Ola Wasilkowska Warsaw, Poland Urban Trend: Shadow Architecture Shadow Architecture, 2013 4 min 47 sec Bio: Aleksandra Wasilkowska (olawasilkowska.com) is a Warsaw-based architect, researcher, and writer. She has collaborated on projects with scientists and curators to explore the potential of self-organization and cooperation in architecture, art, economy, and science. Wasilkowska has participated in exhibitions at the Centre for Contemporary Art, Warsaw (2012, 2011, 2009); National Gallery Zachęta, Warsaw (2010); and the Museum of Modern Art, Warsaw (2009). She has also published the books Shadow Architecture (Other Space Foundation, 2013) and Warsaw as Emergent Structure (Bęc Zmiana Foundation, 2009). Statement: The alternative economies that are invented at times of crisis, such as time banks, cashless exchange of goods and services, alternative currencies, or expansions of the informal economy will surely influence both the architecture and organization of the cities of tomorrow. The spontaneously developing shadow economy, also-called the gray economy, will become an important element of the global economy and the city landscape in the 21st century. The street markets and space occupied by street vendors very often create local informal centers and a real alternative at the times of crisis. Together with the advancement of the shadow economy, we can expect to see the development of architecture and infrastructure related to it. Street stalls, collapsible tables, and carts will have a more important role in our everyday life. Shadow Architecture (2013) describes objects that were created without the participation of any architect, as a side effect of the processes driven by the shadow economy. The concept of shadow architecture has been denied by urban planners and architects, although this kind of architecture has its regular users: petty traders and serious street vendors. The shadow archetype in Carl Jung's analytical psychology stands for an element that has been denied from the individual and collective consciousness. Shadow architecture is a kind of spatial structure which eludes central planning, just like street stalls. Shadow architecture refers to the range of informal approaches to using and misusing existing urban elements----collapsible tables, kiosks, plastic cloths, boxes, cases, tables, carts, and benches----that fill in niches in the market and gaps between the buildings. Sometimes they become a dominant tissue of the city. The grassroots, often illegal "bazaristan" can become a local informal city center. It is hard to find here two products that are identical and offered at the same price. Both the stall architecture and product prices continuously adapt to the changing reality.

Comments

1. excellent presentation and great idea!