Book presentation «A Beleza de Um Corpo Nu. Ensaio sobre as cidades»

With José António Bandeirinha

With participation by Désirée Pedro, José Reis and Nuno Grande

Type: Book launch

A Beleza de Um Corpo Nu. Ensaio sobre as cidades is a romantic manifesto on the ruins of the concept of the city and also an appeal for its reconstitution. Perhaps the city has never been spoken about as much as it is today and yet, throughout the millenary history of this concept, we may never have been so far from fully understanding it. It is therefore imperative to approach the city from an ontological point of view. However, when faced with something so concrete, it is necessary to consider how to reconnect with that materiality. Appearing to be a romantic manifesto about a lost cause, A Beleza de Um Corpo Nu assesses the ruins of the concept of the city and appeals to the concrete possibilities of its reconstitution. With this veiled purpose, the book moves through myths, ethics, death, architectures, legitimate and illegitimate suburban descents and, finally, the political thing as reason for being.

Désirée Pedro is an architect, co-founder of Atelier do Corvo, vice-director of the Círculo de Artes Plásticas de Coimbra (CAPC) and of Anozero – Bienal de Coimbra. She is a Guest Lecturer at the University of Coimbra (DARQ/UC).

José Reis is an economist, emeritus Full Professor at the University of Coimbra (FEUC) and researcher at the Centre for Social Studies (CES).

Nuno Grande is an architect, critic, curator and Associate Professor at the University of Coimbra (DARQ/UC).

Location: Mosteiro de Santa Clara-a-Nova