Epoch. Film. Architecture: The use of heritage in contemporary architecture

During the period of three school years, the elective course in the second year of Master studies THE USE OF HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE was directed towards the notion of tradition and heritage as concepts through the relativization of their temporal and spatial dimension. This was executed through the specific thematic framework named “Epoch. Film. Architecture.” which focused on the research of the cultural context of former Yugoslavia and the role of architecture in the 4 films from characteristic periods.

The goal was a critical analysis of the topics of heritage, modernity, the social and cultural role of architecture, and additionally understanding the changing role of an architect in the dynamic context of the second half of the XX century in the context of the Balkans.

The main step was forming an interpretation model based on the disciplinary knowledge and methods and interdisciplinary exchange to analyze the formative aspects of depicted spatial practices in the specific media (film).

Starting from the film, as a form of representation, which is at the same time a signifier and a signified content, a practice in itself and a representation of the practice, the curricula were directed towards understanding the influences of the specific cultural and social phenomena of the epoch and overcoming the prejudices and stereotypes related to heritage. The representation of different social, cultural and political contexts of architecture was used as a platform to develop necessary skills for critical thinking among students, in order for them to understand the complexity of various phenomena related to the notion of heritage, modernity, historicity, contemporaneity, authorship, and a discipline itself.

Authors: Ivan Rašković; Miloš Kostić