Visiting Tirana Architecture Triennale
‘Virtually Present, Physically Invisible’, the first-ever Tirana Architecture Triennale taking place from 2 to 12 March 2023, aims to create an open space for discussion on architectural thinking and practice. Organised by Barleti University, one of the members of the European project New Temporality, the festival also brings together all its members for an event in the Albanian capital, including the Lisbon Triennale, invited to give its contribution to the debate 'Virtual and/or Physical?'
Continuing the research launched by New Temporality on the emergence of new states of temporality, two roundtables debate the institutionalisation of virtuality versus the enhancement of physicality and the potential of presence powered by institutional collectiveness. The invited speakers of the first session are Hubert Trammer (New European Bauhaus); Miguel Santos (Lisbon Triennale); Anna Sala (Fundació Mies van der Rohe); Thomas Dumke (Hellerau); Etleva Dobjani (Barleti University). The second discussion joins Tinatin Gurgenidze-Schmitt (Tbilisi Architecture Biennale); Dijana Vucinic (APPS Institute); Christoph Thun-Hohenstein (Director General for International Cultural Relations, Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria); Anastasia Zhuravel (Kyiv Pavilion of Culture); Saimir Kristo (Tirana Triennale).
Three LINA fellows – Space Saloon, New South Collective and Filter Café Filtré Atelier – are also present to explore themes related to art, science, religion and neighbourhood. Through Barleti University, the Tirana Triennale bridges the gap with local communities, experts and institutions. Drawing on the accumulated experience of these three collectives in community participation processes, both in academia and professionally, this workshop embodies a reflection on Albania's rapid urban transformation over the past three decades.