11 May 2009

Artists and architects collaborate for symposium

Luminaries from the world of art and architecture will come together for a one-day International Symposium hosted by the University of Dundee’s Geddes Institute.

Taking place at Dundee Contemporary Arts on Thursday, May 14, the Symposium features a line-up of world-renowned figures from a number of disciplines.

Five sessions are planned for the Symposium. In one, Juhani Pallasmaa, from Helsinki, will discuss his community projects in Finnish Lapland, while Professor Gavin Renwick of Duncan of Jordanstone will describe his work with the Dene Community in North-West Territories, Canada in another.

A variety of other projects and collaborations will be discussed during the Symposium, which will be opened by Professor Georgina Follett, Dean of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design and Deputy Principal of the University.

Richard Demarco, a noted artist and promoter of visual and performing arts, will co-chair sessions with Michael Spens, editor of New York-based Studio International and a Senior Research Fellow at the University. The Symposium will be followed by the opening of the exhibition ‘Landworkers’.

The interdisciplinary exhibition will run until May 29, and exhibits case studies of collaborative projects carried out by participants in the Symposium, alongside other artists and architects from across the world.

In addition to the projects discussed in the Symposium, exhibits include:

• Merchant’s House Garden, Kirkcaldy in Fife by Professor Tracy Mackenna and Edwin Janssen.
• Drummond House at Meigle, Perthshire by Graeme Hutton, Dean of the School of Architecture at the University.
• A revolutionary Roman Catholic village church in Malta by Richard England (and its development).

Michael Spens, one of the organisers of the Symposium, said, 'This is about collaboration between disciplines within Scotland and other northern regions, eg, Finland and Canada.'

'This symposium showcases the work of leading staff members at Duncan of Jordanstone, the School of Architecture, all under the sway of the Geddes Institute, and the principles of the great Dundee founder, Sir Patrick Geddes.'

'Dundee occupies a pivotal post between the Central Belt and the Highlands and Islands, as the projects demonstrate.'

'This is a unique international event bringing together luminaries from the world of architecture, and other disciplines, such as visual arts projects.'

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk