From Stockholm to Zagreb: A Comics Artist’s Exchange at Kontejner
As part of the Future DiverCities Twinning Program, comic artist Yana Knight — based at Subtopia, a member of ECHN — traveled to Zagreb for a creative residency hosted by Kontejner. The twinning initiative connects cultural hubs with the pilots to foster artistic exchange, knowledge-sharing, and local engagement.
During her three-day visit, Yana used autobiographical fiction comics to document her immersive experience in the Kontejner space and its surrounding environment. Her daily cartooning practice, informed by both observation and imagination, offered a unique lens on the artistic, social, and architectural layers of the space—from experimental installations and neighborhood walks to a surreal expedition through the building’s underground remnants.
A key moment of the exchange was a comics workshop with students from the Zagreb School of Applied Arts and Design. Together, they crafted fantastical narratives rooted in their recent experiences and the Kontejner space itself, imagining everything from hidden tunnels to dinosaurs and mysterious showers. The collaboration revealed the students’ vivid creativity and their perspectives on both the venue and their city.
A heartfelt thank you to Yana for her inspiring contribution, curiosity, and creative spirit throughout the exchange. Congratulations to both Subtopia and Kontejner for a truly fruitful collaboration that brought imagination, community, and unexpected discoveries to life. We look forward to many more meaningful connections through the Future DiverCities Twinning Program!
