Rruga (2016) is the second episode of the series of four films about micro economy and resourcefulness in urban public space, and is set in the streets of the Albanian capital Tirana. Like the other films, the Tirana episode describes 24 hours in thirty minutes. Micro economic practices determine the city’s street life but also spontaneous architecture is present: balconies have transformed into an extra room, air conditioning drainage winds down the walls. Street stalls are being rebuilt and taken down on a daily basis, Eastern bloc-style kiosks are opened and closed, scales are offered as a service, and some vendors stroll the streets finding clients. Tirana is a city full of contrasts: architecture in a world without architects or building regulations and informal trade are confronted with expensive limousines and sports cars cruising the streets.
The realisation of Rruga has been made possible by Tomesen’s artist-in-residence at the Tirana Institute of Contemporary Arts (TICA) and was supported by Mondriaan Fonds.
Exhibitions and screenings as a single screen film
2016
European Mobility Week, Shkoder – screening
Reja, Tirana, – screening
Polis University, Tirana – screening
Albanian Embassy Art Gallery, Den Haag – solo exhibition
Miza Gallery, Tirana – group exhibition AIRLAB
2017
Urban Cinematics, Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies, Rotterdam – screening
Sesama Art Space, Yogyakarta – screening
Plateaukunst, Margraten – group exhibition
Embassy of the Netherlands in Albania, Tirana – screening during the fair Women in business
