The City Unknown: IAF Summer School 2024 _ In-between collecting and drawing
"A city always contains more than any inhabitant can know, and a great city always makes the unknown and the possible spurs to the imagination.” — Rebecca Solnit, Wanderlust, a History of Walking
IAF Summer School participants were invited to uncover the ephemeral city in this year’s programme. The City Unknown took place online and in-person from May 10-18, 2024. This programme of conversations and workshops featured a range of international emerging architects and urbanists (LINA fellows). With a focus on exploring, mapping, drawing out and then sharing the often hidden, ephemeral and embedded qualities and stories of cities, participants of The City Unknown summer school experienced the city of Dublin in a way they would never have imagined.
The City Unknown was led by LINA fellows from three exciting and accomplished European collectives: METASITU (Greece, Ukraine, Spain), continentale (Italy), and Spolka (Slovakia).
Collaboration with LINA fellows
IAF Summer School consisted of 3 parts and 5 events:
Part 1. METASITU, 10-11 May (in-person)
- Event 1: Conversation Friday 10 May, 18.30-20.00 (18 participants) - Event 2: Workshop Saturday 11 May, 10:00-17:00 (14 participants) Venue: IAF House
Part 2. continentale, 14 May (online)
- Event 3: Online Workshop Tuesday 14 May, 18:30-20:00 (24 participants) Venue: Zoom
Part 3. Spolka, 17-18 May (in-person)
- Event 4: Conversation Friday 17 May, 18.30-20.00 (5 participants) - Event 5: Workshop Saturday 18 May, 10:00-17:00 (7 participants) Venue: IAF House
LINA fellows Spolka
Date: 17/18 May 2024
Venue: IAF House, Dublin, Ireland
“In-between collecting and drawing“ – Spolka’s contribution to The City Unknown – was an invitation to generate a visual narrative through drawing and mapping activities in Dublin’s city centre, with a focus on intangible urban experiences that held collective relevance for participants. Employing cartological explorations as a medium for engagement, these events examined universal urban issues beyond the visible.
>> Conversation
Friday 17 May, 18:30-20.00
On Friday evening Spolka (Viktória Mravčáková and Zuzana Révészová) introduced their collective practice, and invited discussion through questions and prompts.
>> Workshop
Saturday 18 May, 10:00-17:00
In Saturday’s workshop participants engaged in collaborative drawing and mapping in Dublin city, with Spolka as facilitators. Dublin’s Capel Street was chosen as the location for two fieldwork sessions during the day. Participants returned to IAF House to create collective maps around common topics of concern.
