Volver a no Saber: Poetry, Architecture and the Beginnings of Open City

Functioning as both a metaphorical space and a living, working community, Open City began in 1970. Conceived as a radical pedagogical experiment, the city was founded by the Argentinian poet, Godofrodo Iommi, the Chilean architect, Alfredo Cruz, and other members of the Valparaíso School. Drawing from our site visit and study, we begin with specific architectural details to discuss Open City’s ethos, key principles and practices, interspersing this with a story of its beginnings. Moving through the site, shifting modalities and vocal registers, we posit Open City as a community of teaching, research, making and, ultimately, a form of resistance