“Tuhast” installation

The winner of the Narva Urban Installation Residency (NAIR) Competition is Tuhast (Eng. “From the Ashes”) by Augustas Lapinskas. Their installation materialises Ida Virumaa’s transition from its industrial past towards its future as a regional beacon of circular economy and ecological revitalization, drawing inspiration from the stratified layers of oil shale, the material emblem of the region, and the recent innovations that made plans to reuse Oil Shale Ash (OSA) waste possible.

During the period of the residency, the author explores the use of bio-receptive OSA concrete — a pioneering state-of-art material that amalgamates oil shale ash with traditional cement, while experimenting with novel concrete-casting techniques to recreate form and texture of shale-rock formation. As a part of the public program, the artist organised a series of presentations and workshops, engaging the local community and visiting students to explore the themes of urban ecology and sustainable materials, fostering a practical understanding of the environmental and social impact of industry.

Tuhast will be opened to the public in October 2024, as a 3-metre-tall arch portal, inviting to walk through a symbolic threshold that marks a transformative point in time for the region. Designed to support biofilm growth, the piece will display the development of a local living ecosystem on its surface, symbolising the transition of oil shale ash industry to a green power that will help to fight the climate crisis and mitigate the negative impact of concrete in the region and beyond.

Augustas Lapinskas is actively engaged in artistic research and interdisciplinary collaborations, has co-founded the interdisciplinary art collective micro-empathy, and is a member of the speculative architecture group 3022.

The project is a part of TAB 2024 Satellite program, is administered by Narva Art Residency, and is supported by Narva Municipality, Estonian Cultural Endowment, Estonian Ministry of Culture, and Lithuanian Council for Culture. Installation production partners: 3DKoda OÜ, Decora AS, Enefit, and D&M BALKANSKI OÜ. Project friends: Kohtla-Järve Museum of Oil Shale, Ragn-Sells AS.