Urbanism 09 16 – 20 September
Liverpool Biennial presents Urbanism 09: five days of exhibition, exploration, discussion and celebration along the Leeds-Liverpool Canal, including new commissions by international artists and architects invited to respond to the canal over the past year as well as presenting the exhibition of muf’s Feral Arcadia and the five shortlisted designs for Waterworks, a mobile hub for watersports and environmental education on the canal.
On 17 September 2009, visitors can examine real case studies of creating positive spaces in Propositions for the Happy City. Talk to the bees, talk to the sky, drink tea in the floating Tea House, paint in the floating studio, explore the Feral Arcadia museum, make chutney in the Squash vegetable garden, take a swan pedalo down the canal and make plans for the Happy City . . . with David Bade, Ben Parry, Kerry Morrison, Squash Nutrition, Raumlabor, Maciej Kurak, Danilo Capasso, Muf Architecture, Public Works and Rob Sweere. This event is free but must be booked in advance.
On 18 September 2009, in association with Places Matter! How to Design a Happy City explores alternative ways of planning and redesigning our cities and neighbourhoods, starting with the premise of not simply providing more houses but improving the quality of the spaces between them and the wellbeing of their inhabitants. Speakers include Pete Halsall, CEO of visionary developers, Bio-Regional Quintain, Joost Beunderman Research Associate at Demos, Ian McArthur Regional Director of Groundwork and Michael Palwyn of Exploration Architecture. Places can be booked for £25 per person (includes lunch and refreshments).
The week reaches a climax on Saturday 19 September 2009 in a water-borne parade including an upturned Black Cab, a floating Mint Teahouse and a whole variety of crafts created by artists and residents who live in the neighbourhoods along the canal; giving a whole new meaning to the traditional processional ‘float’.
Click here for more information and how to book for the events on 17 and 18 September.