Contours of the Common

Located on the banks of the River Foyle, in a landscape of remarkable natural beauty, lies a city which is uniquely visible to itself. From most vantage points, especially within the historic city walls, you encounter its topography.

The city’s public spaces is the starting point for the exhibition, Contours of the Common, which radiates from our satellite space in the Craft Village. The project features artworks and events, shaping, shaped by, and critically reflecting on what makes a space or an object common or shared. Typically, commons are resources that are owned collectively or shared among communities, and can include everything from natural resources to computer programs. The artists invited to respond to the curatorial framework – Lara Almarcegui, Amy Balkin, Andrew Dodds, Andrea Geyer, Seamus Nolan, Sean Lynch, and Johan Tirén – thoughtfully reflect on how space is constructed and how it influences our actions and experiences.

The exhibition and events are tied together by a map you can download below which offers an alternative guide to the city. It calls attention to the permanent public artworks that form the daily experience of the place, and identifies a series of temporary pieces commissioned for Contours of the Common, allowing users experience the city and its art anew. In addition to highlighting permanent public artworks, the written histories on the map offer lenses through which you can understand the architecture and urban planning that form the city.

University of Ulster School of Architecture and Design’s narrative map of Derry~Londonderry at the CCA Satellite, and PLACE’s architectural history and frequent tours, deepen our understanding of the long and complex history of the city’s built environment. For more information on Contours of the Common, you can download and print out the map here. A printed map is also freely distributed throughout the city for the duration of the show. You can also download PLACE’s architectural history here.