ABOUT THE PROJECT
Project organized by Arhitext Design Foundation in partnership with
- Argeș Territorial Office of Romanian Architects Order – OAR Argeș
- National University of Arts Bucharest – UNARTE
- National Music University of Bucharest – UNMB
- Polytechnic University of Timişoara – UPT
- Technical University of Cluj-Napoca – UTCN
- Technical University “Gheorghe Asachi” Iasi – UTI
- National School of Political and Administrative Studies SNSPA
- University of Architecture and Urbanism “Ion Mincu”
Project co-funded by the National Cultural Fund Administration
ABOUT THE TOPIC
The International Creative Retreat is dedicated to unlocking / re-discovering the meaning and role of written text, of the imaginary created by the latter, through dialogue between art, political and social sciences, in and through their theoretical and critical approaches.
The title is a paraphrasing of the biblical allegory of the “return of the prodigal son” and is used not only as a basis for communication, its meaning being obvious for the wider audience, but also as a challenge, a stimulus for reflection and creative thinking, by swithcing the focus from the prodigal son to the steadfast one (some would call him conservative, cantankerous, a critic, or worse, antiquated and reactionary). This switch is motivated by the fact that the fable, even in recent literary, moral (in short, lay) reinterpretations, uses the prodigal sibling as its central character. We are convinced as well as excited by the idea that turning the spotlight on the other brother will open new perspectives on existing issues, by formulating more dramatic questions regarding a specific camouflaged (intentionally or not) reality. Likewise, we will be able to formulate answers that are not easily available or that are usually uncomfortable or difficult to accept.
Since we are concerned with promoting the written culture, specifically that which is connected to architecture, visual and show arts, we have a few suggestions about the way the fable can be re-read:
- the two sons (or daughters) represent two ways of thinking and living: a traditional / conservative / localist one and a modern / avantgarde / globalist one, etc.
- the prodigal son (or daughter) does not return and the other sibling leaves as well.
- the wealth that is brought into discussion is the written cultural heritage, specifically the architectural, visual one, etc.
- equally interesting is the father’s attitude towards his two descendents
- who are the descendents of the prodigal son? what about the other brother’s ones?
SPECIAL GUESTS
- Bogdan Ghiu – writer
- Andra Dumitru – sociologist (ATU)
- Adrian Aramă – PhD. arch., UT-Facultatea de Arhitectură și Urbanism Cluj-Napoca
- Ionel Oancea – PhD. architect, Iași
- Sandu Alexandru – Prof. PhD. architect, UAUIM – București
- Ștefan Vianu – Associate Professor, PhD, philosopher, UAUIM – București
- Vlad Gaivoronschi – Prof. PhD. arch. UT-Facultatea de Arhitectură Timișoara
- Ruth Bernatek, architecture historian and theorist, Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London
- Ștefana Grădinariu – architect, winner of the “Critical Discourses” essay competition – “East-centric Arch” Bucharest Triennale 2016
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Architecture historian and theoristArchitecture historian and theorist, Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London
Doctor of philosophyDoctor of philosophy at the University of Geneva with a thesis coordinated by Professor Alain de Libera.Bucharest
ArchitectȘtefana Grădinariu is an architect practicing between London and Iasi. With an interest in multi-disciplinary practice, she works across architecture, exhibition design, film and writing, having founded her own studio in 2017. Current works include the interior design for a school in Iasi and an exhibition about Abram Games at The National Army Museum in London. She has previously worked for Nissen Richards studio where she collaborated with institutions such as The British Museum and The V&A. Stefana has trained at the AA, The Bartlett and Sir John Cass Art in London and is currently teaching Design and Creative Practice within the Architectural and Interdisciplinary Studies Department at The Bartlett. Ștefana is winner of the "Critical Discourses" essay competition - Bucharest Trienanle, East-Centric Architecture 2016.
Architect Ph.d, ProfessorArchitect Ph.d, Professor, UPT - Faculty of Architecture, Timișoara
THE COORDINATION TEAM
Arpad Zachi – host and coordinator
Ilinca Pop – mediator
REGISTRATION PAGE
THE RETREAT
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