Since the rise of industrialization, our societies have been driven by economic growth, technical progress and urbanization. In fact, today more than half of the world’s population lives in urban areas. But recently, our drive towards industrialization has shifted towards a new found appreciation for natural environments. The more people migrate to urban areas and we become increasingly dependent on personal devices and other technologies, we have also intensified a hard-to-satisfy craving for escape tp peaceful time away from the hustle and bustle of urban life. Phenomena like eco housing, urban gardening, outdoor restaurants, and “green” city initiatives demonstrate how we are trying to incorporate nature back into our urban lives. Is is possible to integrate nature and architecture or are these opposing environments irreconcilably in conflict?

City life and natural life are often divided and posed against each other. Many of us feel ourselves pulled between conflicted desired things — on the one hand, opportunities, resources, energy, comfort, stimulation for innovation, and interaction that cities provide, and, on the other, natural life with fresh air, clean water and peace. We love natural flowers in our flats, green lawns near our homes, hiking the snowy mountains and sunbathing near the sea during weekends. So, can we exist in both worlds? Is modern humanity composed of technological beings, natural beings, or a hybrid of both?

In the “Nature vs. Architecture” multimedia exhibit, young Ukrainian artist Yulia Beliaeva brought this topic into public discourse. She used gallery walls as canvas and created virtual 3D projections that imitated water and natural landscapes. The visitors explored and manipulated nature by interacting with the exhibit. Photos of the city landscapes throughout served as reminders that the natural and architectural environment exist simultaneously.

About artist

Yulia Beliaeva is the winner of the B POSITIVE art contest held in December 2017 at America House. Born in 1988 in Gysin, Vinnitska oblast, Ukraine. Lives and works in Kyiv, Ukraine. In 2011 obtained Master’s Degree in Graphic Design at Mykhailo Boychuk National Institute of Applied Art and Design, Kyiv, Ukraine. In 2013 graduated from New Art School «Media Art for Practitioners», Kyiv, Ukraine. Since 2012 she participates in group and solo exhibits in Ukraine, Europe and the United States. Works with different types of media: digital art, VR, 3D modeling, photography and neon.