Reflection 2/7

Alice
Feb 25, 2016
2 min read

At the start of my fifth year, it would have been impossible for me to anticipate the impact of EMUVE’s project. The first indication was on our trip to Barcelona in October 2015 when we visited Can Ricart and Poblenou for the first time.

On reflection, this primary visit sharply highlighted the reality of our project, the importance of its consideration in relation to the environment and the people who live there, and the multiple physical and non-physical palimpsests we needed to begin to peel back in order to have the sound understanding of the areas heritage, which would validate our projects.

Towards the end of this field trip we decided to approach our tutor with the vision to extend our next visit to a month. What we felt was the necessary time it would take for us to gather our primary research, interact with local people and immerse ourselves in the day to day of Poblenou. This transpired to be a fraction of our experience.

After convincing the required powers at the WSA our idea was justifiable, we embarked on our month long trip and instantly understood how unusual and amazing opportunity the project when we were greeted by Taula members Jordi and Gemma.

Beginning to peel back these layers of identity, conflict and history of the area, both Jordi and Gemma were relentless in their quest to provide us with information, guided tours, area nodes and contacts, without them, we would have come back with less.

Organising my work to clarify my narrative, they tirelessly helped me connect with people across the area, putting me in touch with colleagues and friends a like. Poblenou is a diverse and complex network in itself, with collaborations, collectives and cooperatives connecting creative, motivated residents to help generate a better environment for them and their families, I was surprised by the dedication and commitment so many locals had to the betterment of the area, and wished that this creativity and drive would be mirrored in the community I live in back home.

These networks extended through a series of presentations throughout our stay, for the Taula of Eix Pere IV and as exemption of our academic responsibilities. At both, there was a constructive mix of local residents, Taula members, Council members and academic and over the course of our stay, our feedback was completely varied, offering a multiple points of reflection for our work.

Now we are back in the UK, I am so grateful our visit was granted. The immersive nature of our research has led to us not resolving Can Ricart site to benefit our university project, but a need from the community, a narrative of heritage and a want to help the friends we have met their and respond directly to permeate the brief which we have each refined over our stay.