This is an archive page for Santiago

Forthcoming dates for this school to be announced.

Santiago

Thursday 3 – Friday 11 January 2013

Located in the town of San Pedro de Atacama, the 2013 AA/MARQ Visiting School, Chile by Night, will return to the extreme climatic and geographical conditions of the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. But following two previous years that researched the desert's mining and then holiday industries, this third iteration of Deserta will turn to the relationship between science and this arid context by studying the demands imposed by astronomy upon the Atacama's towns, territory and landscape. Just as Chile's mining companies have long exploited this desolate environment in search of copper, gold and lithium, large multinational projects like ALMA and PARANAL are increasingly focussing their attention on this area for the unparalleled opportunities it presents to study the night sky – the darkest, clearest and driest in the world – and the unique advantages of enjoying perpetual cloudless days and nights together with its remove from any other polluting artificial light sources.

This astronomy, however, not only has ramifications for a better understanding of the universe, but also for the way this scientific appropriation of the desert has affected a terrestrial landscape, with the introduction of huge research clusters based around giant telescopes, to say nothing of the steady stream of astrophysicists who flock to these institutions from all over the world. Sold as one of the few still existing windows to the universe, this reconciliation between the desert and scientific occupation has transformed darkness into a resource. Prompted by this new nocturnal desert reality, the Chile by Night workshop will consider the role of darkness in cities and the exploration of dark design, while at the same time researching the environmental impact of astronomy on both the natural and cultural landscape of the Atacama. This research will combine design and theoretical enquiry while investigating a panoply of architectural, art historical, literary and cinematic images and references, all helping us to imagine scenarios for the possible futures of the Atacama desert.

 Organised in collaboration with the Atacama Desert Centre (CDA), the course will be taught by tutors from the AA and the Catholic University, Santiago. Guest astronomers will join the group in lectures and working seminars. The ten-day workshop is open to engaging students, recent graduates, young designers and architects as well as professionals from other related fields interested in exploring alternative forms of practice.

Applications

The deadline for applications is 30 November 2012. Application forms and additional information are available online at: www.aaschool.ac.uk/santiago and applications can be submitted to: visitingschool@aaschool.ac.uk. All participants travelling from abroad are responsible for securing any visa required for entry to Chile, and are advised to contact their home embassy early. After payment of fees, the AA School can provide a letter confirming participation in the workshop.

Fees