Castro Varela’s research addresses the material and discursive relations between activists’ film screenings and the so-called ‘right to the city’ in the neighborhood of Poble Sec, in Barcelona. Through the study of two groups constituted there after the 15-M movement (the Spanish equivalent of Occupy), he has been investigating such relationships for four years. Furthermore, Castro Varela has conducted several projects that utilize film and documentary as a method of inquiry and intervention in the changing urban landscape of Poble Sec. One of such projects, known as Fiction Workshop, carried out dialogical and visual interventions in order to discuss the memory of certain locations and to rethink neighbors’ uses of them.

As his time at FSU comes to a conclusion, Castro Varela will be presenting a research talk focusing on a project that involved creating an outdoor cinema space in an abandoned lot in the city. The talk will take place Wednesday, April 19th, from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm in the William Johnson Building Room 3003.

The following is a short description:

The right to the city as a filmic practice: The case of ‘El Solar de la Puri’ in Poble Sec, Barcelona.

How does an artistic method—the audiovisual screening—sustain the appropriation of urban time and spaces? According to what practice can films be related to the idea of an “ephemeral city”, which responds to “the perpetual ouvre of the inhabitants, themselves mobile and mobilized for an by this ouvre” (Lefebvre, 1996: 173)? This presentation is focused on the case of “El Solar de la Puri” in Barcelona, Spain, by thinking about the make-shift open-door cinema that was built there. This research is part of my doctoral research, based on an ethnographic inquiry carried out for five years, and is titled “Aesthetics of the Audiovisual Screening. Fiction, Assembly and Right to the City in the area of Poble Sec.”

 

This event is a special opportunity to hear about the dynamics and workings of PhD research, especially the transition from the field to the analysis and write-up. All those interested, including doctoral students, are highly encouraged to attend!