Verica Kovacevska

In 2014, the artist invited children aged 5 to 10 to contribute to the new master plan for the Kasernen-Areal in Zurich. The area was being developed by the city and the canton of Zurich, with many parties involved, yet children were not included. The artist explained how the Kasernen-Areal had been used previously and asked the children to envision its future – Would it be a place to play or learn? What colour should it be? What should it feel and sound like? And who would use it – children, adults, animals, trees, insects, creatures from our imaginations, or everyone? 

 

Based on this, the children created their proposals. Many included playful scenarios, such as sliding down buildings, battling monsters, and walking on elevated footpaths connecting treehouses. Some were simple yet beyond our imagination – a rainbow slide or a volcano playground that spits balls. They not only provided valuable insights into the children’s inner worlds but also emphasised the need for greener and more communal spaces. 

 

Following this, the artist submitted the drawings in a document to the city and canton of Zurich, advocating the importance of children’s inclusion in the urban planning process. They responded positively and committed to taking their ideas into consideration during the development of the new master plan.

 

In 2025, the artist recreated the work in Skopje in collaboration with the Kiro Grigorov Primary School and Centar Municipality, and later presented the children's drawings side by side in her solo exhibition "When Water Runs Dry", providing a rare opportunity to observe how children perceive and experience public spaces in both Zurich and Skopje.

 

(Photos: Roman Richers, Urs Schmid, 2014;

Ani Kostova Petrovska, 2025)