexistence between nature and humans.

Through the soundwalk, participants learn about the notion of coexistence while discovering the history and ethnography of the river, created jointly by water and human activity. The river shapes life, defines our living spaces, delivers and takes away goods – it is a body of water travelling through space and time.

Exploring rivers through people’s narratives reveals recurring problems and challenges while suggesting possible ways of cohabiting with rivers and living alongside them. Every water body coexists with humans and vice versa; people live with rivers that have sustained their lives. Over time, these roles have shifted and transformed into manipulative exploitation of resources and destruction of habitats.

The project is based on interviews with local residents and experts on the Sava River, research into the city’s development around it and an exploration of the Majdičev log area. The many layers of stories reflect the intertwinement of people and environment that shaped and witnessed the river’s transformation throughout the history of Kranj and the Sava Island.

The project explores the river as a water body that constantly flows “through place and time of human history”, leaving behind traces that become an inevitable part of the environment and a proof of coexistence between nature and humans.

Through the soundwalk, participants learn about the notion of coexistence while discovering the history and ethnography of the river, created jointly by water and human activity. The river shapes life, defines our living spaces, delivers and takes away goods – it is a body of water travelling through space and time.

Exploring rivers through people’s narratives reveals recurring problems and challenges while suggesting possible ways of cohabiting with rivers and living alongside them. Every water body coexists with humans and vice versa; people live with rivers that have sustained their lives. Over time, these roles have shifted and transformed into manipulative exploitation of resources and destruction of habitats.

The project is based on interviews with local residents and experts on the Sava River, research into the city’s development around it and an exploration of the Majdičev log area. The many layers of stories reflect the intertwinement of people and environment that shaped and witnessed the river’s transformation throughout the history of Kranj and the Sava Island.

Anja Podreka

Holding a degree in art education and a master’s degree in scenography, and working as an art teacher, she is the author of a series of soundwalks focusing on rivers. She has created soundwalks along the Drava, Krka and Sava rivers, portraying landscapes through the interweaving of past and present stories. Her artworks addressing water and her water paintings have been awarded and exhibited in leading national and international galleries.

Artist: Anja Podreka
Photo: Maša Pirc

Artist: Anja Podreka
Translation and editing: Melita Silič
Cover photo: Maša Pirc
Production: Institute Carnica, project BIEN 2021
In collaboration: Cona, Institute for Contemporary Arts Processing
Part of the festival: Sound Walk City · prelude

Sound Walk City · prelude was initiated by the walk · listen · create platform, in collaboration with the Cona Institute. The Ljubljana edition is produced by the Cona Institute, Steklenik Gallery.

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