Urban Body: Community in Gentrification
Agnė Tamkevičiūtė
1/ Agnė is a Vilnius-based architect focusing on urbanism and inclusive design. She specializes in developing guidelines for cities to create welcoming and equitable public spaces. Known for her fact-based research analysis, Agnė is passionate about collaborative projects with artists, blending data-driven insights with creative expression.
2/ Ugnė is an artist-educator based in Rotterdam, interested in raising awareness about the everyday environments people inhabit. She delves into the experiences of overlooked or marginalized communities, using her work to highlight the stories of often invisible individuals. Ugnė is dedicated to amplifying the voices of those whose perspectives are frequently excluded due to social or cultural barriers
"Urban Body: Rediscovering Community in the Face of Gentrification" unites Rotterdam and Vilnius to explore how gentrification impacts community structure and cultural heritage. Through artistic expression and interdisciplinary dialogue, the project uncovers how urban changes disrupt community identity, revealing invisible threads that bind people to their environment.
Our immersive exploration blends art, storytelling, and community engagement for a personal, emotional experience. We use participatory mapping, sensory ethnography, and immersive theater to engage audiences, challenge assumptions, and foster empathy across perspectives. We prioritize co-creation with local residents, empowering them to shape the project's direction and reclaim ownership of their narratives.
The project aims to foster meaningful dialogue and contribute to the global discourse on gentrification and urban resilience. We emphasize preserving cultural heritage and community bonds amidst shifting urban landscapes, offering insights for future city planning and development.
We aim to catalyze tangible policy change through partnerships with local policymakers, advocacy organizations, and grassroots movements. Our artistic installations, interactive performances, and community-driven interventions encourage participants to see the city as a living ecosystem of stories, struggles, and dreams.
Our long-term commitment involves fostering sustainable partnerships and initiatives that sustain the momentum of our project, ensuring the voices and visions of gentrified communities continue to shape urban landscapes. By celebrating the resilience and ingenuity of gentrified communities, we provide strategies for preserving and revitalizing neighborhood identities amidst urban change.
The project aligns with the ethos of fostering experimentation, collaboration, and innovation in spatial practices while addressing contemporary urban challenges.