Conference "Spatial Culture and Identity"

How can an architectural and urban spatial culture contribute to the establishment of a new identity for a population and place? This is the question to be discussed in the context of this international and interdisciplinary conference. The term “spatial culture” (Raumkultur) is understood as a spatial expression of a society and its culture. This can be set at the level of architectural culture (Baukultur), but also on a more abstract, intangible and spatial level. Spatial culture can be both the result of random and uncontrollable processes, as well as the expression of a more or less conscious design will. Identity is formed both from the outside (the view of outsiders and their perception) and from the inside (the view of the population living in a specific place). The conference asks about the relationship of an existing or potential spatial culture and its effect on an existing or potential identity. How an identity can shape an appropriate spatial culture and how far and under what conditions can a spatial culture create a new identity is the question to be discussed by international speakers. These will help to develop such a "view from outside" by presenting successful case studies or discuss topics that are inherent to the relation between spatial and cultural identity. To this discussion belong strategies and concepts surrounding the mediation and presentation of identity in the context of architectural exhibitions as well as the reflection on methods and instruments of collection and presentation of such relations. In this regard, a particular reflection on the relevance of cartography (mapping) as such a relevant instrument will be proposed.

This view from outside may consider the place of the conference, the Principality of Liechtenstein, reflecting on its possible future development and the role of a new cultural space for the establishment of a new identity. Central to the definition of a spatial culture defining an identity is the question whether Liechtenstein will in future focus its attention to internal (spatial) values ??(and if so, which ones?), or open itself to a bigger context - such as the Rhine Valley and the Lake Constance Region and to try to find its specific place within. Does a new identity develop by separation or integration?

The conference aims to be a forum for an open and interdisciplinary discussion, a possibility of knowledge exchange and the sharing of points of view between the individuals and the institutions involved as well as the interested public.

Friday, April 20th 2012

14:00-14:30 Welcome

14:30-15:00 Introduction,
Peter Staub, Alberto Alessi, Andri Gerber

1. Space-culture and Identity
15:00-15:30 Angelus Eisinger
15:30-16:00 Stephan Günzel

16:00-16:30 Break

2. Situations
16:30-17:00 Arno Ritter
17:00-17:30 Stefan Kurath

17:30-18:00 Break

18:00-19:00 Panel Discussion

Saturday, April 21th 2012

8:30-9:00 Coffee

Input
9:00-9:30 Didier Fiuza Faustino

3. Geographical Identities
9:30-10:00 Barbara Piatti
10:00-10:30 Franco Farinelli

10:30-11:00 Break

4. Representing Identity
11.00-11:30 Martin Heller
11:30-12:00 Bart Lootsma

12:00-13:00 Final Discussion

Speakers:
Angelus Eisinger
Professor for History and Culture of the Metropolis at the HafenCity Universität Hamburg

Franco Farinelli
Professor for Geography at the University of Bologna

Didier Fiuza Faustino
Architect and Artist, Paris

Stephan Günzel
Theorist of Media, Professor Berlin Technical University of Arts, Berlin

Martin Heller
Art Director of the Swiss Expo02, Head of Heller Enterprises, Zurich

Stefan Kurath
Lecturer at the ZHAW in Winterthur, Head of urbanplus, Zürich

Bart Lootsma
Theorist and Critic of Architecture,
Professor at the University of Innsbruck and University Luxemburg

Barbara Piatti
Lecturer at the Institut für Kartografie und Geoinformation of the ETH Zurich

Arno Ritter
Director of Architekturforum Tirol in Innsbruck,
Curator of the Austrian Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2012

The conference is in English and is organised by
Peter Staub, Alberto Alessi, Andri Gerber and Stefanie Jutkeit

Informations and registration: uni.li/scai