Urban Action 2010

Roadwork, construction, renovation, paving, roads closed for resurfacing… urban space is a constantly shifting entity. While the permanent "flexibility" of urban reality allows for dynamic evolution, it also lends a sense of uncertainty to everyday life. The 2010 Bat-Yam Biennale invites projects that examine the city's “flexible” nature in relation to both infrastructures and resources, offering innovative uses for spaces that are under construction, transforming them into functional, temporal urban spaces.

The Bat-Yam Biennale functions as a laboratory through which attitudes in and towards urban space are examined. Urban Action 2010 continues the urban action begun in the first biennale , in which Hosting was the theme.

The Biennale was initiated by Shlomi Lahiani, mayor of Bat-Yam and Dr. Martin Weyl, director of the Beracha Foundation.
 

Urban Action: Timing 2010 – the concept

Urban Action 2010 focuses on the tension between the temporary and the permanent, between the planned and the experienced. The Biennale examines the occasionally tense relationships between the city’s attempt to create order through long-term plans, and the everyday chaos that is the product of that process. Our goal is to encourage spaces and situations that function from within the state of a given temporality, drawing energy from this very flexibility.

The Biennale will examine whether it's possible to encourage urban situations that use temporality and change as their raw materials. The Biennale asks whether the state of temporality can become a statutory classification. Urban actions will strive to change patterns and attitudes, promoting partnership of the residents with the city. The Biennale also redefines relationships between residents, planners, stakeholders and the municipality.

Paying heed to local and global social, ecological, economic and statutory issues, Urban Action 2010 encourages projects that investigate and innovate the use of urban space.
 

Urban Action: Timing 2010 – the call

We invite anyone involved or interested in urbanism to propose interventions in the city of Bat-Yam. We are looking for innovative proposals that will lead to the development and improvement of urban life.

The method of intervention is at the discretion of the planner, and may be physical, community-based, documentary or written. The Biennale encourages interdisciplinary and inter-project cooperation. Accepted proposals will receive an initial, need-based research and planning fee of up to $2,000.
 

Urban Action: Timing 2010 – the intervention

Proposals will focus on the zones defined by the municipality’s current and future infrastructure-focused projects; these municipal projects are planned for implementation by 2010. These urban zones are documented in 360° panoramic photos attached to this open call. Interventions may address an entire zone or parts thereof, and may last for any period of time.

For more information on the Biennale and Bat-Yam visit: www.biennale-batyam.org
 

Urban Action: Timing 2010 – the tours

Guided tours will be held in the designated locations. Dates and times may be found on the Biennale website: www.biennale-batyam.org
Please request a tour date at: applications.batyam@gmail.com
 

Urban Action: Timing 2010 – submission

Proposals should include an abstract of the project concept (maximum one A4 page) and brief bios of each team member. Optional visual material may be included in either JPG or PDF format.

Please send all submissions to: applications.batyam@gmail.com

For FAQs please visit the main Biennale site.

The selection process will begin August 30th, 2009. Projects that require extra preparation time will be accepted by September 30th, 2009. Preference will be given to projects submitted by the first deadline.

First deadline for submissions: August 30th, 2009
Second deadline for submissions: September 30th, 2009
 

Biennale Curators: Yael Moria Klain and Sigal Barnir

Asst. Curators: Yael Caron and Adi Gura
Producer: Noa Taub, Bat-Yam Municipality
Photography: Assaf Evron