Labin Art Express XXI

Labin Art Express XXI (L.A.E.) is an independent underground cultural and art association established in 1991 and based in the former coal mine in Labin, in the Istria region of Croatia. It describes itself as an exoteric cultural and art association that cooperates with artists and non-artists alike, guided by the credo that art today must be young, all-encompassing, universal, modern, fierce, moral and synthetical. Rather than a closed group of artists, L.A.E. positions itself as a platform for alternative, underground and off-scene creativity. The association's activities span radio, multimedia cultural programming and large-scale conceptual projects. In 1993 it launched what it describes as the first independent radio station in Croatia, which was closed by governmental decision in 1996. In 1998 it opened the international multimedia Cultural Centre "Lamparna" in one of the abandoned coal-mine buildings. Lamparna has since served as a multifunctional international cultural and youth centre, hosting exhibitions, performances and other events. L.A.E.'s capital project is "Underground City XXI", an ambitious proposal to construct and establish what it calls the first real futuristic underground town in the world, in the abandoned tunnels and halls of the Labin coal mine some 160 metres below ground level. The envisioned town would include streets, bars, restaurants, galleries, concert halls, a children's playground, a swimming pool, a Museum of Coal Mining and a "red light" district, with its own government, mayor, police and laws. The project reflects the association's long-standing interest in transforming industrial heritage into a total, spatially immersive cultural environment. L.A.E. also organises the Industrial Art Biennial, an international art biennial, and runs projects such as FLUX Female Digital Creativity and SCC Lamparna. Its work is rooted in the specific history and landscape of Labin's mining heritage, turning a decommissioned industrial site into a living venue for contemporary art and youth culture. The association operates as an independent, non-commercial cultural entity rather than a conventional commercial company, and its public profile rests on its curatorial, artistic and community programmes in Istria and beyond.

Labin Art Express (L.A.E.) was established in 1991 as an independent underground cultural and art association, based in the former coal mine in Labin, in the Istria region of Croatia. From its beginnings it defined itself not as a clannish group of artists but as an exoteric association cooperating with artists and non-artists who share the idea that art today must be young, all-encompassing, universal, modern, fierce, moral and synthetical. In 1993 the association launched what it describes as the first independent radio station in Croatia. That station was closed by governmental decision in 1996. In 1998 L.A.E. opened the international multimedia Cultural Centre "Lamparna" in one of the abandoned coal-mine buildings. According to the association, this was the first step in realising its capital project, "Underground City XXI" — the construction and establishment of what it calls the first real futuristic underground town in the world, in the abandoned tunnels and halls of the Labin coal mine some 160 metres below ground level. The envisioned underground town would include streets, bars, restaurants, galleries, concert halls, a children's playground, a swimming pool, a Museum of Coal Mining and a "red light" district, with its own government, mayor, police and laws. Over the following decades L.A.E. continued to operate Lamparna as a multifunctional international cultural and youth centre and to develop projects such as the Industrial Art Biennial and FLUX Female Digital Creativity. Its artistic credo commits it to supporting everything alternative, underground and off, and to promoting and producing work by individuals and groups who believe in its conception of contemporary art. The association remains active and based at the former Labin coal mine.

• 1998

  International multimedia Cultural Centre "Lamparna" opens in an abandoned coal-mine building.

• 1996

  The independent radio station is closed by governmental decision.

• 1993

  L.A.E. launches what it describes as the first independent radio station in Croatia.

• 1991

  Labin Art Express (L.A.E.) established as an independent underground cultural and art association in Labin, Croatia.

• Underground City XXI project proposed as a futuristic underground town in the Labin coal mine tunnels.

Independent underground cultural and art association transforming industrial mining heritage into contemporary art and youth culture venues.

• Cultural Centre Lamparna

  Multifunctional international cultural and youth centre in a former coal-mine building.

• Underground City XXI

  Capital project to create a futuristic underground town in abandoned mine tunnels and halls.

• Industrial Art Biennial

  International art biennial organised by L.A.E.

• FLUX Female Digital Creativity

  Project focused on female digital creativity.

1. 1LAE-HOME PAGElae.hr
2. 2LAE-About LAElae.hr
3. 3Labin Art Express XXI - Wikidatawikidata.org