**Exhibition The Idea of Álvaro Siza by Mark Durden and João Leal**

INTEGRATED PROGRAM TO 8th SOPHIA JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

INTEGRATED PROGRAM TO CONFERENCE: Exhibition The Idea of Álvaro Siza by Mark Durden and João Leal

The exhibition shows the photographic work developed around two of Siza´s paradigmatic buildings, which are the Carlos Ramos Pavilion and the Faculty of Architecture of Porto, resulting in the publication of the the first of the three volumes of the collection 'scopionewspaper journal The Idea of Álvaro Siza.

About The Idea of Álvaro Siza

The Idea of Álvaro Siza is a photographic project that has its origins in the work developed by Mark Durden and João Leal in response to Siza's architecture since 2017.

The project involving a selection of architectural buildings designed by Álvaro Siza has been supported from the outset by the research group Architecture, Arte and Image - CEAU | AAI – and has given rise to the editorial | graphic design project scopionewspaper journal The Idea of Álvaro Siza with the seal of scopio Editions, being also supported by the University of South Wales.

The Idea of Álvaro Siza understands architecture as both subject and artistic matter exploring a visual strategy that moves away from traditional mainstream architectural photography. It expands the comprehension of architecture, investigating photography’s ability as a unique form of expression, capable of creating a visual narrative that moves between the real and the poetic. The photography series of this project allow viewers to sense both the magical experience that Siza’s architectural spaces produce for us and how light and nature interplay within those spaces and how Siza’s spatial forms relate with the context, offering a deeper understanding of the architect’s oeuvre.

The project is now expanding to include works by other architects. In 2023, in addition to the publication “Ocean Swimming Pool”, two more will be launched focused on the work of Carlos Scarpa and Aldo Rossi, namely “Brion Memorial” and “Aldo Rossi: San Cataldo Cemetry”.

About the curatorial work of the Exhibition The Idea of Álvaro Siza in Pavilion Carlos Ramos

It was sought to explore a site-oriented approach to the exhibition The Idea of Álvaro Siza in the Pavilion Carlos Ramos taking advantage of the building´s unique architectural characteristics in terms of natural light, rich relations between interior and exterior spaces and the white boards of many walls ready to be pinned with students work.

The objective was to communicate and exhibit the work in a more alternative way, as well as related to the project concept itself, withstanding from common strategies and challenge the viewer's relationship to the work exhibited, exploring the “architectural promenade” concept and trying to break any sequential monotony and barriers between the work and the public.

DATE
15th and 16th of September 2023

PLACE

The Conference will be held in person and online at FAUP - Auditorium Fernando Távora - and the Exhibition will be at Carlos Ramos Pavilion - 19h00 | Pavilhão Carlos Ramos

Opening and visit to the Exhibition 'The Idea of Álvaro Siza'
Port Wine reception | Ocean Swimming Pool Launch - scopionewspaper journal collection