This summer has been intellectually stimulating as Pierre had the opportunity to present two papers at the conference of the European Association of Social Anthropologists (EASA) in Barcelona, Spain, and of the European Association for Urban History (EAUH) in Ostrava, Czech Republic.
His first paper, “Dakar in Block: Concrete Diversions,” followed the life of a concrete block in Dakar. This work examined how concrete can shape urban landscapes, lives, aspirations, and identities in cities like Dakar. The second paper, “Cementing Dakar’s Heritage: House Biographies,” took a broader view, questioning the intersection of house stories, heritage, and the temporalities of concrete.
Barcelona and Ostrava provided the perfect settings to think critically about the built environment and the ways we navigate it. Barcelona, with its rich architectural history and contemporary urban dynamics, was an inspiring place for reflecting on the role of materials like concrete in shaping cities. In Ostrava, a city marked by its industrial past, temporality and heritage are questioned fascinatingly.
Now, back in Vienna, with renewed energy for writing and teaching.
