DS4 | OXFORD BROOKES UNIVERSITY
PHOTOGRAPHIC DERIVE
Skopje
INTRODUCTION
Who we are
Design studio 4 2018-2019
A derive is often described as the act of aimless and random wandering through a place, and is also associated with a method of exploration. Design Studio 4, led by tutors Jason Coleman, Nicholas Boyarsky and Louise Cann, used the method of the derive to explore and research the city of Skopje, Macedonia, over a two day period.
Abdulhaq Ahmadzai Aisyah Hamid Antony Sadler Georgina-Marina Andreou Jason Yap Kar Juen Katherina Metzdorff Khalid Aideed Liyana Abdullah Rob Goacher Tannaz Kargar Yap Shook Yen Zain Akbur Zariq Jasni Thanks to our tutors; Jason Coleman Louise Cann Nicholas Boyarsky
Each day’s derive spanned approximately eight hours of walking, with periodic stops in between. The photographs from each derive were then compiled and curated, to allow the group to collate them into a catalogue. This catalogue presents each derive in chronological order, following the paths undertaken by the group. This path has also been indicated on a map, to better allow readers to follow and understand the relationship between the places explored. The intention of the catalogue is to give readers a grasp of our experience of undertaking the derives, as well as presenting the places that were visited, without imposing or suggesting any specific meanings or interpretations.
DERIVE 01 (WEST - CENTRE) The walk began at Goce Delcev Student Dormitory in the western part of Skopje. Led by Damjan Kokalevski, we spent approximately half an hour at each location before moving on to the next one. Moving up north from the dormitory, we arrived at Skopje’s City Archive and each member of the group had the chance to speak to Damjan about the significance or even about the history of the buildings visited along the walk. Next, the group moved on to the next location where the historical barracks are located. These barracks were donations from several countries to aid Skopje after the 1963 earthquake. From the barracks, we then walked to an abandoned building which sparked interest within the group as Damjan briefed us about the history of the building, where multiple parties have tried to claim ownership of it. From there, we then made our way to the Russian Quarter and the Karposh area, where additions are being made on the exterior of the existing apartment buildings. At Skopje Zoo, the group spent around an hour with Ivana Kostovska, a Macedonian architect who worked closely with the revival project of the zoo. The group moved onto the next destination which is Macedonia’s Government Headquarters briefly after sunset. The final destination for the derive on day 1 was the Mustafa Pasha Mosque in the Old Bazaar, and the group disbanded around 9pm in the city centre.
1. Goce Delchev Student Dormitory 2. Post-earthquake barracks 3. Abandoned brutalist building 4. Russian Quarter 5. Skopje Zoo 6. Republic of Macedonia Government Headquarters 7. Mustafa Pasha Mosque 8. City Centre
DERIVE 02 (CENTRE - EAST) Our derive on day two began at the city centre. We then walked up to the Museum of Contemporary Art. From there, we walked downhill towards the town centre, stopping next at the Museum of Macedonia. Adjacent to the Museum of Macedonia was an abandoned Han, dating back to the Ottoman period. From here the group then passed through the Old Bazaar of Skopje, within which we explored the Skopje Bezisten, a 15th century covered market. After continuing South, we came to the edge of the Old Bazaar where we explored Skanderbeg Square, a recently completed urban project. We then turned east, following Boulevard Goce Delchev until we arrived at the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University. Here we received a brief tour of the brutalist campus by Damjan, our guide, until we then headed south towards the Vardar River. En route to the river, we passed a World War II memorial on the Sv. Kliment Ohridski, in the Park near Macedonian Radio and Television. At the northern bank of the River Vardar, we then stopped at the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Art, where we were given access to explore the interior of the building. Moving on from the Academy, we then briefly walked East along the river, where we came across a Stage that had been built opposite the Youth Cultural Centre as a student project. Crossing the river by the Majka Teresa Bridge, we followed the Boulevard Kuzman Josifovski Pitu until we arrived at the Skopje Railway Station, where we concluded our derive.
1. City centre 2. Museum of Contemporary Arts 3. Museum of Macedonia 4. 14th century Kurshumli Han 5. Old Bazaar 6. Bezisten 7. Skanderbeg Square 8. Ss. Cyril and Methodius University 9. Neoclassical carpark structure 10. World War II Memorial 11. Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts 12. River Vardar Embankment 13. Youth Cultural Centre Installation 14. Skopje Railway Station
By producing this book, DS4 hopes to provide an opportunity for viewers to experience Skopje, a city like no other where multiple architectural styles exist side by side, without physically being there.
The derive book is a compilation of photos taken by the students of DS4 at Oxford Brookes University. This form of documentation demonstrates how a city can be viewed through multiple angles and perspectives.
DERIVE Skopje