Layer House

The recent renovation of a former residence of the Slovene painter Leopold Layer (1752–1828) in Kranj has resulted in the development of a significant cultural venue known as Layer House. Maintained by Carnica Institute for Culture and Tourism, the house has become a junction of cultural happening in Kranj, hosting social, creative, concert, literary, theatre, and educational events. In addition to a coffee house located in the atrium with a garden offering a delightful venue for concerts, literary or theatre events, Layer House also includes a small museum dedicated to the glass photo inventor Janez Puhar), artists studios, and artist residences.

Leopold Layer

The son of painter Marko Layer, Leopold Layer was most active in the early part of the 19th century. His works can be found in many churches throughout Slovenia as well as in the National Gallery of Slovenia. He is perhaps most famous for his work in at the Basilica St. Mary Help of Christians in Brezje. For this Slovenian National Shrine he painted the chapel and the portrait "Marija Pomagaj Brezje" ("Mary Help of Christians at Brezje").

Organisational structure

Situated near the Khislstein Castle in Kranj, Layer House's 18th-century architecture is characterised by classicism and baroque. The building's recent transformation into a multi-purpose art area with a cafe, a museum with several permanent exhibitions, and three apartments designed for visiting artists-in-residence was funded in part with a grant from the European Regional Development Fund.

Museum

The first-floor museum is divided into three parts, with one room exhibiting walls with restored 19th-century frescoes, another showcasing an impressive collection of works by Leopold Layer himself, and the third devoted to the life and work of Janez Puhar, a pioneer of early photography credited with inventing a novel method of capturing images on glass in 1841. There is also a small gift shop with unique souvenirs and additional space for various activities.

Residences

The Layer House residence apartments were primarily conceived with the intention to host artists included in its artist-in-residence programme, but these spaces are also available to tourists wishing to experience an authentic stay in the old part of the city of Kranj. The house offers this unique stay to business travellers, couples, friends, and families who aim for a warm atmosphere and enjoy being surrounded by arts and culture.

Banquets

Layer House is also available for rental; its ambient is especially appropriate for any type of banquet (business conventions, anniversaries, birthday celebrations, New Year's gatherings, weddings and other private functions). The house can accommodate smaller parties (20 people or less) or larger assemblies (120 people). In the summertime, a garden with two terraces provides an enjoyable atmosphere for outdoor events.

Cultural programme and activities

In addition to the café, museum and artist-in-residence activities, Layer House also collaborates with partners from Kranj and the rest of Slovenia in creating unique and multifaceted activities.

Živa ulica

Živa ulica (Slovenian for "lively street") was a string of events, workshops, exhibitions and many other activities organised in June 2014 by Layer House on Tomšičeva ulica where the house is situated. These events aspired to liven up the neighbourhood by inviting nearby residents, shop-owners, artists, and visitors to participate in co-creating a lively and energetic atmosphere.

Dvocikel

Dvocikel (Slovenian for "bicycle") is a programme organised by Layer House and Moonlee Records. This innovative concert experience features various 12 music acts or groups that participate in pairs in a Layer House musical residency. Each Dvocikel concert event represents the results of the residency and is headlined by the two acts on two locations (one venue is usually in Kranj and the other one in Ljubljana). In this way, Dvocikel aims to explore the possibilities of live concert set-ups, to provide unique concert experiences, and to support artists by granting them both creative space and an opportunity to connect through diverse musical expressions and genres. Other collaborators in the series include Kataman - Association for Artistic Production, Glej Theatre, and Normala company.

External links

Layer House website (in Slovenian)
Leopold Layer on Wikipedija (in Slovenian)
Leopold Layer on Gorenjci.si (in Slovenian)
National Shrine Mary Help of Christians at Brezje website (in multiple languages)
Janez Puhar website
Dvocikel website