Nodos

Workshop (21.09.2011)/ report
Team> Alejandro, Victor, John Mario, Camila, Miodrag
Main goal of the workshop was to define strong artistic position towards phenomena of Rio
Medellin being place of the biggest pride (Metro) and the worst shame (contaminated river
itself). Through intensive discussion we agree that our strategic proposal should respect reality
of the site, thinkingsimultaneously how artistic intervention could stimulate further processes of
the river transformation. Very important fact was our commitment to the idea of incorporating
into the plan existing spatial preconditions (for example: bamboo forest under the Metro),
social reality (homeless people accumulations), local practices (Ciclovia) and cultural institutions
(MAMM).
Analytical part
Based on ourexperiences gained at excursion (18.09.2011, Ciclovia) we conclude that most
interesting part for initial interventions (both spatially and socially) lays in between metro stations
Industriales and Caribe. This space is actually part where line A overpass the river, but in the same
time it is cut by the line B to two completely different spaces.
First part, from Guayaquil Bridge till Macarena, isspace marked by underused amphitheatres
and spaces used just during December festive. Spatially, this area offers couple of interesting
pockets around historical bridge, including columns built for the light spectacle that could serve as
interesting infrastructure and accumulation of sediments in front of Macarena.
We found two interesting spots for our interventions and spoke about how tocommunicate it>
1. Guayaquil Bridge with its surroundings- Oldest Bridge in Medellin has value just for the
older population. By organizing sort of Viechoteca and antique market, cross-generational
relation could be established. Salsa classes, buying nice chair from 1950, exhibition of old
bikes, old photos of Medellin re-printed on modern clothes…..workshops for kids and of
course waterfountain that works every Sunday…
2. La Playa Blanca (sediment accumulation across the Macarena)- This action has rather
parody character, questioning from one side river pollution (sunbath with gasmasks)
but also bringing attention of cyclists by inhabiting space not meant to be public at all.
Additionally, parking space in front of Macarena (and empty billboard over there), could
serve as spacefor urban games and sports based on bike.
Second part, from Macarena till station Caribe, has different spatial and social setting, which shift
our intervention towards more socially responsible.
Two spots that catch our attention>
1. Bamboo paradise (green hidden space in between metro line and river) - Space with
various potentials, initially seen as a lounge for the tired cyclist but alsointeresting for
urban gardening as a collective social project. Proximity to road brings old idea of doing
some structures with old car-tires in combination with bamboo. Bike parking made of
tires, benches out of tires and bamboo, plants inside tires etc. This place should be seen as
place to escape from exhausting city, place where music is sound of nature, place where
gardening is not workbut rather enjoyment.
2. Ex-Train Bridge (plus pedestrian bridge with holes) - The whole area is actually territory
of homeless people accompanied by daily escape of other clandestine people from the
Minorista market. Intervention sees whole area around bridge as a recuperation station,
offering to the people first aid, health check, and food program. Bridge has dual symbolic
meaning for ourintervention. Firstly, we would try to help those people to metaphorically
pass the bridge and reconnect to society they lost track with. Secondly, abandoned
bridge brings into discussion topic of urban memories, Medellin that is lost in the name of
dHeavveinlogp tmhaetn tin. mind, following steps are seen as a process from artistic intervention till
fully functioning public space.
a) Fixing...