Audrius Ambrasas received criticism from the public about the decoration of the Green Bridge: it was possible to predict

It was predictable

The architect calmly looks at the collapsed avalanche of comments, that was to be expected. “It was possible to predict, knowing how the appearance of posters in public space is discussed. But don’t try too hard. My aspiration is simple, I saw myself as an architect, every time I walked on that bridge seemed to have lost its image, as impoverished without sculptures, the bridge towers were not finished ”, said A. Ambrasas.

When asked what he thought of the comparison of the bridge decoration with Vladas Urbanavičius’s sculpture “The Arch of the Quay”, the architect replied that he was not claiming a new role as a sculptor. And the use of oxidized metal for sculptures in architectural solutions, he said, is a trend of naturalness.

“Naturally oxidizable steel, which can be painted, cannot. Such a trend reveals the essence. I would not like to compare my work with that of a sculptor, I treat these elements as a decorative element of a bridge (like the railing of a bridge Here is an extension of the towers, they should not be called an installation, they are only elements of small architecture that complete the architectural composition of the bridge. At night, the lighting is turned on, another image is obtained (thanks to the Vilnius lighting) This is how we treat it ”, explained the architect.

The composition is called “Green Bridge Signs”. Signs, according to Ambras, that someone was standing there. “Along the way, a different idea came up: the Green Bridge was already blown up at the end of the war. At that time, its construction was completely different: high steel armor was thrown on the Neris. Perhaps in a certain sense, the display of that structural steel element on pedestals could be understood as a reminder of the old and true Green Bridge ”, said the architect.

However, it’s hard to dismiss the idea heard in 2014, when, in the absence of discussions about how to deal with the capital’s controversial Green Bridge sculptures, architect A. Ambrasas had offered to put them in cages for a while.

“This short-term art installation project was part of the art program of the 2nd Vilnius Street Art International Festival, but that project was not carried out. According to this idea, the steel structure should limit and reduce the effect of the sculptures. Later, we saw that if the sculptures were removed, such elements could replace them, the architectural exposure of the bridge would be maintained. Seven years later, when the opportunity arose, the idea became a reality, ”said the architect.

There was no talk of temporality

The interlocutor denied floating speeches that Green Bridge Signs is the same temporary installation as Saulius Paukštis’s Megareality Kindness Activator or Donatas Norušis Family. According to him, these are unrelated projects.

“At the beginning of the year, the municipality announced a contest for the“ I believe Vilnius ”program, initiating the creation of artistic accents in various parts of the city. About two hundred applications were submitted. There was only our offer for the Green Bridge. Twelve projects that received funding were selected by independent experts, and we were among them. There was no talk of temporality. We found out, we handed it over to the municipality. This element of the small architecture will be at her disposal, she will decide how long to keep it or leave it forever ”, explained A. Ambrasas.

In 2017, the architect, who received the National Prize for Culture and Art for sensible planning of urban spaces and professional responsibility, assured that he remained faithful to his critically acclaimed project. I believe. However, in his opinion, we should focus more not only on the objects that have emerged, but on the space in general. “When driving or walking on a bridge, cross the marked line. Without the sculptures, the classic highlight of the towers was gone, and now the formation of that space, in my head, is restored ”, said the architect.

The most important thing is that ideas come true

This year, 500 thousand LTL were allocated for the implementation of 12 projects selected in the “Kuriu Vilnius” competition. financial support. The “green bridge signs” cost 18,464 euros.

He fears that this project has been implemented at too high a price, said the architect. “It just came to our knowledge then. We have made estimates, there is no interest in us here. We chose a cheaper, but reliable metal manufacturer, amounted to about 12 thousand euros. During that time, the metal also became more expensive, but the manufacturer agreed to bear the additional costs. About 6 thousand expensive outdoor lighting fixtures. That was the price … Unfortunately, often the opinion is formed only from photos or captions, “said A. Ambrasas, head of the architect’s office.

The architect, who moved the townspeople into new stormy discussions, noted that reactions can always be varied, but more importantly, ideas come true. “All kinds of ideas are born in the head or on paper, sometimes ideas remain. However, the most fun is when the ideas come true, when you see that everything has turned out as you imagined. I have received positive opinions and reactions from people whose opinions are important to me, which makes me happy, ”said A. Ambrasas.