DRVENGRAD AND ANDRICGRAD IN DEVELOPING THE IDEA AND THE CONCEPT OF HETEROTOPIC SPACES –THEME PARKS AND “THEME TOWNS”

Abstract

Heterotopic spaces represent a more present phenomenon in contemporary architecture since the utopic thought, concept, narrative and revolutionary programme in architectural discourse as well as generally in socio-political setting has arguably come to an end. The aim of this paper is to explain the heterotopic concept broadly as well as to offer the possibility of viewing and clarifying it through conceptualization of theme parks and “theme towns”. While theme parks “improve” corporative scenery, theme towns came into being as a product of an artistic initiative, which alongside their conceptualization in the sense of façade formation have the tendency to promote both commercial and artistic content. The very thesis of the paper is based on the possibility of detecting phenomena which point at the presence of “otherness” in architecture beyond what belongs to the category of everydayness and commonness. It is assumed that the realizations present in the development of an idea and the conception of the theme parks and “theme towns” as forms of artistic aspirations, especially regarding domestic examples of Drvengrad and Andricgrad, are the reflection of the current tendencies within heterotopic discourse.