Modernism in Europe – Modernism in Gdynia

The second international conference on Modernism in Europe - Modernism in Gdynia

First Half of the 20th Century Architecture and Its Preservation

GDYNIA 24-26th September 2009

Organizer: Gdynia City Hall, Al. Marsz. Piłsudskiego 52/54, 81 382 Gdynia, Poland

Modernism in Europe, Modernism in Gdynia

Gdynia is a very special venue for a conference on Modern Architecture. Due to the historical ups and downs, Poland, restored to sovereignty after WWI, had only a tiny stretch of the Baltic coast, with no port. In 1921, following a decision of the Polish government, the construction of a deep-sea port began in Gdynia at the site of a small fishing harbour. The city rose at the same time - the 1920s and 1930s - no wonder its architecture and planning reflect European trends of the day. Prior to the outbreak of WWII, many outstanding modernist buildings were erected - not only tenements and settlements, but also public buildings and port facilities.
Gdynia today is a modern city with a population of a quarter-million and a major port in the Baltic. The city centre, designed and built in the 1920s and 1930s, is a major Modern Art monument in Poland. Modern Art concepts survived the turmoil of WWII, so many examples of valuable architecture were erected also after the war.

On 24-26 September 2009, the second international conference will be held in Gdynia on Modernism in Europe - Modernism in Gdynia. First Half of the 20th Century Architecture and Its Preservation. It will provide an opportunity for further exchange of ideas among academics studying Modern Architecture. Two subject areas are to be covered:
1. Trends and models in architecture and urban planning of the 1st half of the 20th century.
2. Modern Architecture protection - theory and practice

In 2007, Gdynia City Hall organised the first international conference "Modernism in Europe - Modernism in Gdynia. First Half of the 20th Century Architecture and Its Preservation." The conference was held under the honorary sponsorship of the minister of culture and Polish national heritage, and was co-organised by the Preservation Theory Section of Polish National Committee ICOMOS, and the Faculty of Architecture, Gdańsk University of Technology). Sponsorship was also provided by DOCOMOMO (Documentation and Conservation of Modern Movement). The conference was attended by researchers from eight countries, among them DOCOMOMO officials.

There will be no conference fee, however the participants will have to pay their travel expenses. The conference will be held in English and Polish, with simultaneous interpretation provided.
Conference proceedings will be published in a book format.

Dates to remember:

1 March
1 May
1 May
31 July
31 July
1 September
24-26 September
deadline for abstracts submission
invitation to full paper submission ends
registration starts
deadline for distribution of the final draft of the Conference programme
registration ends
deadline for full papers submission
the conference


Contact: Gdynia City Hall, Al. Marszalka Pilsudskiego 52/54, PL-81 382, Gdynia,
phone: + 48 / 58 66 88 343, fax: + 48 / 58 66 88 952;
e-mail: biuro_konserwatora_zabytkow@gdynia.pl;
e-mail: r.hirsch@gdynia.pl; a.baranowska@gdynia.pl

Information about the conference available at:
http://www.gdynia.pl/eng/culture/news/4892_52172.html
or
www.gdynia.pl/zabytki


Organizational Committee
Mr. Marek Stępa, PhD - Deputy Mayor of Gdynia, Gdynia, Poland
Mrs. Maria Jolanta Sołtysik, PhD - Faculty of Architecture, Gdańsk University of Technology, Poland
Mr. Robert Hirsch, PhD - Chief Heritage Preservation Officer, Gdynia, Poland

Preliminary programme
24 September Trends and models in architecture and urban planning of the 1st half of the 20th century
25 September Modern Architecture protection - theory and practice
26 September Conclusions of the Conference and a tour of Modern Architecture sites

 


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