A HOUSE FOR DANTE ALIGHIERI

A HOUSE FOR DANTE ALIGHIERI

Is there a Paradise ?

Is there a Hell ?

We are not sure about the Paradise, but maybe Hell is not unknown to us.

Perhaps even Paradise should not have been unknown, but somehow it is easier to perceive Hell, it seems…

There are plans, now, to leave Earth… to go to there where there isn’t enough atmosphere and enough gravity. It seems human beings would do anything to avoid “the earthy shadows…” But aren’t these “shadows” within ourselves ? Even on Mars, we would carry them with us, within us.

This year there are 700 years since the death of Dante Alighieri, who was the victim of malaria.

We too are confronted now with death, and illness, because of Covid.

So is there, really, anything new in the world ? Yes, we have a powerful technology at our disposal, yet, somehow, even with this technology we cannot escape, it seems, “the earthy shadows.”

We invite you to submit works for a new international architectural competition with the theme: A HOUSE FOR DANTE ALIGHIERI.

Is human life a comedy ?

Is it a tragedy ?

Is it both ?

Perhaps both.

How would a House for Dante Alighieri look like ? Would it be on Earth ? Would it be on Mars ? Where would it be ?

How can we bridge these 700 years that separate us from Dante ?

Could we do it, through architecture ?

Envision such a bridge, through your proposal.

Envision A HOUSE THAT KNOWS.

Knows what ? – you might ask.

Knows that we are born to die. Knows that light without shadow cannot exist. Knows that “yes” infers a “no” as well. Knows that Paradise is maybe a fiction, maybe not. Knows that Hell is maybe a fiction, maybe not.

Descend, dear architect, descend.

In order to rise again ?

Perhaps…

Please send us your works by December 31^st, 2021. Please use format A0, maximum three sheets. Please register on our website by December 1^st, 2021. If you have any questions, please write to us.

WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO BOTH BERNARD TSCHUMI AND WOLF PRIX FOR ACCEPTING OUR INVITATION TO JUDGE THIS COMPETITION. WE FEEL HONORED BY IT.

Thank you.

ICARCH Gallery
www.icarch.us