The Baltic Material Assemblies

The Baltic Material Assemblies presents architecture from the Baltic States investigating the materialities and infrastructural and cultural connections that seem to have persevered the political borders and conflict lines that changing regimes have aimed to introduce in the region. The exhibition investigates the projections of futurity as they seem to be inscribed into geologies, infrastructure and architecture.

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are the only former Soviet states to have become members of the European Union. An overwhelming majority of the energy networks, mining operations and urban layouts that were instruments of the soviet industrialisation of the Baltic States remain functional today.

The reconfiguration or dismantling of this vast space demands a new relationship between society and its environment. The transformation of the Baltic States is incremental, synchronized, negotiated on many levels and in many cases only made possible through the support of other members of the EU.

Electricity grids, fossil fuel pipelines, nuclear assemblies, geological sections, minerals, landform buildings, insulation materials, and landscape photographs are assembled in this exhibition and outline the background to the new architectural commitments of the Baltic States.

The exhibition opening will take place at 6pm on 28 February 2018 at the Architectural Association followed by a Public Preview from 7pm at the RIBA. The event is kindly supported by Lithuanian, Latvian and Lithuanian Embassies in London.