The objects and installations of the legendary Lelia factory have been transformed into a new space for events and discussions

Costume linings turned into ornate curtains, window grilles turned into outdoor furniture, old hangers turned into a decathlon table. This is how the first space, Offshore Eyes, has been reborn on the territory of the legendary Lelia clothing factory in the capital's Naujamiest. The team led by artists Robertas Narkas and Vytautas Gečs used a lot of old interior, industrial and fittings parts found in the factory premises. „Offshore Eyes is the first space in a huge project that will transform the Soviet factory into Europe's largest tech industry city - Tech Zity - by the end of next year.

This workshop is not a one-off project - Tech Zity's creators will be offering all the companies that will set up in the town the opportunity to use the old sewing room items they have repurposed with the help of artists in their new interiors. Creative reuse. upcycle), the process will preserve the highlights of the sewing factory, which has been in operation for more than 70 years, in the newly resurrected space, which will accommodate around 5,000 employees.

According to the artists, the conversion of the site creates a unique opportunity for change to take a sustainable path, as well as a broader opportunity for dialogue between different groups in society.

„Paneriai Street is transforming from a concentration of mid-century industries into a city of new digital technologies. This process not only involves renovation of premises and infrastructure, but also a change in the social fabric and class structure. New Town is entering a post-industrial era of advanced capitalism - the hum of machines and cogs is replaced by the soft melodies of a computer keyboard. Some theories put forward by urban anthropologists describe this transformation as a natural evolution, a tectonic fault line spreading out from the centre of the city in waves. Unfortunately, important stories, places and people are often drowned and forgotten in these waves. Let's dream that this time things will be different - the creative community, the harbingers of change, sometimes called marginals or the leftist academic community, are coming forward and contributing to the creation of the future as an equal, critically important meaning-making force, not only asking questions, but also looking for answers,“ says artist R. Narkus, who represented Lithuania at last year's Venice International Biennale.

According to Darius Žakaitis, CEO and co-founder of Tech Zity, this small space is only a symbolic sketch of the whole project and its sustainable change.

„It will be Europe's largest and most sustainable tech campus, so we want to keep the authenticity of the place, from details like the wall tiles to the huge spaces and 7-metre-high ceilings. We have also asked artists to help us create unique, new things from the objects found here, but reminiscent of an old sewing factory. I am sure that many of the companies that will set up here will continue in this direction and will use the details of the unique factory in their interiors,“ says Žakaitis.

„The conversion of the Lelija factory will be the largest renovation project implemented by Tech Zity - the capital's sewing factory will be home to a 50,000 sqm technology industries campus, which will include co-working and office spaces, event halls, lofts, cafes, bars, educational, sports, fitness and other public spaces. The first phase of the project is scheduled to start at the end of next year.

„Offshore Eyes can be found in Vilnius, Paneriai str. 43.