Andy Day, traceur and photographer has documented a dynamic series of images that bring together urban exploration, history and monumental architecture. Over the course of three months, the Brit athlete traveled to Serbia, Croatia, and Bosnia in search of ‘spomenik’ — World War II monuments scattered across what's now former Yugoslavia. The structures were commissioned by former Yugoslavian president Josip Broz Tito in the 1960s and 70s to commemorate sites where WWII battles took place, or where concentration camps stood. The monuments were designed by different sculptors and architects, conveying powerful visual impact to show the confidence and strength of the Socialist Republic. In the 1980s, these monuments attracted millions of visitors per year, especially young pioneers for their "patriotic education." After the Republic dissolved in early 1990s, they were completely abandoned. Day however changed that when he tasked several parkour athletes from the region to engage and occupy each of the structures.
Over the course of three months, the Brit athlete traveled to Serbia, Croatia, and Bosnia in search of ‘spomenik’ — World War II monuments scattered across what's now former Yugoslavia. The structures were commissioned by former Yugoslavian president Josip Broz Tito in the 1960s and 70s to commemorate sites where WWII battles took place, or where concentration camps stood. The monuments were designed by different sculptors and architects, conveying powerful visual impact to show the confidence and strength of the Socialist Republic. In the 1980s, these monuments attracted millions of visitors per year, especially young pioneers for their "patriotic education." After the Republic dissolved in early 1990s, they were completely abandoned. Day however changed that when he tasked several parkour athletes from the region to engage and occupy each of the structures.
Photo by Andy Day.
"I’m fascinated by concrete and the unlikeliness of these bizarre creations was enticing, in addition, I knew that the parkour communities of Serbia and Croatia were incredibly strong. The athletes I spoke to were keen but, being cautious, I read up on Yugoslav history before visiting Belgrade and Zagreb to meet as many people as possible and discuss my ideas….trying to understand how the ‘spomenik’ are perceived is incredibly difficult, especially if you don’t have an understanding of the circumstances that led to their creation and everything that has happened since. The complications and internal contradictions are endless". - Andy via designboom
