Head of Organisation, Concept
Prof. Anna Bulanda-Pantalacci
Fachhochschule Trier // University of Applied Sciences Trier
Philosophy
The project »European Forum of Exchange«, the third of five in the series »Spaces of Remembrance«, is based on the idea of a »moving university«: a network of several European Art- and Design-
Schools, wherein academic and artistic projects are to be worked on - in interdisciplinary groups
in changing European settings.
Once a year, roundabout 60 students and 20 teachers meet in a European country for creative working
for twelve days. This means intensive interdisciplinar work and intercultural exchange.
The hosting country is getting explored concerning its cultural, geo-political, historical and linguistic
dimensions. Artists, craftsmen, scientists and politicians of the certain region, same as its infra
structure are intergrated in the project. In this manner, a academic project develops from a local to a
crossing-border cultural project, changing the setting every year.
Topics /// possible Approaches 
Artistic examination of the Namedy Castle, the city of Namedy, Andernach and Trier.
During their research the students will work on various key aspects of the different projects and look for
possible approaches to the key topic »European Forum of Exchange«.
Possible approaches
- Examination of the overlapping historical layers in the landscape, culture and architecture.
- What effect could the historical past of the different cities have on todayÕs situation?
- Examination of the (hydro-)geological, geomorphologic conditions from a spatial, artistic point of view.
The wooded hills, the narrow valley, the fluvial terraces, the river (Rhine), the Rheinaue wetlands etc. offer
topics of spatial and artistic examination and intervention. E.g.: »Namedyer Werth«, one of the islands of
the Rhine river, which is a natural reserve or the calcareous geyser, which was encountered in the beginning
of the 20th century and whose carbonated water was bottled and sold as »Namedyer Sprudel«
(»Namedy«s sparkling water«) for many decades.
In architectural terms
- Possible extensions of the castle to offer lodging for the guests of the cultural events of Namedy Castle.
- Research about the current use of the facilities of the Namedy Castle and discuss possibilities to integrate
new architectural spaces and layers into the current ensemble of the different time periods.
Teaching methods
Research
In the beginning the students will be given time to explore the cities: Namedy and the two oldest cities of
Germany, Andernach and Trier. The University of Applied Sciences is situated in Trier. The students will
be given lectures in history, art history, geology, geography and botany, as well as guided tours through
different places.
Fields of Study
Supervised by the teachers, the students will work on different creative projects. The students will be
working with classical techniques and in their own styles. In addition, workshops in sculpture and new
media will be offered, to find new ways of expression.
Work area
The students will be able to use the facilities of the Namedy Castle and the digital laboratory at the University
of Applied Sciences in Trier and a local TV-Studio.
Exhibition
At the end of the project there will be a public exhibition. For the exhibition, the palace garden as well as
the facilities of the castle can be used.
Final symposium
The project ends with the evaluation of the works during a symposium at Trier.
Documentation
The students will document their work process and the final exhibition of their works (written and illustrated
or photographed), which will be put together in a final book that will sum up the works, and progress
of the students.
Topics /// Methods
Focus
The city of Namedy, with its historical, scenic, architectural and cultural dimensions, is the ideal place for:
Experiencing the elements of space and getting to know its complexity and its natural and historical circumstances,
extracting and focusing on only relevant subjects, and transforming them into a new level of meaning.
- Developing the project of Cracow 2008 »Spaces of Remembrance Ð Intercultural Places«, and the future
projects in Metz 2010 and Dublin 2011.
- Studying outside of your own university.
- Experiencing different ways of working on a project, beyond the borders of your own nationality and
discipline.
- Working on specific projects will be the basic pedagogic strategy
- A chance for a final presentation to the public to find out if the project will be relevant to society and
marketable.
Goals
- Developing international boundaries and cooperation
- A wareness of historical and cultural processes
- Focusing on joint future creative working processes in each of our countries
- The lasting cooperation of young people working together in the fields of art and culture
- Building a sustainable network between the participating universities of design and the guests:
- Fachhochschule Trier // University of Applied Sciences Trier, Germany
- École Supérieure d´Art de Metz Métropole // Art Acamedy Metz, France
- Akademia Sztuk Pieknych, Kraków // Academy of Fine Arts, Cracow, Poland
- Akademia Sztuk Pieknych, Gdańsk // Academy of Fine Arts, Gdansk, Poland
- University College, Dublin, Ireland
- Academie de Beaux-Arts de Liège // Art Academy Liège, Belgium
Other languages