"He possessed a wonderful collection of tropical plants, fashioned by the hands of true artists, following Nature step by step... This admirable artistry had long enthralled him, but now he dreamt of collecting another kind of flora: tired of artificial flowers aping real ones, he wanted some natural flowers that would look like fakes." J. K. Huysman, Against Nature, 1882, (voce 'fake2': in, O.M.A. Rem Koolhaas and Bruce Mau, S, M, L, XL)

We're certain that <<[...] he power system favours this non-communication, and thus reduces science to consumerist technology, and art to marketing or solipsism, in the context of the other unprecedented phenomenon, human quantity. Once again the solution is mutation.>> (M. Sacripanti, città di frontiera, Roma, 1973); ; we're certain that today no univocal solution is truly possible; thus the main goal of this competition is to build a field of research, where remixes gain value as the 'motor' of creative procedures, conditio sine qua non for debates and confrontations, within which new spatial ideas come to express <<neither power nor submission to power rules>> (Gilles Clement, Manifesto del terzo paesaggio, 2004) and become possible manifestations of an operational mode that provides dignity to <<non productiveness>>, so as to obtain objects/architectures/landscapes that are true signs of a transitional crisis of meaning.

The intention is that of constituting an "in progress" archive of design/architecture/landscape propositions that are models for project/methodological explorations, capable of individuating new possible modalities for the de-structurizing of artistic production's codes and marketing mechanisms, depriving details, space, landscape and artefacts of its' usage value and authenticity criteria, inevitably dismissed in a continuous process of reversibility of meanings and usage formalities.

The competition's theme requires design/architecture/landscape proposals that are examples of mutation/dynamism/ubiquity/multi-functionality; interactive projects, diversified factors' containers, sign montages, representations of moving landscapes, solutions that may be re-interpreted by the individual who, having re-gained the creative process - uses/lives/explores them according to a self-regulating principle.

We welcome all object/architecture/landscape proposals that are capable of reacting in the face of continuous transformations of contemporary social needs and that, transcending all permanent and immobile characteristics, may be created and recreated according to the needs of inhabitants/users/consumers who become producers of different meanings within an aesthetic vision of an infra-ordinary universe.

Our goal is to realize a map where the coordinates are able to subvert the idea of a centre, where the user/consumer is to become the protagonist of an ideal, transitory, continually evolving scenario, populated by multiple centralities, a privileged location for differences.


Usage Instructions

The competition welcomes both ideas and complete projects regarding design/architecture/landscape

The projects must respond to the following characteristics:

- mutation
- mobility
- ubiquity
- dynamism
- eco-responsibility
- self-regulation
- feasibility

To be considered a valid entry, the final presentation must include:
- a motto/title;
- The Indication of the category it belongs to: design/architecture/landscape
- a brief description of the idea behind the project

In order to participate in the competition, designers/architects/landscape builders must send a graphic and/or photographic documentation accompanied by a brief written relation with no more than 4000 strokes, relative to the project proposals.

Indicate if they are students or professionals.

Professionals must be under 40 years old.

Participants wishing to present more than one proposal should send separate documents for each project, and distinguish the chosen context according to the categories design/architecture/landscape.

Project A: design
Project B: architecture
Project C: landscape

Projects may be uploaded on the website with a maximum size of 50Mb including all necessary information. The files must be in pdf, Jpeg or doc, or further formats to be agreed with the organizers if they include eventual videos or animations. PDF and Jpeg files must have a minimum resolution of 200 DPI.

For projects including larger files, please contact us to agree the modality of transmission (we will provide you with an ftp account to be used for uploading).

Projects realized by single individuals or by groups are admitted. Projects presented by a group should indicate the name of the group leader.

Proposals may be fully realized projects or even just ideas for a project.

The jury will not assign prizes or establish strict charts. Its activity will instead consist of a critical reading and review of all submitted projects that are considered meaningful, so as to spread ideas and involve the public in an interactive debate.

The reviews will be progressively published upon the site next to the relative work and will be open to discussion by the creators, the public and a scientific committee formed by architects/designers/landscape builders/ critics/ architecture historians and experts from the various sectors.

The most meaningful works will be inserted in a catalogue and exposed in a specific exhibition.

For any information or doubt regarding the modalities of this competition and on the terms for presenting your works, please contact us at the following e-mail spaces@romaeuropa.org and you will receive a prompt reply from the area's curators.

The works have to be sumbitted by registering to this website and loading the works using the "Upload Work" function. Submissions will be accpted up until October 15th 2009 (included).

>> REGISTER TO THE COMPETITION HERE <<