A series of debates, programmed in partnership with SpainNOW!, explored the concept of urban public space and its relation with political dissidence through the voices of emerging architecture practices and thinkers that consider public space the starting point to rethink the assets of our cities. With Emma Enderby, Serpentine Curator and Ethel Baraona, dpr-barcelona.
Session 2: Architectural Dissidence in the Public Arena
Public space is a complex scenario that involves different interests and actors including citizens, public administrations, private clients and all other parties involved in its governance. All these forms of influence also open the door to large uncertainties. Can architects and designers, through public space, stimulate citizens’ self-organisation and facilitate social interaction within communities? Can contemporary public space generate real structural changes in our contemporary system? This second session included a lecture by architect and critic Ethel Baraona followed by an open conversation with architect and curator Gonzalo Herrero.
Ethel Baraona Pohl is a critic, writer and curator. She is co-founder, with César Reyes, of the independent research studio and publishing house dpr-barcelona, operating in the fields of architecture, political theory and the social milieu. Their [net]work is a real hub linking several publications and actors on architecture and theory. She was Associate Curator for Adhocracy, first commissioned for the Istanbul Design Biennial in 2012 and exhibited at The New Museum, NYC (May 2013) and Lime Wharf, London (Summer 2013). Ethel and César have also been curators of the third Think Space programme with the theme ‘Money’ and they are currently curating the exhibition Adhocracy ATHENS at the Onassis Cultural Center, to be open from 29 April to 5 July 2015.
Gonzalo Herrero Delicado (CHAIR) is an architect, curator and writer on contemporary architecture and design based in London. Trained at the University of Alicante, he has worked for a number of international practices, including Lacaton & Vassal Architectes in Paris, before moving to London to start working as curator of The Architecture Foundation, in charge of its public programme of events. He is currently focusing on a number of independent projects between Spain and the UK, exploring the role of the architect in the public realm through new curating formats connecting architecture and society www.gonzaloherrero.eu.
Post World’s End Architecture is a series of debates programmed in partnership with SpainNOW! the annual season of contemporary Spanish art & culture in London.
Supported by
SpainNOW!
AC/E Acción Cultural Española
ING Media
In media partnership with
Blueprint
