Academic Calendar
30.05.2022
Urban Studies Master’s Thesis Presentation and Defence
10:00-10:10 Introductions
10:10-11:10 (EEST)
Luisa Fernanda Ayla Torres
Precariousness in the Transformation of Labour: Through Working Class Identity in the city of Turin
Between the 1960s and 1980s, nine million Italians migrated from the agricultural regions of Italy to the productive areas of Turin, shaping the periphery of the city from a rural to an industrial area. The Post-War economic boom provided jobs in the northern plants, giving life to a workers’ hegemony and demographic, social, and cultural transformation. This socioeconomic transformation that affected the organisation of workers, labour, political activity, and society in general, was manifested in two cases. The Palace of Labour, an avant-garde building intended to celebrate the struggles of the working class with an exhibition focused on “man and his progress”, and the case of Mirafiori Sud, a working class neighbourhood symbolising the association of workers. In this way, this thesis explores the identity of the working class in the contemporary city of Turin, where security in neoliberal times no longer needs the scope of the protective techniques of the liberal social State, and as a consequence precarization is now the norm. This is reflected in the transformation of labour manifesting itsel through productive connection with others, where labour is not purely characterised by the increasing capitalization of social life but is effectively reflected with others, producing new social relations.
Examined by Alberto Vanolo (University of Turin) and Aro Velmet (University of Southern California)
11.15-12:15 (EEST)
Mira Samonig
the matter of right-wing populism in Polish LGBT-free zones; towards a with-standing xenourbanism?
Almost a third of Poland had been declared an ‘LGBT-free zone’ in 2020, stigmatizing the LGBTIQP+ community as a threat to Polish identity; this labeling remains a reality for many Polish towns. In this thesis, I am turning towards the concept of the ‘LGBT-free zones’ as a case to investigate the material reality of right-wing populism. I seek to develop a third position to a historical or new materialist understanding in order to investigate such material reality. By that, the ways values find physical expression and thus possibly mobilize oppressive attitudes into ever new futures ahead are traced. It becomes quite evident that the way structures of oppression are advanced and maintained within the public realm exists quite dominantly in everyday narratives. In a bottom-up manner, right-wing populism is advanced on the street; yet, it is by far not perceived by everyone. This marks the entry point for sketching out a possible approach to how the discipline of urbanism could position itself in social struggles. Drawing on Helen Hester’s Xenofeminism, the thesis introduces the concept of xenourbanism describing urbanism based on the conceptual notion of solidarity without sameness. I argue that the notion of xeno- as a prefix attached to urbanism focuses on an inherent transformational potential within the current, rendering a perceived unarming reality into a weapon of contestation and by that suggesting trajectories away from paralyzing no-alternative narratives.
Examined by Piotr Plucienniczak (Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts) and Helen Runting (Secretary)
12:25-13:35 (EEST)
Zahaan Khan
Tourism-Led Gentrification: The Case of Dal Lake in Kashmir
The dissertation explores tourism-led gentrification, its causes and the impact on the communities living in and around the ecologically-sensitive region of Dal Lake in Kashmir. The dissertation employs methodological triangulation using interviews, survey and policy document analysis, as methods. The policy document in question is the Srinagar Master Plan 2035 issued by the Srinagar Development Authority. Analysing the correlation between tourism and gentrification in a conflict-torn region and using displacement as a conceptual lens, the thesis maps the socio-cultural and economic aspects of touristification especially in relation to the everyday lives of the communities. The dissertation employs a two-pronged analytical approach by using two categories – land milieu and water milieu – to foreground the patterns and impact of gentrification in and around the lake. The analysis of the land milieu concerns itself with a detailed exploration into Boulevard, the long promenade along the lake’s periphery. It further discusses holiday rentals and issues of mobility and maps the city’s land-use patterns particularly in relation to expansion along the lake’s periphery. The study of the water milieu, on the other hand, is an exploration into the historical houseboats of Kashmir and the local hanji (or haenz) community; foregrounding the issues concerning policies of renovation and relocation of
houseboats. The dissertation also delves into the government’s land use and tourism-driven development plans around the lake, especially post abrogation of
Article 370 of the Indian constitution that gave ‘special status’ to the region.
Examined by Dr Mathew Varghese (Mahatma Gandhi University) and Karlis Ratnieks (EKA)
13:35-14:25 Lunch
14:25-15:25 (EEST)
Egemen Mercanlioglu
THE WORK OF A RIFT: Kanal İstanbul and Turkey’s Authoritarian Neoliberalism
Turkey under the leadership of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi was touted as a paragon of neoliberalism and a burgeoning democracy until the late-2000s. Two decades later, the positive portrayals of the country have decidedly shifted. Turkey is now considered to have retreated from neoliberalism; an emblematic case of authoritarian turn. However, this thesis rethinks authoritarian governance as the kernel of the Erdoğan-led AKP’s brand of neoliberalism. It does so by focusing on a to-be-built urban megaproject, Kanal İstanbul—a 45-kilometer long man-made waterway, aiming to locate İstanbul as a signature node in the global web of flooding money and commodities. Using the megaproject as a lens, the thesis shows how neoliberal reforms in the early-2000s have propelled İstanbul and the construction sector as financial growth generating engines of the country. Subsequently, these
reforms have buttressed contemporary coercive governance structure and a megaproject spree in the city. Finally, the thesis briefly explores a recent but growing counter-hegemonic contestation against Erdoğan and his Kanal İstanbul, posed by the mayor of İstanbul. The thesis does not give a final verdict but explores whether or not this challenge proposes an alternative to authoritarian neoliberalism.
Examined by Dr Cemal Burak Tansel (Newcastle University) and Mattias Malk (EKA)
15:30-16:30 (EEST)
Deniz Taskin
Architecture as a Practice of Care: Case Studies of Women’s Care-Based Architecture Practices
Care as a concept is becoming more crucial in architecture and urban practice as a result of
the COVID-19 pandemic’s unpredictable spatial, social, and political circumstances. The
attitude of urbanized capitalism towards contemporary urban problems and its refusal to
acknowledge the urgency of the climate crisis result in uncaring urban practices. The
important position of architecture as a measure for assessing our place in the ecosystem and
the role of architects and related disciplines in determining with whom we live together
requires them to reconsider the values and priorities that drive their practice.
This thesis unpacks care as a concept and ethical practice through a feminist lens by
focusing on the notion of “configuration of care,” which refers to how architects express their
ethical and political objectives by arranging human and nonhuman materials to achieve
caring relationships in urban spaces. (Suchman 2012). It does so by focusing on the practices
of women from the field of architecture and related disciplines whose contemporary practice
foregrounds care and employs feminist care ethics: Careful Mapping by Spolka, Performing
Architherapy by Erika Henriksson, Mutfak (Kitchen) by Merve Bedir, The Blind Alley by
Elin Strand Ruin. The thesis explores certain commonalities and recurring patterns of thought
in how the practitioners’ encounter and apply feminist care ethics. Finally, it discusses the
potential and limits of incorporating feminist care ethics into architecture practice, as well as
the potential for architectural practice to become care practice.
Examined by Agata Marzecova (EKA) and Henriette Steiner (University of Copenhagen)
Urban Studies Master’s Thesis Presentation and Defence
Monday 30 May, 2022
10:00-10:10 Introductions
10:10-11:10 (EEST)
Luisa Fernanda Ayla Torres
Precariousness in the Transformation of Labour: Through Working Class Identity in the city of Turin
Between the 1960s and 1980s, nine million Italians migrated from the agricultural regions of Italy to the productive areas of Turin, shaping the periphery of the city from a rural to an industrial area. The Post-War economic boom provided jobs in the northern plants, giving life to a workers’ hegemony and demographic, social, and cultural transformation. This socioeconomic transformation that affected the organisation of workers, labour, political activity, and society in general, was manifested in two cases. The Palace of Labour, an avant-garde building intended to celebrate the struggles of the working class with an exhibition focused on “man and his progress”, and the case of Mirafiori Sud, a working class neighbourhood symbolising the association of workers. In this way, this thesis explores the identity of the working class in the contemporary city of Turin, where security in neoliberal times no longer needs the scope of the protective techniques of the liberal social State, and as a consequence precarization is now the norm. This is reflected in the transformation of labour manifesting itsel through productive connection with others, where labour is not purely characterised by the increasing capitalization of social life but is effectively reflected with others, producing new social relations.
Examined by Alberto Vanolo (University of Turin) and Aro Velmet (University of Southern California)
11.15-12:15 (EEST)
Mira Samonig
the matter of right-wing populism in Polish LGBT-free zones; towards a with-standing xenourbanism?
Almost a third of Poland had been declared an ‘LGBT-free zone’ in 2020, stigmatizing the LGBTIQP+ community as a threat to Polish identity; this labeling remains a reality for many Polish towns. In this thesis, I am turning towards the concept of the ‘LGBT-free zones’ as a case to investigate the material reality of right-wing populism. I seek to develop a third position to a historical or new materialist understanding in order to investigate such material reality. By that, the ways values find physical expression and thus possibly mobilize oppressive attitudes into ever new futures ahead are traced. It becomes quite evident that the way structures of oppression are advanced and maintained within the public realm exists quite dominantly in everyday narratives. In a bottom-up manner, right-wing populism is advanced on the street; yet, it is by far not perceived by everyone. This marks the entry point for sketching out a possible approach to how the discipline of urbanism could position itself in social struggles. Drawing on Helen Hester’s Xenofeminism, the thesis introduces the concept of xenourbanism describing urbanism based on the conceptual notion of solidarity without sameness. I argue that the notion of xeno- as a prefix attached to urbanism focuses on an inherent transformational potential within the current, rendering a perceived unarming reality into a weapon of contestation and by that suggesting trajectories away from paralyzing no-alternative narratives.
Examined by Piotr Plucienniczak (Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts) and Helen Runting (Secretary)
12:25-13:35 (EEST)
Zahaan Khan
Tourism-Led Gentrification: The Case of Dal Lake in Kashmir
The dissertation explores tourism-led gentrification, its causes and the impact on the communities living in and around the ecologically-sensitive region of Dal Lake in Kashmir. The dissertation employs methodological triangulation using interviews, survey and policy document analysis, as methods. The policy document in question is the Srinagar Master Plan 2035 issued by the Srinagar Development Authority. Analysing the correlation between tourism and gentrification in a conflict-torn region and using displacement as a conceptual lens, the thesis maps the socio-cultural and economic aspects of touristification especially in relation to the everyday lives of the communities. The dissertation employs a two-pronged analytical approach by using two categories – land milieu and water milieu – to foreground the patterns and impact of gentrification in and around the lake. The analysis of the land milieu concerns itself with a detailed exploration into Boulevard, the long promenade along the lake’s periphery. It further discusses holiday rentals and issues of mobility and maps the city’s land-use patterns particularly in relation to expansion along the lake’s periphery. The study of the water milieu, on the other hand, is an exploration into the historical houseboats of Kashmir and the local hanji (or haenz) community; foregrounding the issues concerning policies of renovation and relocation of
houseboats. The dissertation also delves into the government’s land use and tourism-driven development plans around the lake, especially post abrogation of
Article 370 of the Indian constitution that gave ‘special status’ to the region.
Examined by Dr Mathew Varghese (Mahatma Gandhi University) and Karlis Ratnieks (EKA)
13:35-14:25 Lunch
14:25-15:25 (EEST)
Egemen Mercanlioglu
THE WORK OF A RIFT: Kanal İstanbul and Turkey’s Authoritarian Neoliberalism
Turkey under the leadership of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi was touted as a paragon of neoliberalism and a burgeoning democracy until the late-2000s. Two decades later, the positive portrayals of the country have decidedly shifted. Turkey is now considered to have retreated from neoliberalism; an emblematic case of authoritarian turn. However, this thesis rethinks authoritarian governance as the kernel of the Erdoğan-led AKP’s brand of neoliberalism. It does so by focusing on a to-be-built urban megaproject, Kanal İstanbul—a 45-kilometer long man-made waterway, aiming to locate İstanbul as a signature node in the global web of flooding money and commodities. Using the megaproject as a lens, the thesis shows how neoliberal reforms in the early-2000s have propelled İstanbul and the construction sector as financial growth generating engines of the country. Subsequently, these
reforms have buttressed contemporary coercive governance structure and a megaproject spree in the city. Finally, the thesis briefly explores a recent but growing counter-hegemonic contestation against Erdoğan and his Kanal İstanbul, posed by the mayor of İstanbul. The thesis does not give a final verdict but explores whether or not this challenge proposes an alternative to authoritarian neoliberalism.
Examined by Dr Cemal Burak Tansel (Newcastle University) and Mattias Malk (EKA)
15:30-16:30 (EEST)
Deniz Taskin
Architecture as a Practice of Care: Case Studies of Women’s Care-Based Architecture Practices
Care as a concept is becoming more crucial in architecture and urban practice as a result of
the COVID-19 pandemic’s unpredictable spatial, social, and political circumstances. The
attitude of urbanized capitalism towards contemporary urban problems and its refusal to
acknowledge the urgency of the climate crisis result in uncaring urban practices. The
important position of architecture as a measure for assessing our place in the ecosystem and
the role of architects and related disciplines in determining with whom we live together
requires them to reconsider the values and priorities that drive their practice.
This thesis unpacks care as a concept and ethical practice through a feminist lens by
focusing on the notion of “configuration of care,” which refers to how architects express their
ethical and political objectives by arranging human and nonhuman materials to achieve
caring relationships in urban spaces. (Suchman 2012). It does so by focusing on the practices
of women from the field of architecture and related disciplines whose contemporary practice
foregrounds care and employs feminist care ethics: Careful Mapping by Spolka, Performing
Architherapy by Erika Henriksson, Mutfak (Kitchen) by Merve Bedir, The Blind Alley by
Elin Strand Ruin. The thesis explores certain commonalities and recurring patterns of thought
in how the practitioners’ encounter and apply feminist care ethics. Finally, it discusses the
potential and limits of incorporating feminist care ethics into architecture practice, as well as
the potential for architectural practice to become care practice.
Examined by Agata Marzecova (EKA) and Henriette Steiner (University of Copenhagen)
21.06.2022
EKA Graduation Ceremonies 2022
This year’s Graduation Ceremonies will be held on June 21th in the EKA gallery and main hall (room A101, Põhja puiestee 7, Tallinn).
11am – graduates of Faculties of Design and Art Culture
3pm – graduates of Faculties of Architecture and Fine Art
NB! Dear graduate, please come to the EKA gallery 15 minutes earlier, so we can lead you to your place. Guests can sit in the hall or watch the ceremonies in the lobby on the screens or online on EKA TV.
EKA Graduation Ceremonies 2022
Tuesday 21 June, 2022
This year’s Graduation Ceremonies will be held on June 21th in the EKA gallery and main hall (room A101, Põhja puiestee 7, Tallinn).
11am – graduates of Faculties of Design and Art Culture
3pm – graduates of Faculties of Architecture and Fine Art
NB! Dear graduate, please come to the EKA gallery 15 minutes earlier, so we can lead you to your place. Guests can sit in the hall or watch the ceremonies in the lobby on the screens or online on EKA TV.
24.08.2020
Graduation Ceremonies 2020
The Graduation Ceremonies of this year will take place on August 24th in the EKA hall (room A101, Põhja puiestee 7, Tallinn).
12.00 o’clock – graduates of Faculty of Design
3 o’clock pm – graduates of Doctoral School and the faculties of Architecture, Art Culture and Fine Art
Dear graduates,
Seating is reserved for You in the hall, congratulators can watch the ceremony from the screens placed in the open areas of the 1st floor or through tv.artun.ee
Graduation Ceremonies 2020
Monday 24 August, 2020
The Graduation Ceremonies of this year will take place on August 24th in the EKA hall (room A101, Põhja puiestee 7, Tallinn).
12.00 o’clock – graduates of Faculty of Design
3 o’clock pm – graduates of Doctoral School and the faculties of Architecture, Art Culture and Fine Art
Dear graduates,
Seating is reserved for You in the hall, congratulators can watch the ceremony from the screens placed in the open areas of the 1st floor or through tv.artun.ee
10.11.2017
Croquis drawing class of the Faculty of Design on Fridays at 15:00
Külli Triin-Laanet’s drawing
Croquis drawing class of the Faculty of Design on Fridays at 15:00
Friday 10 November, 2017
Külli Triin-Laanet’s drawing
06.10.2017
croquis drawing class of Faculty of Design
You are welcome to croquis drawing class of Faculty of Design on Fridays at 15.00-17.15
Room number 245, Estonia pst 7
croquis drawing class of Faculty of Design
Friday 06 October, 2017
You are welcome to croquis drawing class of Faculty of Design on Fridays at 15.00-17.15
Room number 245, Estonia pst 7
29.09.2017
Croquis drawing class of Faculty of Design
You are welcome to croquis drawing class of Faculty of Design on Fridays at 15.00-17.15
Room number 245, Estonia pst 7
Croquis drawing class of Faculty of Design
Friday 29 September, 2017
You are welcome to croquis drawing class of Faculty of Design on Fridays at 15.00-17.15
Room number 245, Estonia pst 7
25.09.2017 — 29.09.2017
Project “Brilliant Estonian item”
“Brilliant Estonian item” is a collaboration project between product-, textile- and leather design specialisations in the faculty of design at Estonian Academy of Arts. The project focuses on searching elements and narratives to characterize Estonia to combine those into widely recognisable and thoughtful small objects – Estonian items.
The aim of this project is to gather inspiration from local cultural surrounding and assemble it into product prototypes with (applied) art value – outcome will be products, accessories, small installations etc. Articles which by telling a story about our past, present and future, are suitable gift for ourselves and to our foreign guests.
Read more about the projects: https://www.facebook.com/projektHeaEestiAsi/
It is possible to learn more about the products on XII Tallinn Design Festival, 25.09.–01.10. in Noblessneri Valukoda (Tööstuse 48)
Official opening of the exhibition is on Thursday 28.09. at 17.00-18.00. You are welcome!
Project “Brilliant Estonian Object” is supported by EV100 and it is part of EV100 official art program „Sada kunstimaastikku“
-> https://www.ev100.ee/et/ev100-kunstiprogramm-sada-kunstimaastikku
-> http://www.cca.ee/ev100.
Project “Brilliant Estonian item”
Monday 25 September, 2017 — Friday 29 September, 2017
“Brilliant Estonian item” is a collaboration project between product-, textile- and leather design specialisations in the faculty of design at Estonian Academy of Arts. The project focuses on searching elements and narratives to characterize Estonia to combine those into widely recognisable and thoughtful small objects – Estonian items.
The aim of this project is to gather inspiration from local cultural surrounding and assemble it into product prototypes with (applied) art value – outcome will be products, accessories, small installations etc. Articles which by telling a story about our past, present and future, are suitable gift for ourselves and to our foreign guests.
Read more about the projects: https://www.facebook.com/projektHeaEestiAsi/
It is possible to learn more about the products on XII Tallinn Design Festival, 25.09.–01.10. in Noblessneri Valukoda (Tööstuse 48)
Official opening of the exhibition is on Thursday 28.09. at 17.00-18.00. You are welcome!
Project “Brilliant Estonian Object” is supported by EV100 and it is part of EV100 official art program „Sada kunstimaastikku“
-> https://www.ev100.ee/et/ev100-kunstiprogramm-sada-kunstimaastikku
-> http://www.cca.ee/ev100.
25.09.2017 — 29.09.2017
Project “Brilliant Estonian Item” – students designed
“Brilliant Estonian item” is a collaboration project between product-, textile- and leather design specialisations in the faculty of design at Estonian Academy of Arts. The project focuses on searching elements and narratives to characterize Estonia to combine those into widely recognisable and thoughtful small objects – Estonian items.
The aim of this project is to gather inspiration from local cultural surrounding and assemble it into product prototypes with (applied) art value – outcome will be products, accessories, small installations etc. Articles which by telling a story about our past, present and future, are suitable gift for ourselves and to our foreign guests.
Read more about the projects: https://www.facebook.com/projektHeaEestiAsi/
It is possible to learn more about the products on XII Tallinn Design Festival, 25.09.–01.10. in Noblessneri Valukoda (Tööstuse 48)
Official opening of the exhibition is on Thursday 28.09. at 17.00-18.00. You are welcome!
Project “Brilliant Estonian Object” is supported by EV100 and it is part of EV100 official art program „Sada kunstimaastikku“
-> https://www.ev100.ee/et/ev100-kunstiprogramm-sada-kunstimaastikku
-> http://www.cca.ee/ev100.
Project “Brilliant Estonian Item” – students designed
Monday 25 September, 2017 — Friday 29 September, 2017
“Brilliant Estonian item” is a collaboration project between product-, textile- and leather design specialisations in the faculty of design at Estonian Academy of Arts. The project focuses on searching elements and narratives to characterize Estonia to combine those into widely recognisable and thoughtful small objects – Estonian items.
The aim of this project is to gather inspiration from local cultural surrounding and assemble it into product prototypes with (applied) art value – outcome will be products, accessories, small installations etc. Articles which by telling a story about our past, present and future, are suitable gift for ourselves and to our foreign guests.
Read more about the projects: https://www.facebook.com/projektHeaEestiAsi/
It is possible to learn more about the products on XII Tallinn Design Festival, 25.09.–01.10. in Noblessneri Valukoda (Tööstuse 48)
Official opening of the exhibition is on Thursday 28.09. at 17.00-18.00. You are welcome!
Project “Brilliant Estonian Object” is supported by EV100 and it is part of EV100 official art program „Sada kunstimaastikku“
-> https://www.ev100.ee/et/ev100-kunstiprogramm-sada-kunstimaastikku
-> http://www.cca.ee/ev100.
22.09.2017
Croquis drawing class of Faculty of Design
You are welcome to croquis drawing class of Faculty of Design on Fridays at 15.00-17.15
Room number 245, Estonia pst 7
Croquis drawing class of Faculty of Design
Friday 22 September, 2017
You are welcome to croquis drawing class of Faculty of Design on Fridays at 15.00-17.15
Room number 245, Estonia pst 7
15.09.2017
Croquis
You are welcome to croquis drawing class of Faculty of Design on Fridays at 15.00-17.15
Room number 245, Estonia pst 7
Croquis
Friday 15 September, 2017
You are welcome to croquis drawing class of Faculty of Design on Fridays at 15.00-17.15
Room number 245, Estonia pst 7