The UDA appropriated the streets

Leaving classrooms to interact with the environment seemed very far away for the students a few years ago. But now it is a common practice among the educational institutions of the city.

The University of Azuay was not the exception within this trend, and, within the framework of the 'Sentidos Urbanos' congress, the Faculty of Design, Architecture and Art decided to question the exhibition of artistic expressions in the streets.

In the Stairways of the El Barranco sector, more than twenty students dressed an old tree with colorful ribbons, which gave the impression that it would be used for the traditional 'danza del tucumán'. But María Elisa Guillén, Professor of Design and Context of the UDA, explained that it was the macrame technique, used to create fabrics through decorative knots.

"As an analogy and practice, what we intend is to interlace the ribbons in the tree so that students somehow intertwine with the distant social environment to classrooms, through community and collective work," said the teacher.

A few steps down, Carlos Loja, a teacher at the School of Theater Arts, prepared the students for the presentation of 'La Mama Huaca', a play directed by Jaime Garrido and based on the legend of that sacred feminine being who took care of the mountains and the treasures of the people who hid them in the past.

According to Loja, educational institutions have the responsibility to use the public space, "abolishing the cloister in the classroom".

He also commented that the response of the public was positive during these practices that will continue until today.

Mayra Sánchez was one of the spectators who expressed her surprise at "an unusual demonstration from schools, colleges and universities, because before were other times." 

PHRASES

"The boys are much more collaborators, motivated and encouraged outside the classrooms".
María Elisa Guillén, Professor of Design at the UDA

"I've seen street artists, but seeing students and their art in the streets, it seems novel."
Mayra Sánchez, visiting citizen

There is a debate about the duty and the right of people to use space

In the 2014, as part of the activities that were carried out by the 30 years of the Faculty of Design of the University of Azuay, the third national meeting of 'Design Today' was developed.

During this activity, students and professionals debated, reflected and exchanged criteria on the use of public space, concluding that, although it is a right, it is also a duty to create various disciplines that question the role of architecture, the design and art, in front of this space. That is, how it is perceived and enjoyed through the senses, and, above all, how citizens relate to their city through these disciplines.

For a week, teachers, students and the general public gather at thematic tables, conferences and workshops to prepare projections and create plans for the future that will continue with these outdoor practices linked to the community.