From 11 to May 16, 2015 I'm curator of the workshop: Tеlychka – A Place to Care in Kyiv

Telychka is an abandoned industrial area located between the historical centre of Kyiv and the Dnipro river. The existing infrastructure for cars and trains provide a barrier to the center, but make the industrial zone at the same time easily accessible. The motorway junction, train, bus and metro station Vydubichy is nearby the area. However, many companies have already left the area and the existing industry works in the heavily aging buildings.

This territory is historical for Kyiv, as it is situated near the mouth of Lybid river. The first documentary mention about Telychka goes to 1694. Before the industrial era, it was all covered with lawns where herds of young cows were pastured. The definition of a telychka is a pet name for a cow that symbolizes kindness of farmers to their domestic animals. Also in the Ukrainian tradition telychka is a symbol of prosperity and fertility.

However, on the XX century it transformed into industrial area that was a symbol of Soviet industrialization policy. Today this territory has a potential to become a part of Ukrainian European dream, with creative industry hubs replacing abandoned factories and plants.

The Art Factory is located in a former experimental mechanic warehouse has become a catalyst for the transformation of Telychka. Among many events happening here one should pay special attention to Gogolfest, Ukraine’s most famous arts festival, and CANactions, international architectural festival, as these events has turned this territory into a permanent lab for re-thinking industrial territories.
The next step in the development of this territory should be undertaken through a international workshop Теlychka – A Place to Care. The purpose of the workshop is to explore possible strategic scenarios for the area in which the present synergistic effect can be used.

How can we let Telychka of value to future generations? How can we achieve sustainable long-term development? How do we avoid thinking short term and commercial construction in the area that little value for the city and the society as a whole?

We want to introduce the concept of care as a substitute for Ukrainian tabula rasa approach for similar projects. Previously, there was only one single approach demolish everything and start again. An approach in which only the commercial benefits were paramount. A project carried out by care should be a pattern for further urban interventions in Kiev and put an end to the usual breakdown culture.