The Situationist International was particularly interested in this kind of built environment that somehow manages to escape, or has the potential to overcome, space domesticated by economic development in favour of social emancipation. They knew that it is actually within those contradictions where the potential for change dwells. However, the SI has always been misunderstood by artists in general, and architects specifically. Their critique of urbanism is a specific historical expression of a broader critique of capitalism, and we should understand it as such when thinking about our cities in general — as a way of constructing another city for another life, of materialising freedom.
Nothing less than that.
The ongoing crisis of Valparaíso (and we could also say the ongoing crisis of every major city in the world), not in an opportunistic but rather dialectical way, represents the starting point for consciousness. Consciousness of the landscape, the city, social life, time and space.
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It is a possibility for architecture and human community.
A place from which to start construction.
~
Rodrigo Barros
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