Public Space

CONFERENCE

REINVENTING HARBOUR CITIES -
URBAN PLANNING AND ART IN PUBLIC SPACE

REYKJAVÍK, NORDIC HOUSE

25 April 2008, 6p.m. - 8 p.m.
10 May 2008, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Participants:
Adriaan Geuze, West 8 (Rotterdam) | Christopher Marcinkoski, Field
Operations (New York) | FREEE art collective (London) | Jürgen Bruns-
Berentelg, HafenCity (Hamburg) | Louise Mielonen Grassov, Gehl
Architects (Copenhagen) | Ólafur Elíasson (Berlin, Copenhagen) | Ute
Meta Bauer, MIT (Cambridge) | Vito Acconci (New York)

Harbour cities have long been formed by industrialization, shaped by
international trade and constantly confronted with the untamed power
of the ocean. Today, these cities compete on a global stage as they
create new identities, new images to attract foreign business and
tourists. As the industrial zones of business harbours are moving out
of city centers to the outskirts of towns, prime waterfront areas are
opening up for the development of commercial, residential, and leisure
spaces. It is about revitalization of entire districts, a constant
restructuring of city life, rejuvenating individual and community
engagement with and within the urban environment, or in short:
Reinventing Harbour Cities. Culture-measured in part by avant-gardist
concepts and perspectives, architectural attractions and artist works-
plays a significant role in creating cities' new identities. Recently
built concert houses and museums are emergent landmarks, parks and
squares have become the stages for various art forms and performances,
and all are important links to the social life of inhabitants and
visitors alike.

Reykjavík, the largest city in Iceland and the world's northernmost
capital, has seen enormous economic and cultural growth in recent
decades. As the harbour and public spaces within the city continue to
develop, policymakers, corporations, urban planners, artists, and
individuals have a shared responsibility to discuss how Reykjavík's
future will be shaped for all who live and work here.

This international conference aims to open such a discussion by
focusing on urban development and the role of art in public spaces of
harbour cities. The development, privatization, and changing
identities of cities that have grown as a result of their seaside
locations present critical challenges for urban planners as well as
for artists living and working within these cities. As private
companies and investors have increasing power in terms of reinventing
urban landscapes both physically and culturally, this presents a
crucial opportunity for artists to reconsider their own potential to
help shape public space.

The conference will be organized by CIA.IS - Center for Icelandic Art
in cooperation with Listaháskóli Íslands (Iceland Academy of the Arts)
and the Nordic House.

Program:
Christian Schoen (CIA.IS)
with Jóhannes _órdarson (LHÍ, Dept. for Architecture and Design) and
Kristján Steingrímur Jónsson (LHÍ, Dept. for Visual Arts)

http://www.cia.is/news/conference.htm

CIA.IS - Center for Icelandic Art
Hafnarstroeti 16
IS-101 Reykjavík
T: +354-562 72 62
F: +354-562 66 56
infocia.is
www.cia.is