Urbanistinių protestų erdvės perrašymas: Vinco Kudirkos aikštės atvejis ; Rewriting space with urban protests: case of vincas kudirka square

Abstract

Rewriting Space with Urban Protests: Case of Vincas Kudirka Square The aim of the master thesis is to conduct the analysis and evaluation of a certain urban space in Vilnius – Vincas Kudirka square, as well as the protests that take place there. The protests are analyzed as performances, while urban space as a scenography (material and technological stagecraft) for those performances. Stages of research: 1. Conduct an analysis of theoretical review of literature. Following theoretical guidelines of Michel de Carteau and Henri Lefebvre the description of the geographical place is being discussed, moreover, the transformation into the space, its parameters and creatures. In terms to achieve more comprehensive concept of the space, attention is also paid to descriptions of the site-specific art and scenography. First part of this master thesis also discusses the concept of urban protests as the practice of space – ways of creating, while exploring the concept of performance (Richard's Schechner's theory). This part also analyzes the relationship between urban protests and the space itself (ideas of Erika Fisher-Lichte). Some orientation questions are presented. 2. Conduct an analysis of some particular examples of urban protests at Vincas Kudirka Square. Some brief settings of Vincas Kudirka Square are mentioned in order to observe how urban scenarios around this space change and how protests affect it. The literature of urban anthropology is analyzed in order to explore the concept of space and the factors that create it. Moreover, since the protests are viewed as performances, and space as a possible scenography for it, performance theory and site-specific art literature are analyzed. Having completed both the theoretical literature analysis and the research of the case, it has been concluded that urban spaces should not be represented as the city's gated property or as walled garden. These spaces should be spaces that provide citizens with opportunities to engage in political and social debates. Municipalities of the cities should plan the streets for artists and protesters to create stages for their events and to communicate their political and any kind of ideas. The protest is an appeal; therefore, it needs the widest possible audience.