A BREATH OF FRESH AIR IN OBERZEIRING

Smoties – Creative works with small and remote places

Exhibition, Excursion, Days of Architecture

Exhibition opening and discussion:
2 May 2024, 7 pm at the HDA, Mariahilferstraße 2, 8020 Graz
Exhibition duration:
3 to 26 May 2024 | Tue-Fri, 10am–6pm, Sat-Sun 11am–5pm
Excursion to Oberzeiring: Sat, 4 May 2024, departure 9am | Registration at office@hda-graz.at

The exhibition shows the results of the four-year collaboration of "Human Cities" for the project "SMOTIES - Small and remote places". Ten small, remote European places affected by a strong rural exodus were selected for the project. The selection criterion was their special significance as guardians of material and immaterial culture, which would run the risk of being undervalued, unconsolidated or passed on if lost - in other words, of being lost forever. The aim is to enhance the remote areas through joint cultural and creative activities with the residents and to develop them into contemporary places worth living in.
The focus of the joint work is on the quality of life in public spaces. Participatory design is used as a tool to facilitate processes and innovations.

In Austria, teachers and students from the Institute of Design & Communication at FH JOANNEUM Graz worked together with the residents of Oberzeiring in Upper Styria on strategies to improve communication in public spaces. Oberzeiring is characterised above all by its history as the former largest silver mine in Styria. The commitment of some so-called "local heroes" and numerous associations that actively endeavour to strengthen the community was also convincing.

The most important square in the town, which has been deprived of its actual function as a meeting place for residents for several years, was renovated. In future, it will once again be reserved for pedestrians. Joint workshops were held to develop the transformation of the village square from a car park and a turning area for buses into a square with a variety of recreational qualities.

The exhibition also shows the projects from the nine other selected locations in Europe. It presents processes, tools and projects that were developed and implemented here by "Human Cities" between 2020-2024. The diversity of initiatives, players and their activities from different parts of the continent can be seen - from Austria, Estonia, France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia and the United Kingdom.

SMOTIES is a project co-financed by the European Commission as part of the CREATIVE EUROPE CULTURE PROGRAMME. The partner network comprises universities and research centres in the field of design and architecture, design centres and creative agencies in ten European cities. These institutions were selected for their special location, their cultural uniqueness, their development potential and their role in consolidating their specific areas.

BEST PRACTICE PUBLICATION

The publication "CREATIVE WORKS IN SMALL AND REMOTE PLACES: European Best Practices Exploration" analyses the co-creation of public space in populated, remote places in Europe. It presents the diversity of initiatives, actors and their activities from different parts of the continent - Austria, Estonia, France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia and the United Kingdom. They all have some characteristic features in common - they deal with the participatory improvement of public space, in which residents and local communities play an important role, while at the same time the actors from the creative sector are also fully involved. Particular attention will be paid to innovative approaches that succeed in bringing the diversity of stakeholders into greater co-operation to jointly achieve the ultimate goal, particularly through the improvement of public spaces - i.e. stronger communities, better local life, a better environment and ideally improved economic prospects for remote places.

OPENING
2 May 2024, 7 pm at the HDA, Mariahilferstraße 2, 8020 Graz

with:
Beate Engelhorn, House of Architecture
Anke Strittmatter, Institute of Design & Communication, FH JOANNEUM
Hannes Pfandl, Schaubergwerkmuseum Oberzeiring
Annalinda de Rosa, Design Department, Politecnico di Milano

Afterwards:
Presentation of Toolbox Polimi by Annalinda de Rosa
Presentation SMOTIES short film (10 minutes)

BUS EXCURSION - TRIP TO OBERZEIRING
Limited number of participants on the bus - registration required!
Registration at office@hda-graz.at

09.00am Travel by bus to the "Remote Place" Oberzeiring / Departure from Graz main station
11.00am Arrival in Oberzeiring
11.30am Guided tour of the "Mining Theme Trail" by the designer Erika Thümmel (in English). www.silbergruben.at/themenweg-bergbau/
01.00pm Snack on the market square. There are various offers from the clubs. The Oberzeiringen market square will be filled with temporary street furniture designed by FH JOANNEUM students as part of the SMOTIES project.
02.30pm Travelling Talk on the topic of mobility (in English). Location: In good weather on the market square, otherwise in a neighbouring empty building.
04.30pm Return journey to Graz
06.00pm Arrival at Graz main station

AN EVENT IN COOPERATION WITH THE FH JOANNEUM, GRAZ
AS PART OF THE ARCHITECTURE DAYS 2024