The Bohemia of Laisvės Alėja: Young Researchers in Urban Studies of Memory

It is a cooperative project between young (students from different areas) and experienced researchers initiated by the Gallery “101” and dedicated to the research of urban memory. The project took place from October to December of 2013 and analyzed memory places related to the bohemian lifestyle in Laisvės Alėja (Laisvės Ave). The following dimensions were important for the project: collaboration (of students, researchers and experts), development of practical skills of young researchers, application of theoretical knowledge and dissemination of research.

This project is a scientific extension of an artistic memory project carried out in 2011 (organized by VMU Art Gallery “101”, curator Dr. Daiva Citvarienė) in the spaces of Laisvės Alėja called “Atminties sparnai” (The Wings of Memory), during which VMU students of new media arts collaborated with professional artists and created art projects about the historic memory of Laisvės Alėja.

The aim of the project is to encourage scientific engagement of young researchers and set conditions for a creative application of scientific knowledge in practical research.

Projects by young researchers:

Memory Archive

It includes collection and publication of memories, accounts, archival, photographic and other historical material and artifacts in the blog of the project. The young researchers collected stories of city residents (bohemians, historians, etc.) about the artist communities in Kaunas, bohemians and café culture in the past and today.

A Tour around the Bohemian Laisvės Alėja

The catalogue / tour guide features material collected about the most important bohemian memory places in Laisvės Alėja. The publication here includes not only a historical survey, but also personal memories and stories collected during the research study.

The tour “The Bohemia of Laisvės Alėja”

A public tour around the bohemian places of Laisvės Alėja was organised and based on the data collected for this catalogue. The tour allowed reconstructing the cultural processes of the past, describe the change of city's identity throughout different stages of its life and reflect on the relevant connection with current features of city's cultural identity.