(text is machine translated by Google)
A cemetery without graves; reverential biocenter? - Blanka Solár in the Mini Gallery
Architect Blanka Solár deals with the undignified burial system. As part of her diploma thesis at the BUT Faculty of Architecture, she designed a cemetery without graves. She joined her interest with the association Last Track z.s. and tries to open up the sensitive topic of burial in the context of big business and legislation. Exhibition Cemetery without graves; reverent biocenter? uncovers the confessions of an undertaker and a crematorium employee and shows the contemporary possibilities of sustainable burial. The exhibition can be seen in the Brno Gallery Mini on the premises of the Faculty of Architecture, BUT until October 26, 2023.
The exhibition is an audiovisual confrontation of the images of the vision of the "cemetery of the future" (a biodiverse composed landscape - places where it lives) by architect Blanka Solár and the critical inner voice of the gravedigger and crematorium employee, mediated by Adam Vokáč's audio narrative. It draws attention to the reality of the current funeral industry and presents legislative restrictions on the choice of our last footprint.
After more than 100 years since the legalization of burial by cremation and the influence of industry responses to the problem burial of growing urban populations, the topic requires a critical review. The exhibition encourages reflection on this issue and allows visitors to add their signature to a petition for free and sustainable burial, issued by the association Last Trace z.s.
The Pietní biocenter is " vision of the cemetery of the 21st century''. A project following the diploma thesis Projective space; Cemetery without Graves at FA BUT in Brno 2020 (studio Kristek-Sedlák) with its structure and functioning relates to two areas - the problems of biocenters and their maintenance in the Czech cultural landscape, and on the other hand, to the currently ongoing debate on the liberalization of the funeral law and the updating of funeral industry in the Czech Republic. These liberalizing tendencies promote modern, usually more ecological and sustainable approaches, which are already available abroad, especially in the form of composting human bodies - so-called "terramation" (Germany, USA).
As part of the opening on October 10, there was also a discussion by Blanka Solár, gravedigger Adam Vokáč and ecologist and landscape engineer Vilém Jurek. Another accompanying discussion and exhibition will also take place on November 13. 2023 from 18:00 in the Funeral Studio at Vinohradská 161, in Prague – Strašnice, where the exhibition will move.
She is the founding architect of the bams office studio and the Cemetery of No Graves initiative with the aim of connecting relevant experts and raising awareness for the topic of a memorial biocenter. Since 2023, she has been a member of the association Last Track z.s. He is currently engaged in his own architectural practice, creative work and activism associated with natural burial.Adam Vokáč (*1997) is an undertaker and administrator of the Luční hřbitov at the Ďáblický hřbitov in Prague. He completed the American Green Burial Masterclass course and later founded the Last Track association, which deals with natural burials. Through it, he spreads awareness about new possibilities in the funeral industry and aims for their general and legislative acceptance.
Vilém Jurek (*1985) graduate of the Faculty of Forestry and Woodwork of the Mendel University in Brno , field of Landscape Engineering. Ecologist and popularizer of environmental protection and long-time employee of the non-profit organization Rezekvítek for the care of nature.
Images and graphics: Blanka Solár
Audio narratives: Adam Vokáč
Expert consultation: Rostislav Koryčánek
Thanks: Adéla Šoborová, Jan Kristek, Dana Sítařová, Karolína Munková, Klára Netrefová, Ludmila Jankovichová
The audio component of the installation is technically provided and sponsored by Harangi Sound s.r.o.. Large-format printing is sponsored by SRP s.r.o.
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