|
40 years ago this month in Paris….Mai 68 |
| posted by duncan on Friday, 23. May 2008, 13:46 in topic: whats going on |
“Be realistic, demand the impossible”
From a time when architects DID change the world.
If you were walking the streets of Paris this month 40 years ago, chances are you would be completely caught up and participating in a time that has since changed French society forever.
Then, France was on the verge of a total revolt with 12 million workers on strike, 122 factories occupied, and millions of students fighting for a radical change in the way the world was working. A spark that boldly called for revolution and dreamed of an end to capitalism appeared to come out of nowhere. Its ripples sparked further questioning and action in other parts of the world including our own little island.
Ultimately, Paris ’68 did not succeed, but that’s not to say that the spark has been fully quelled or, indeed, that it wont boldly appear again in what are still troubled times.
From this explosion of direct action, self control and organisation of space, erection of and life behind barricades, experiments in mass participative democracy and violent confrontation with the powers, new ideas formed and are still forming about how our world works, what alternatives are more desirable and what has to be done to bring these dreams about.
In Ireland the spark seemed to ignite on an already quietly kindling Derry, which directly led to a bitter and bloody 30 year confrontation. The Paris flame was later felt in Dublin’s universities where again students occupied and fought for change, if albeit to a lesser extant then their French comrades. An interesting thing to note is how art and culture played a significant part in these days of action, from the Situationists’ ideas, films, posters, actions in Paris to sometime later, the Free Derry Fleadh with a legendary 23 non stop music session with Luke Kelly and the Dubliners to Tommy Makem’s “4 green fields”.
Today in Barcelona and many other places, May ’68 is being remembered, old films footage of street riots is being shown in cinemas, political spaces are again facilitating dialogue between activists from yesterday and today. This is just a little reminder, that the spark is still alive and kicking…
From Paris ’68 to where?
Paris ‘68
It began when university students in Paris occupied the area of the Sorbonne and Nanterre universities in response to a dispute over visiting rights to a female students’ dormitory. The protests grew into a call for wider university reforms and greater personal freedoms that led to three weeks of mass demonstrations. Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets to protest heavy-handed police treatment. In a show of solidarity, ten million workers, or roughly two-thirds of the French workforce, went on strike. It marked the biggest general strike in French history.
Ireland ‘68
Derry
Inspired by the growing call for civil rights by Martin Luther King and the blacks in the United States, Catholics in Derry started to organise themselves peacefully for change. The city on the edge was on the border of Northern Ireland and was unjustly maintained in a state of apartheid against the catholic “Irish” nationalist community.
In March 1968, a small number of radicals in the city founded the Derry Housing Action Committee, with the intention of forcing the government of Northern Ireland to change their housing policies. They used “direct action” such as blocking roads and invading local council meetings in order to force them to house Catholic families who were on council's housing waiting list for a long time. By the summer of 1968, this group had linked up with the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association and was agitating for a broader programme of reform within Northern Ireland.
In May, news went out around the world what kicked off in Paris, what it could achieve… it showed the times were changing. Perhaps this gave more hope to Derry that change was possible, but also showed what levels the powers will use to quell such demands for change.
“The Troubles”
On October 5 1968, a civil rights march in Derry, the Royal Ulster Constabulary "booted and bludgeoned" a crowd of teachers and clerics off the streets. In response, two thousand students from Queens University marched to City Hall to protest the brutality. These students were then rerouted and blocked by the police, an event that catalyzed the formation of the country's most dynamic student movement, People's Democracy.
On October 5, 1968, activists organised a march through the centre of Derry. However, the demonstration was banned and when the marchers defied this ban they were batoned by the RUC. The RUC's actions were televised and caused widespread anger in nationalist circles. The following day, 4000 people demonstrated in solidarity with the marchers in Guildhall Square in the centre of Derry. This march passed off peacefully, as did another demonstration attended by up to 15,000 people on November 16. However, these incidents proved to be the start of an escalating pattern of civil unrest that culminated in the events of August 1969….
Beyond ‘68, Free Derry and the battle of the bogside…
On 1 January 1969,a group of students in Queen's University Belfast, called People's Democracy, organized a march from Belfast to Derry in support of civil rights. They started out with about forty young people on 1 January 1969. The march met with violent opposition from anti-civil rights counter-demonstrators at several points along the route. Finally, at Burntollet Bridge, five miles outside Derry, they were attacked by a mob of about two hundred wielding clubs, some of them studded with nails, and stones. The police, who were at the scene, failed to protect them. Dozens of marchers were taken to hospital. The remainder continued on to Derry where they were attacked once more on their way to Craigavon Bridge before they finally reached Guildhall Square, where they held a rally. Rioting broke out after the rally. Police drove rioters into the Bogside, but did not come after them.
This was officially the start of Derry's "Troubles" and around this time the internationally renowned image "You Are Now Entering Free Derry" mural was established.
Dublin '68 : the gentle revolution
You can listen to excellent half hour radio show:
What if Irish Students in the 1960's had been more radical. with Guests: Margaret McCurtain and Jim Lockhart
Architect students played a main part in this call for change, primarly out of working for better housing conditions.
listen now: www.rte.ie
webpage source: www.rte.ie
click on: Programme 15: 10th December 2006
For links to films, more audio, more texts see:
www.indymedia.ie
May 1968 Graffiti
Boredom is counterrevolutionary.
In a society that has abolished every kind of adventure the only adventure that remains is to abolish the society.
Those who make revolutions halfway only dig their own graves.
No replastering, the structure is rotten.
We will ask nothing. We will demand nothing. We will take, occupy.
Down with the state.
It's painful to submit to our bosses; it's even more stupid to choose them.
Abolish class society.
We want neither to rule nor to be ruled.
All power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely
Politics is in the streets.
Barricades close the streets but open the way.
People who work get bored when they don't work.
People who don't work never get bored.
The boss needs you, you don't need the boss.
Humanity won't be happy till the last capitalist is hung with the guts of the last bureaucrat.
A single nonrevolutionary weekend is infinitely more bloody than a month of total revolution.
We refuse to be highrised, diplomaed, licensed, inventoried, registered, indoctrinated, suburbanized, sermonized, beaten, telemanipulated, gassed, booked.
Coming soon to this location: charming ruins.
Our aim is to agitate and disturb people. We're not selling bread, We're selling yeast.
You will end up dying of comfort.
Poetry is in the streets.
The most beautiful sculpture is a paving stone thrown at a cop's head.
Revolution, I love you.
I'm a Groucho Marxist.
Desiring reality is great! Realizing your desires is even better!
Be realistic, demand the impossible.
Those who lack imagination cannot imagine what is lacking.
Arise, ye wretched of the university.
Professors, you are as senile as your culture, your modernism is nothing but the modernization of the police.
Neither God nor master.
If God existed it would be necessary to abolish him.
How can you think freely in the shadow of a chapel?
The more we make love, the more we want to make revolution. The more we make revolution, the more we want to make love.
Revolutionary women are more beautiful.
Make love, not war.
Down with consumer society.
The more you consume, the less you live.
Commodities are the opium of the people.
You can't buy happiness. Steal it.
The economy is wounded – Lets hope it dies!
I don't have time to write!!!
Don't get caught up in the spectacle of opposition. Oppose the spectacle.
No forbidding allowed.
The freedom of others extends mine infinitely.
From a time when architects DID change the world.
If you were walking the streets of Paris this month 40 years ago, chances are you would be completely caught up and participating in a time that has since changed French society forever.
Then, France was on the verge of a total revolt with 12 million workers on strike, 122 factories occupied, and millions of students fighting for a radical change in the way the world was working. A spark that boldly called for revolution and dreamed of an end to capitalism appeared to come out of nowhere. Its ripples sparked further questioning and action in other parts of the world including our own little island.
Ultimately, Paris ’68 did not succeed, but that’s not to say that the spark has been fully quelled or, indeed, that it wont boldly appear again in what are still troubled times.
From this explosion of direct action, self control and organisation of space, erection of and life behind barricades, experiments in mass participative democracy and violent confrontation with the powers, new ideas formed and are still forming about how our world works, what alternatives are more desirable and what has to be done to bring these dreams about.
In Ireland the spark seemed to ignite on an already quietly kindling Derry, which directly led to a bitter and bloody 30 year confrontation. The Paris flame was later felt in Dublin’s universities where again students occupied and fought for change, if albeit to a lesser extant then their French comrades. An interesting thing to note is how art and culture played a significant part in these days of action, from the Situationists’ ideas, films, posters, actions in Paris to sometime later, the Free Derry Fleadh with a legendary 23 non stop music session with Luke Kelly and the Dubliners to Tommy Makem’s “4 green fields”.
Today in Barcelona and many other places, May ’68 is being remembered, old films footage of street riots is being shown in cinemas, political spaces are again facilitating dialogue between activists from yesterday and today. This is just a little reminder, that the spark is still alive and kicking…
From Paris ’68 to where?
Paris ‘68
It began when university students in Paris occupied the area of the Sorbonne and Nanterre universities in response to a dispute over visiting rights to a female students’ dormitory. The protests grew into a call for wider university reforms and greater personal freedoms that led to three weeks of mass demonstrations. Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets to protest heavy-handed police treatment. In a show of solidarity, ten million workers, or roughly two-thirds of the French workforce, went on strike. It marked the biggest general strike in French history.
Ireland ‘68
Derry
Inspired by the growing call for civil rights by Martin Luther King and the blacks in the United States, Catholics in Derry started to organise themselves peacefully for change. The city on the edge was on the border of Northern Ireland and was unjustly maintained in a state of apartheid against the catholic “Irish” nationalist community.
In March 1968, a small number of radicals in the city founded the Derry Housing Action Committee, with the intention of forcing the government of Northern Ireland to change their housing policies. They used “direct action” such as blocking roads and invading local council meetings in order to force them to house Catholic families who were on council's housing waiting list for a long time. By the summer of 1968, this group had linked up with the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association and was agitating for a broader programme of reform within Northern Ireland.
In May, news went out around the world what kicked off in Paris, what it could achieve… it showed the times were changing. Perhaps this gave more hope to Derry that change was possible, but also showed what levels the powers will use to quell such demands for change.
“The Troubles”
On October 5 1968, a civil rights march in Derry, the Royal Ulster Constabulary "booted and bludgeoned" a crowd of teachers and clerics off the streets. In response, two thousand students from Queens University marched to City Hall to protest the brutality. These students were then rerouted and blocked by the police, an event that catalyzed the formation of the country's most dynamic student movement, People's Democracy.
On October 5, 1968, activists organised a march through the centre of Derry. However, the demonstration was banned and when the marchers defied this ban they were batoned by the RUC. The RUC's actions were televised and caused widespread anger in nationalist circles. The following day, 4000 people demonstrated in solidarity with the marchers in Guildhall Square in the centre of Derry. This march passed off peacefully, as did another demonstration attended by up to 15,000 people on November 16. However, these incidents proved to be the start of an escalating pattern of civil unrest that culminated in the events of August 1969….
Beyond ‘68, Free Derry and the battle of the bogside…
On 1 January 1969,a group of students in Queen's University Belfast, called People's Democracy, organized a march from Belfast to Derry in support of civil rights. They started out with about forty young people on 1 January 1969. The march met with violent opposition from anti-civil rights counter-demonstrators at several points along the route. Finally, at Burntollet Bridge, five miles outside Derry, they were attacked by a mob of about two hundred wielding clubs, some of them studded with nails, and stones. The police, who were at the scene, failed to protect them. Dozens of marchers were taken to hospital. The remainder continued on to Derry where they were attacked once more on their way to Craigavon Bridge before they finally reached Guildhall Square, where they held a rally. Rioting broke out after the rally. Police drove rioters into the Bogside, but did not come after them.
This was officially the start of Derry's "Troubles" and around this time the internationally renowned image "You Are Now Entering Free Derry" mural was established.
Dublin '68 : the gentle revolution
You can listen to excellent half hour radio show:
What if Irish Students in the 1960's had been more radical. with Guests: Margaret McCurtain and Jim Lockhart
Architect students played a main part in this call for change, primarly out of working for better housing conditions.
listen now: www.rte.ie
webpage source: www.rte.ie
click on: Programme 15: 10th December 2006
For links to films, more audio, more texts see:
www.indymedia.ie
May 1968 Graffiti
Boredom is counterrevolutionary.
In a society that has abolished every kind of adventure the only adventure that remains is to abolish the society.
Those who make revolutions halfway only dig their own graves.
No replastering, the structure is rotten.
We will ask nothing. We will demand nothing. We will take, occupy.
Down with the state.
It's painful to submit to our bosses; it's even more stupid to choose them.
Abolish class society.
We want neither to rule nor to be ruled.
All power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely
Politics is in the streets.
Barricades close the streets but open the way.
People who work get bored when they don't work.
People who don't work never get bored.
The boss needs you, you don't need the boss.
Humanity won't be happy till the last capitalist is hung with the guts of the last bureaucrat.
A single nonrevolutionary weekend is infinitely more bloody than a month of total revolution.
We refuse to be highrised, diplomaed, licensed, inventoried, registered, indoctrinated, suburbanized, sermonized, beaten, telemanipulated, gassed, booked.
Coming soon to this location: charming ruins.
Our aim is to agitate and disturb people. We're not selling bread, We're selling yeast.
You will end up dying of comfort.
Poetry is in the streets.
The most beautiful sculpture is a paving stone thrown at a cop's head.
Revolution, I love you.
I'm a Groucho Marxist.
Desiring reality is great! Realizing your desires is even better!
Be realistic, demand the impossible.
Those who lack imagination cannot imagine what is lacking.
Arise, ye wretched of the university.
Professors, you are as senile as your culture, your modernism is nothing but the modernization of the police.
Neither God nor master.
If God existed it would be necessary to abolish him.
How can you think freely in the shadow of a chapel?
The more we make love, the more we want to make revolution. The more we make revolution, the more we want to make love.
Revolutionary women are more beautiful.
Make love, not war.
Down with consumer society.
The more you consume, the less you live.
Commodities are the opium of the people.
You can't buy happiness. Steal it.
The economy is wounded – Lets hope it dies!
I don't have time to write!!!
Don't get caught up in the spectacle of opposition. Oppose the spectacle.
No forbidding allowed.
The freedom of others extends mine infinitely.
conor, Friday, 23. May 2008, 15:54
FORTY years ago, Sean O'Laoire was one of the leaders - along with the likes of Ruairi Quinn and Duncan Stewart - of the first student revolt in Ireland when architecture students occupied their school at UCD in Earlsfort Terrace, and ultimately got rid of its head, the late Desmond FitzGerald.As O'Laoire recalls, there were real fears that the school would lose its recognition by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) - something that was very valuable at a time when so many had to go abroad to work. But it was the wider issues of architecture and society that interested him.
As the new president of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI), O'Laoire has said that one of his priorities would be to "galvanise" all of the architecture schools on the island - the two in Dublin (UCD and DIT), one in Belfast and the newer schools in Cork, Limerick and Waterford.
He wants them to become "vehicles for public debate" involving practitioners, academics and students and interested members of the public to look at "new concepts, projects, new ways of thinking" in a way that would engage with communities and be "meaningful for consumers of architecture, which we all are".
ronan_mc, Friday, 23. May 2008, 18:38
Neither of you were alive in May 1968.I find it silly to eulogise a series of events that have lost their meaning in the fog of time.
Slogans only sell t-shirts nowadays, save it for indymedia
das-horst, Saturday, 24. May 2008, 15:59
cut your neo-marxist rhetorics and make sure we'll be able to bathe in neo-liberal, post-political hedonistic wealth and facilities in Letterfrack in august >-|
hugo_irl, Friday, 23. May 2008, 23:58
That Mai 68 logo is awesome. I would totally get behind that. Not so sure about all the violence though.The only way you'll see me on the barricades is with flowers baby.
duncan, Monday, 26. May 2008, 17:15
Hi, long time since Roubaix, no?Your quiet right re "Neither of you were alive in May 1968." but to say "I find it silly to eulogise a series of events that have lost their meaning in the fog of time." is quiet disengenous. Firstly it is important to understand how much of a backward and in many ways unfair world it was in 68, and how it was just normal requests for decency and justice that was the spark of '68 : housing, civil rights, fair access to education etc. These requests were reacted violently to by the powers of state and, in some cases fearful priveleged classes. But thanks to these events you have the freedom that you enjoy today. In some places that journey for justice has had a very long and very bloody journey, have you visited Derry much? have you seen the damage done by the Omagh bomb, only days after 31 people were blown to pieces?
I encourage you to watch the following youtube clip regarding life in Derry in '68, on our own little island.
I am a pacifist and an architect....
We dream alternatives and we try to make them realities...
You and EASA2008 for this summers investigation / exploration have posed the very relevant question of Adaptation...
ive been exploring this for 12 years, i look forward to our dialogue, and from that what ever ark realities come from it...
By the way, did you listen to the RTE programme? much of the "activists" were from schools of architecture, their "revolution" was to ensure the degrees existence but also, they PARTICIPATED in real world situations, not just easy theory...
They got their hands dirty, took over buildings... one might say a sort of similar SPIRIT moved through them as it does through you and EASA...
The important thing is to have a thorough critical understanding of the ever changing story, in which here and now we are the principal players...
Its not too long ago since being "green" or "eco" had you labelled as an oddball.... but look how much a fuss is made about these issues now: see: A new American Revolution: easa.antville.org
What we are seeing is the AWAKENING, the realisation that the present system is unsustainable and we need to change our ways, its no big thing. Do you feel you have the answers? if so are you putting them in practice, if so, tell us, share, widen the discussion...
Someone who seems to have hit the nail on the head is Paul Hawken, if your not aware of him check out his simple view that what is emerging in this age of BLESSED UNREST is our sub consciuos collective wisdom's immune system kicking in...
"how the largest movement came into being, and why no one saw it coming"...
We are waking up, its no one idea or ism, its all those little drops doing their thing. This is a fantastic time to be alive, i feel the greatest ever, EASA can / should only further be excited by this and from that add to it, share in the magic and let it grow...
Enjoy the journey...
I hope you do listen to that RTE show... see you AUG 10TH, I'll be the one with the yellow t-shirt bringing a few heads around sheriff st, the canal, the liffey, the community gardens, the greenway....
In time, Dublin will be an "eco city", a time when kids will be living in healthy, happy, fun and peaceful communities. Those kids will look back at these days of the "oil age" in disbelief...
"Did people really live like that then Mammy?, why did they if they knew they were killing themselves and their home"
Adeu from public library @ plaza de la Revolucio, Gracia, BCN
ronan_mc, Wednesday, 28. May 2008, 16:01
Hi Dunk,Whilst I support and enjoy many of the views of Henri Lefebrve, the Situationist International and many of the other groups involved in the May 68 activities, I'd prefer keep my political views separate from this blog.
It's worth remembering that many of the French activists in 68 advocated Marxism and the Soviet model. On the flip-side, in Prague the protesters were demanding an end to Soviet rule. In the US events centered on opposition to the Vietnam war and in Northern Ireland, internal politics were the topic du jour. Quite simply, many of the May 1968 causes and incidents are disparate and wholly unconnected.
What I admire of all of them is the proactive attitude to politics, economy and society - something that is lacking in the apathetic modern world!
I disagree with the revisionist tactics of a number of political causes with regard to the events of May 68.
I also disagree with the glorification of such events on a blog that speaks for a non-political network of architecture students. There are students from more than 45 countries active in EASA and I would advise greater tact and consideration in voicing political attitudes in such an extrovert and long-winded manner.
Slán go foill
Ronan
duncan, Monday, 26. May 2008, 18:59
Conor, im interested in finding more links to audio, text and film from Ireland '68 and its exciting time of ark action. Your post shows that the passion that drove those actors then, still keeps them going, it never ended. Its hearthening to see that official steps are being made to further "democratise" and make accessible the "tool" that is architecture. Id be very grateful if you could ask around and get links for me, and more interested people, about this... Maybe we could make a few audio interviews with them about their experiences...On another note, how are the banner doing this year. Away from things here in BCN, im a bit out of the loop...
look forward to what will happen in the next 3 months.
Hugo:
Im sure ill see you someday on some such scenario, and ill be there beside you with flowers in hand too...
seems a long while since 4th year and the days before MAYDAY 04, little did i know how far that would lead...
Interesting decisions made by the editorial board of EASA 08 regarding the telling of the long story of a little island and her peoples...
Anyway, as stated, your playing a blinder, on all fields, imagine your living, laughing, dreaming as much as ever. Things rocking here, lot of Brazilian friends here in BCN, learning a lot, i'll get over there someday, to the home of max and igor cavalera: sao paulo and sepultura....
and porto alegre and the social fora, and learn more about playing with the friends of Augusto Boal, and wander around learning sustainability from curitiba, and eat mangos from the edible streets of Belem...
Where was it you wandered?
adam cp, Thursday, 29. May 2008, 20:22
OHOH - who let the old troll out of the bag?Duncan's been fooling aroud here looking for a fight for a loong time now - looks like he might finally have found it ;)
duncan, Friday, 30. May 2008, 20:20
HI ADAM, troll, hhhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmm, ah well, u remember this:
"Wow, something architectural... (and political)... so i'll comment... just because i like woods very much too...
Yes - architecture is politics! No matter what the architect does it will be a statement about his/hers position in the world, in society... "
easa.antville.org
i wrote an article about EASA and other arky stuff here, perhaps, you and EASA are interested?
ADAPT OR DIE, Blessed Unrest @ Letterfrack?
www.indymedia.ie
what you reckon, magical spirit?
jelkkruk, Saturday, 31. May 2008, 00:43
ah the idiot with the fupsey syndrome is back. it seems to be incurable. it is a miracle they release him from the mental hospital all the time. or do they have this free internet connection to all the patients on the ward? for those who don't know: what is fupsey? repeating all kind of bullshit until you get used to it. the main point is to not make a point but put as much words as you can.
why is the easa website the only website in the world that this duncan can still post on (except for indiemedia of course)?
chris - manchester, Saturday, 31. May 2008, 02:50
can we draw a line under this now?das-horst, Saturday, 31. May 2008, 02:53
indymedia journalists targeted in ecuador, five arrestedi found it somewhere in the 5 billion posts on fupsey/floopsey whatever, so i can do nothing but thank duncan..
duncan, Monday, 9. June 2008, 14:01
howdy jelk, das horst, adam and all.firstly re:
"fupsey? repeating all kind of bullshit until you get used to it. the main point is to not make a point but put as much words as you can. "
eh, no
FUSPEY stands for fun, sustainable, peaceful, existence. It is a (architectural) direction to work toward. film manifesto outlines clearer:
Secondly, we are part of a magical community, EASA, nothings perfect, but we can engage in dialogue about things important. As usual, i inform this community about interesting architectural things, events, ideas....
most of it in "whats going on" easa.antville.org
usually there is little or no response, thats ok, we carry on in our worlds.
It would be great if more of our community did share their views, ideas, thoughts on important issues. I know you do share thoughts through your individual portals, but sometimes we need a common pointer to direct us, or else we get lost...
One common area is this blog/ space, where our collective interesting discussion could / should happen, untill we meet in the real world:
from www.jelkkruk.com :
"With SuperNova Studios we will be appearing in the Pitch! publication on young architects in Den Haag (The Hague). We had our picture taken on the roof of our office one night with the darkening city in the background. "
Great stuff, sounds like fun, im interested in hearing more about your roof, perhaps you'll enlighten us, as here in barcelona we are discussing the occupation of roof spaces of cities for the "second crust": a space for energy collection, food production, water storage, happy place..
(for a clearer view of image see: www.indymedia.ie )
and a little film about this from 2005 thesis:
From das horst 2613-say-yeah.blogspot.com :
"those who have ever seen 'irreversible' by gaspard noe will probably remember the eerie rape scene in the tunnel under the street. next to it being a gripping scene that left you sick and disgusted with mankind "
eh, have to come back to you on that one, but your project "prrs release", is excellent, well done and thanks:
"...this new type of 'medium' which distills the most interesting bits of information from the ocean of data which is the internet and publishes it to paper, ready to print. So you don't have plough through all the blogs every day, and don't have to hurt your eyes reading from your monitor. We are your digital-to-analog information converter!"
easa.antville.org and www.prss-release.org
and from denmark:
"weblog of Adam P. Adam, architect gone urban... The main themes discussed here are urbanism and the body.":
adamintheworld.blogspot.com
abandon.dk - a map of abandoned - but now, no longer secret - places in Danmark
organiseret adgang - a very secretive guy who create "offices" in direlict buildings
sounds very interesting, look forward to exploring further...
In conclusion, we are a highly interesting and maybe passionate community, of sorts. Rather than bitch, why not be constructive, why not excite, why not share our knowledge, dreams, ideas....
from that, perhaps, a spark might pop, from which might come a thoroughly interesting and beautiful world, who knows?
for example: Something Maybe Beautiful
www.naomiklein.org
Eitherway, see yez in Dublin in August, when finally i'll get the chance to share my world with those who are interested in seeing it...
"triple H, ya wha??"
"hacienda, hughes for the trad, ha'penny for sick and indigent"
Sláinte agus go mbeirfidhmuid beo ar an ám seo arís agus go bhfeidhamíd bás le siochain. (cheers/ your health and i hope we may be well when we meet again and that we die with and in peace)
slán libh anois a chairde go leir (by now friends)
enjoy Ireland in august, for many, it still is a pagan place:
Lastly, a request for your input, views on, criticisms of, ideas about:
“Operating manual for Spaceship Earth”, the “design revolution” and EASA's part in this critical process.
the latest feature on EASA blog, found at
"Blessed Unrest @ Letterfrack?"
easa.antville.org
das-horst, Monday, 9. June 2008, 14:56
for quoting from our own weblogs...anyway, i do appreciate all the effort you put in your posts (whether or not they are completely too long et al) and i just want to say this to you: as you obviously have noted, easa has mostly become this hedonistic, neoliberal pleasure paradise, and apparently nobody cares about the world, and i guess we all feel offended when somebody questions this (as you do so often). whether this is a sign of the times, or a symptom of architecture being lost like a little child i don't know, but when im at easa i don't mind, i just want to have a good time.
so why waste all your time here, instead of places where people are more openminded?
now let's hope i don't make too many enemies either hehe..
duncan, Monday, 9. June 2008, 16:00
Hi das horstIm not sure if i have ever met you in the real world, if yes, apologies for not remembering, as ever EASA has always been a strange and magical thing.
Regarding wasting time here: In the EASA space(s), both real and virtual, i did leave, as recent feature "Blessed Unrest @ Letterfrack?" outlines. After the Roubaix experience @ la condition publique, which i see as a failure, i decided to no longer participate in the EASA real world adventures. many of the La CP crew i talked with outlined their sadness at the inability for EASA to understand the brief...
Instead i left and participated in other worlds, ie stirling eco village at time of G8 in Scotland 2005, French pavilion METAVILLA @ ark bienale 2006, various artistic spaces @ Mediterainean, Genoa, Barcelona...(centre of the world) untill present, the ecologists of EIG...
But as a concerned architect, as an irish man, as someone who also just wants to "have a good time", as you put it, i feel it necessary to quesion things, explore all, and from that participate in those things that really do lead to having the best of what can be called a "good time".
My journey has led me to having a deeply spiritual attitude to both my home, this planet, and my family, our species, we are a global community, and from that should work out how to live better to ensure everyone can enjoy that "good time". My architectural journey has taken me to warzones, to earthquake zones, to seeing death on the street of Deli. But also to the beautiful urban phenoman of the berlin love parade, to the adventures in Samogar, Frilande and Roubaix, to the very funny, cheap and deeply enjoyable world here in barcelona with my brazilian friends, to the field of love in west clare....
For me, and many others, participating in important and "real" issues, places, systems brings meaning to life... or to put it more simply: the "hedonistic, neoliberal pleasure paradise" eventually got boring and as life voyage entered the newer world things got profoundly more interesting, beautiful, intense, pleasurable....
The idea that "apparently nobody cares about the world" overall is not correct, many of our community, EASA, do care, but its one thing caring or having opinions about things, the next stage is what actions happen to change things, which is where the architecture and urbanism bits enter. Its not easy, ive views about some solutions and i have shared them with you (the community) in the hope that they might inspire others to participate in this action, ie: "Hero of the planet" Bill Mc Donough, his ideas and how and to where they are spreading...buildings as trees, cities as forests
easa.antville.org
At the end of things, life is a profoundly beautiful miracle, you get out of it, what you put into it. See you in August and we'll have a sup of stout and chat about these things and more.
Ireland and EASA 08 might just be something profoundly spiritual...
and who knows, maybe from it we might just change the world. Because attempting that, in my opinion, is what leads to the maximum of "hav(ing) a good time".
And just to point out, Irelands population in 1840's was 9 million, within 20 years it was down to nearly 2 million due to death by starvation, death on "famine ships" execution for stealing, prison in australia, general emigration. Now the population of the island is only half of what it was 150 years ago. There was food for all, but it all went to the British markets, this is the result of unfair economic models, as happens still today. At home, most of us, still remember this and with that understand this.
As someone with a lot of west Clare family who had to emigrate to the states, Canada, England and nearer to Dublin, we remember that times were hard, we appreciate the fact that today we can decide our own destiny. A lot has changed recently in Ireland, some good, some bad things, thats the way. My understanding of the dialogue regarding ADAPTATION, an excellent and relevant theme which EASA have chosen to explore, is that a thorough questioning will happen. As friends from Cuba outlined "island people have a deeper sense of limits", it is my hope that many valuable and critical ideas will spring from this 2 week adventure next august. In preparation of this i invite you, EASA, and all to participate in the dialogue: Blessed Unrest @ Letterfrack?
which is simply about "Adapt Or Die".
easa.antville.org
I leave you with the sounds and words from our latest poet, Damo:
LOVE YOURSELF
ç
and wise words from a previous legend from around the corner of Aug 10th's "Dublin Metamorphosis" talk @ CHG:
Luke Kelly, the rebel communist from Sheriff Street:
jelkkruk, Monday, 9. June 2008, 18:21
can someone remove this duncan idiot from the EASA blog? delete him and maybe all his posts?maybe we can do some EASA wide fundraising to get him in a more effective mental hospital.
marten, it is totally useless to try to communicate with him. many have tried, but this duncan does not understand this thing called reason. he does not have any intellect, he just copies texts from others and other places. and adds "get involved" or some empty phrase like that. he is like a cross-web copy machine. and that is why he is banned from any website but the EASA blog.
conor, Tuesday, 10. June 2008, 10:27
then maybe we can delete all yours aswell.... since all you seem to post about is duncan!jelkkruk, Tuesday, 10. June 2008, 13:51
seems like a perfect plan to me. please do it right now and keep the blog clean.conor, Tuesday, 10. June 2008, 16:57
You'd swear its like our little internet induced utopian community is being irreparably imbalanced by a carbon free touting pedalpushing criminal!!
emmet spiceland, Monday, 16. June 2008, 19:10
To be honest, I find Duncan's statements and general views on the world intense yet slightly refreshing. To be honest, I disagree with a lot of his musings and slightly aggressive approach but still, I feel that I've learned something from them. EASA is about exchanging ideas and Duncan is doing just that. Let him have his say, no matter how loud it may be.comment this story:
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Guys, when is more information about upcoming easa009 id due to be revealed?
Missed the last one, don't want to repeat...
by skunkie @ 2009/01/08 17:12
These are really horrible news...rest in peace
by skunkie @ 2009/01/08 17:07
rest in peace
by hanaa @ 2009/01/05 14:44
Rest in Peace! What a bad news for the begining of the year.
by tikog @ 2009/01/03 22:27
thank u Alper!
its a great tragedy... we hope she went to a better place.
macedonia morns
rest in peace
dijana, irina and ana
by dijana omeragic @ 2009/01/02 18:27
We have heard that we lost our dear friend by a fatal traffic accident in Poland on saturday. She was...
by alper_tr @ 2008/12/29 22:39
Wishing all of you merry X-mas And Happy new Year!!!
check this link:
www.dancingsantacard.com
hope u will have fun:))))))))))
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Now sees end of 2008, some of the people in real world with which exchanges have happened, not in order...
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Six Simple and Hard Questions About What Architects Do Today and Where Their Profession Might Go Tomorrow: And Your View...
by duncan @ 2008/12/23 15:09
Havn't written here for ages.
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in topic: YES 2009
dear all,
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Hey Hanaa.
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in topic: Competition
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Hi my european friends
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by ymi @ 2008/12/12 10:26
in topic: INCM008 Nicosia Cyprus
Dear all,
We need you help about the missing incm minutes. Situation is indicated below.
DAY ONE (complete)
introduction
quota
DAY TWO (complete)
general easa-issues
website
documents
fees
DAY...
by incm008 @ 2008/12/08 17:13
hey Jovan,
yeah give me an e-mail to ck.maloney at gmail dot com and we'll sort that out. I have a...
by chris - manchester @ 2008/12/04 23:50
I never knew it was like the Duke of Edinburgh!
To regain a bit of face I can add that the...
by chris - manchester @ 2008/12/04 23:48
Hey, I don't know where the presentations are...
But Arvids last known email is 'arvid[at]awoelfel.de'
Hope it helps!
Sam
by SaJaPa @ 2008/12/04 21:10
Congrats to the UK team!
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by jovan @ 2008/12/04 19:33
Just an additional note for grading of the medals:
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by jovan @ 2008/12/04 19:26
About two years ago (I guess) I posted a link to the presidents medal website. The president’s medal is the...
by chris - manchester @ 2008/12/03 22:29
Hi everyone! What's up?
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by nevenka_mkd @ 2008/12/03 20:55
Hi guys! Zdravo Hana :)
I noticed that in the archive, in 2006 the Macedonian SESAM we organized in Krusevo is...
by nevenka_mkd @ 2008/12/03 20:31
you're right, thnx for the tip
a little something offbeat
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by hanaa @ 2008/12/02 16:31