When artistic initiatives began to be implemented in 2012, one could feel the alienation among the residents. Neighbors knew little about each other, and there was no lively, direct communication. Persistent littering and indifference towards the living environment encouraged the search for ways to transform the courtyard space into not only a cozy and interesting place to live but also a communication area where a new social phenomenon could be formed—melting away the alienation between people.
“Nijolė’s cat”, sitting in the window with yellow shutters, did not appear by chance. Its blue eyes followed the neighbors taking out their trash daily. The cat’s unusual gaze invited the residents to reevaluate their living environment, perhaps even to pay attention to it in general and reflect—to stop littering.
The portrait of “Neighbor Nijolė”
(visualization project)
The woman not only loves and nurtures flowers but also inspires other courtyard residents to decorate their windows and balconies with flower arrangements.
Kiemo Galerija 