Departing from Venice

Republic of Common Ground September – November 2012 republic of commoN ground un-common News un-common Venice

founded in 1798

Departing from Venice At the 13th International Architec- be translated into the language of ture Exhibition in Venice, which the kiosk where this alternative view has ‘Common Ground’ as its theme, (un-common view) will be offered Günther Vogt’s exhibition piece ta- to passersby in Venice in the form kes Venice itself as the starting point. of newspapers, maps, postcards, etc.. It examines public space, understood As the smallest building in the city, as being the commons, caught in the the kiosk is open to the widest pos- conflict between resource and utili- sible section of the general public, zation. By interviewing the local re- and will thereby establish a dialogue sidents and tourists in various public between the city and Biennale, as ad- places all over Venice, the intention is mission is free to all - firmly rooted to present a subjective perception of in the common ground of the city. the local ‘resource’ and its regulato- page 2,3 ry framework in relation to everyday life. The results of the surveys will

LOCAL Background Content Piazza vs. An attempt Theme Background: Water International 2 un-Common Venice 10 water consumption 22,23 how does globalisation 3 public assets in Venice 11 The greatest flood work locally? Campi on water from the everyday protection of all time 24,25 77 Statements on tourism perspective of the users 12,13 Venice – an attempt to While St. Mark’s Square (literally the In his article Jan Pieper shows how make water habitable through art (Jan Pieper) 26 opinion & Debate Local only ‘square’ in Venice) has always the particular situation of Venice has 27 Playtime 4 campo St. Margherita 28 Panopticon been the culmination of political helped shape its architecture, urban 5 campo di Ghetto Nuovo Interviews 6 st. Mark’s Square power and state representation, the design and the life in it, how the invi- 7 ‘Because this is the

Campi (from the Italian word ‘cam- sible underground has conditioned place where most of Mapping Venice the people come’ po’, field) are meeting places for the the city we see. 8,9 Find your way through 19 1 kiosk for every 500 local cosmos of Venice. By juxta- pages 12, 13 Venice. inhabitants 20,21 how much time do posing three portraits, an attempt you need for venice? Special: Kiosk 14,15 un-common map is made to trace the specifics of pu- 16,17 kiosk inventory of Venice blic spaces in Venice from the local Special: Kiosk 18 From pleasure pavilion to everyday up to the global spectacle, small consumer temple as a representative selection: Campo From a small pleasure Santa Margherita, Campo di Ghetto pavilion to a shrine of Nuovo, St. Mark’s Sqaure. International Climate pages 4 – 6 consumerism How does Climatic forecast for Venice by the former Mayor Cacciari when asked whe- This Special section delves into the globalisation work ther Venice is sinking: “Who knows, Quote of the day story of the kiosk, and shows that it is some scientists say one thing, the others worth taking a closer look at this pie- locally? say something else. You cannot dictate “Everything that ce of small-scale architecture, which the sea.” page 11 one could say is an integral part of public space. As What is the plural of Venice? about Venice has the guardian of trivia, it has a multi- Against the backdrop of a global faceted history: From the little ple- reproductive machine that makes 35

30 Venice: yearly average been said and asure pavilion or fountain house to Venice appear as an inexhaustible Venice: moving average Trieste: moving average the present shrine to consumerism. resource, we look for any possible 25 printed.” An interview with the oldest kiosk transformation losses or gains in an 20 10 cm owner in Venice gave an unusual in- international comparison. 15 Goethe 10

sight into the inner life of the kiosk page 22 –25 Sea level (cm) 5

culture. 0

CHF 0.00 pages 16 – 19 -5 EUR 0.00 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 year Editorial Department and Publishing: Republic of Common Ground www.republic-of-common-ground.com

1 Republic of Common Ground THEME September – November 2012 un-common Venice

What do a turquoise-coloured kiosk with all sorts of curios, posters in the city with unusual statements and a cup of water have in common? You will not find any answers on the corner of Via Garibaldi and Riva dei Sette Martiri, instead you get a couple of questions in return and the renaissance of a public space that has been closed for a long time: An everyday kiosk that reveals an unfamiliar Ve- nice.

A small, turquoise-coloured kiosk on Get a cup of water for free in the city’s Common Ground at the kiosk on the corner of Via Garibaldi and Riva dei Sette Martiri. the corner of Via Garibaldi and Riva dei Sette Martiri has been attracting perception of the“ ressource of Veni- type of kiosk, of which there are only for a diversity of views and opinions the attention of passersby and visi- ce” and its regulatory framework in a few in Venice, is a formal reminder on the ‘un-common Venice’. All the tors at this year’s Architecture Bien- relation to everyday life. It dealt with of the Islamic roots of this kind of articles in the kiosk will be given to nale ever since the 25th of August. the question of how this place is small-scale architecture. There were the passersby on the condition that Maybe this is just because you can used, assimilated and mentally con- small street kiosks during the time of they participate in the survey, thus get a cup of drinking water there for ceived, how one gets about there and the Ottoman Empire from the early making them a part of the project. free?! It certainly brings many peo- orients oneself, and what its specific 16th century, which served as a public In the context of the Bien- ple in, away from the blazing August characteristics and qualities are. The fountain house, because under Isla- nial Exhibition at the Corderie there sun, for a welcome refreshment. understanding of Venice, respectively mic law, the supply of the urban po- is only the more abstract, empty shell The kiosk is part of a of the public space as the “commons”, pulation with safe drinking water of the kiosk from the Via Garibaldi, project by Günther Vogt adopted at the 13th International Architecture Exhibition in Venice, which devotes itself to the topic of “Common Ground”. Günther Vogt’s contribution takes the topic literally, whereby he sees the public space as common land (‘commons’) and has examined this accordingly with regard to the relationship between resources and utilization. Venice seems to be a suitable paradigm for this observation because of the clear separation of public and private space, and because of the tension between local and global use - against a backdrop of the critical question of a potential overu- se by mass tourism (see ‘Tragedy of the commons’). An attempt was made by Turkish pump room ‘sebil’ from the 16th century in The occupied kiosk in Venice, located at the intersec- Model for the kiosk in the Corderie. means of a pedestrian survey con- Istanbul (photo: Godfrey Goodwin) tion of Via Garibaldi and Riva dei Sette Martiri. ducted at various public places and the focus on the subjective per- was one of the duties of the ruling in which the copper surface reflects throughout the city with the help of spective of users - from local residents families and wealthy individuals. the posters mounted on the exhibi- students from the IUAV (University to the global day-trippers – should, There used to be a servant inside the tion walls. The installation in the of Venice) to identify a differentiated as it were, open up an unusual view fountain houses, who would serve Corderie is therefore the reflector of Venice (“uncommon Venice”) out free drinking water to the passer- and archive of the ‘real’ common stemming from an everyday percep- sby. As water is one of the most im- grounds in the city outside. We are looking for: tion and familiar events. portant public assets (commons), Without wanting to see A Kiosk Assistant An initial, low-profile oc- this tradition has been resumed. the kiosk as an allegory for public for our kiosk in Via Garibaldi / cupation of the urban space takes The kiosk also serves as a space or the city, it seems suitable to Riva dei Sette Martiri place from August to December with communication and presentation us as a strategy and common posters that address the residents and platform for the results of the pede- platform: As the guardian of trivia, it We are looking for a temporary As- sistant at our kiosk for the period tourists in all the languages of the strian surveys. The findings derived thrives on the juxtaposition of varie- of 29 August - 25 November 2012. countries participating in the Bien- from the surveys will be translated ty wherein every little thing has its You know what the kiosk stocks nale. The posters launch the public into the language of the kiosks, whe- own identity, but the quality is first and can provide information on each item. Polite manners are a debate with statements and questions re this unfamiliar side of Venice will created when it is combined in the prerequisite. on the subject of common ground. be sold in the form of newspapers, context of diversity in the smallest of Do you speak fluently 34 lan- A second occupation ta- postcards, maps, etc.. The inventory spaces. In an unruffled summation guages? Then we look forward to receiving your appliaction. kes place over the period of the of the kiosk will be supplemented by of necessities, the everyday and the Biennale with the running of an exi- contributions from students and specific, mediating between local Professor Vogt sting kiosk in Venice, located at the friends from the fields of architectu- and global, diverse, colourful and se- ONA J25, Neubrunnenstrasse 50 8050 Zürich Oerlikon corner of Via Giuseppe Garibaldi re, art and design, whereby the kiosk ductive. www.republic-of-common-ground.com and the Riva dei Sette Martiri. This will become the common platform

2 Republic of Common Ground THEME September – November 2012

Public assets in Venice from the “Commoning has always been everyday perspective of the users local.”

A brief digression on the method of investigation: Peter Linebaugh Interview - Mental Map - Instant Photography

Local people and tourists were tion of public space and the relevant public goods in Venice. Their re- interviewed in ten public places public resources for Venice (water sponses were collected and the write in Venice as part of the Bienna- and tourism). up can be found in this newspaper le contribution of the Case Stu- The use and appropria- under the heading ‘Opinion and de- dio VOGT. This survey followed tion of the specific public space was bate’. determined with the help of the in- At the Chair of ETH Zu- a method of investigation for terviews: the mental map that the rich, all the survey results were com- We need the study of urban open spaces participants drew up are very telling pared, analyzed and converted into developed during Vogt’s pro- about how the space is mentally en- specific and general theories, so as to to care fessorship at the ETH Zurich, visaged, respectively, how they get yield the characteristic statements which uses three survey instru- about and orient themselves. By invi- made about the respective public for our ments: Interview, mental map, ting the passersby to take shots with areas. and instant photography. a compact camera of the features of The examination results the area that were relevant to them, were translated into a graphical re- common we were able to determine the presentation as part of the prepara- Qualitative surveys were conducted subjective perception of the public tion of the newspaper and its aim is on site over several days and at diffe- space under consideration. to illustrate the varied and extensive ground. rent times of the day with the help of In addition to this, passer- feedback from the interviews and students from the IUAV (University sby were confronted with fictitious make it accessible to the reader on of Venice). The focus was on the use, headlines, which proclaimed a re- different levels. regulation and individual appropria- strictive limitation and regulation of

Overview of the survey si-

tes. Locals and tourists 2 were interviewed in ten different places overall. 8 6 1 campo S. Margherita 9 2 campo del Ghetto Nuovo 7 5 3 st. Mark’s Square 4 riva dei Sette Martiri 1 3

5 campo S. Maria Formosa 4 6 campo SS. Giovanni e Paolo 7 campo S. Polo 8 stazione S. Lucia 9 piazzale Roma 10 Giudecca 10

Interview questions

1 what are you doing here (in this place - not Venice)? Why here? 2 how often do you come to this place and for how long do you stay? 3 do you come here by yourself or in a group and are you meeting someone here? 4 what are the specific qualities of this place? 5 could you name a comparable place somewhere else and justify your comparison? 6 is there a group of users you would like to exclude from this place and, if so, why? 7 is there a behavioural code you can observe regarding yourself or the others? 8 please describe this place to a person who does not know it. 9 how do you judge the influence of tourism to the city of Venice? 10 please take 3 pictures of elements that are important to you at this place that represent your usage of this place.

Exemplary photo series Exemplary interview / Mental Map

3 Republic of Common Ground LOCAL September – November 2012

Campo Santa Margherita An Agora for young people - the local everyday life

The square in the sestiere of Dorsoduro is one of now used as the assembly hall by the nearby uni- while leaving enough space to all possible user Venice’s largest ‘campi’ and it stands out due to the versity. Otherwise the square is heavily influenced groups for their activities. The passing tourists have fact that there is nothing extraordinary about it. by student life. The many uses of the square, ranging integrated in the Venetian everyday life here almost Neither its history nor its design or the architecture from numerous bars, cafes, restaurants, various unnoticed, which is certainly not a common sight surrounding the square is exceptional. The epo- markets and also pharmacies and a bookstore, form for Venice. nymous church of Santa Margherita on the north the basis for a well-mixed community of users. The side of the square was closed by Napoleon and is bustling border livens up the relatively small square

Foto of a student / waitress, 36, female, Venice, Italy

Foto of a student / waitress, 36, female, Venice, Italy Foto of a student / waitress, 36, female, Venice, Italy

“It has everything: bars, “I’m here because it is the tobacconists, a pharmacy, most popular place for young supermarket – it’s like a small people in Venice.” village. Plus a library nearby.” Student, 21, female, Venice, Italy Student / waitress, 36, female, Venice, Italy

“The Campo (as the young people have come to call it without the need to specify St. Margherita) is a nice place in Venice. There are lots of bars where both tourists and students can enjoy a coffee or a drink or eat dinner side by side. There is also a place to The read, the children play here, the eldery can find peace and Interaction quiet or a good fish market.” between Student, 25, male, Venice, Italy Mental Map of a Student, 25, male, Venice, Italy people is a fundamental urban Mental Map of a waitress, 36, female, Venice, Italy quality.

4 Republic of Common Ground LOCAL September – November 2012

Il Campo di Ghetto Nuovo A courtyard of the local community - an isolated special case

The reason why the arsenal was also the ghetto can by Napoleon with the conquest of Venice in 1796, and residents. This use is diametrically opposed to perhaps be explained by its name, which probably it was not until 1818 that Jews were able to fully that of the tourists who visit this place because of comes from the Venetian word “geto” meaning integrate into Venetian society, when they were gi- its history, and some feel that the sound of children foundry, originally a technical-military device for ven the general rights to ownership, permission to playing is detrimental to the contemplative, almost the production of artillery. With the decree of 1516, study at the state universities and the opportunity sacred atmosphere of area. Here, the tourists are the Jewish population of Venice greatly increased to choose their profession freely. virtually condemned at sight, as the very specific after 1492 as they took flight from persecution in Even today, according to our theory uses of the square (synagogue, school, kosher re- Spain and Portugal and they ended up in great that we have gained from the interviews at the staurants) are at second glance very much geared numbers in the Ghetto. The exceptional situation Ghetto quarters, the Campo di Ghetto Nuovo co- towards, albeit not exclusively, the Jewish commu- as regards urban development on the outskirts of mes across as being very isolated in the way it nity. The daily life of local residents seems to easily the city was reinforced with perimeter walls and functions and greatly influenced by its Jewish override the historical, cultural and religious con- controlled access, which were only open from sun- community. The square is monitored on the one sideration of the place. rise to sunset. The Jewish population of Venice li- hand by the police stationed next to the Wailing ved in these cramped conditions, simultaneously Wall, and on the other hand, it is controlled by an under the protection of the Republic, but separa- informal network within the Jewish community ted from the remaining part of the city. Even thou- making the site a protected internal area and the- gh the isolated state of the Ghetto was abolished refore an ideal playground for the nearby school

Above: The negation of public space. The place as a reflection of its own history. Photos of a teacher, 54, male, Stuttgart, Germany Bottom: The control by the police and the community shape the behaviour. Playground and local reference point. Photos of a housewife, 21, female, Venice, Italy

Question Question A Is there a user group that you want to exclude Are there rules of conduct that you have observed and, if so, why? in yourself or in others? B what is the specific quality of this place? “Everything seems to run in an orderly fashion. A “What bothers me most are the children. They There is a daily rhythm and people respect each make such a noise and really destroy the sacred other.” atmosphere of the place.” Engineer, 50, male, London, England B “The Jewish style architecture and the Jewish tradition that one can still feel. I am amazed eve- The way the people behave towards each other is ry time I come. Incredibly beautiful.” extremely respectful. The bins are clean, there is Teacher, 54, male, Stuttgart, Germany nothing lying about. It is very pleasant to stay here without the constant noise of the tourists.” A “I come here every day and meet with the Banker, 44, female, Vienna, Austria other mothers in our area. We are then among ourselves and talk about the everyday things in “We are almost always among ourselves. The tou- life. What I like is the security of this place. We rists bother us just as little as they interest us.” can leave the children to play unattended without having to worry about them.” Employee, 25, male, Venice, Italy B “The place is very special. It differs from the rest of Venice. One could almost say it is an “Everything is controlled. The community looks Mental Map of a housewife, 34, female, Venice, Italy island for Jewish families with children after itself. So we support each other.” Housewife, 34, female, Venice, Italy Housewife, 21, female, Venice, Italy

5 Republic of Common Ground LOCAL September – November 2012

St. Mark’s Square The site for spectacles or a spectacular site? – a global state of emergency

The fact that St. Mark’s Square is a square of special rators on the piano nobile (the main floor) of the area becomes the auditorium? But perhaps this importance in Venice, is already evident without Libreria were replicated for the spectator boxes of reciprocal relationship between audience and sta- having even seen a picture of it or set foot in it. The the Venetian theater in the 16th cent. According to ge area has always been intrinsic to St. Mark’s Italian language already reveals its special nature: It Sebastiano Serlio the Piazzetta can be seen as ha- Square, as Giacomo Torelli’s stage set for the prolo- is the only square in Venice, which is called a ‘piaz- ving acted as a stage setting for noble deeds of the gue of the opera ‘Bellerofonte’ suggests. And za’. All the other squares are referred to as ‘campi’ Venetian patriciate and for ‘comic’ acts of ordinary perhaps one may also hope with Torelli, that de- (from the Italian ‘campo’: Field, Lat. campus: free, life. Mountebanks and charlatans set up platforms spite all prophecies of doom, Venice does not sink flat field), which refers to its historical origins as pa- on a daily basis from which they entertained the but instead rises out of the water, as in the prologue stures, farmland, gardens or cemeteries. public. of his opera, accompanied by Neptune’s words: In addition to its historical importance This theatrical tendency inherent in St. “Time will come, that against Nature / On my as a focal point of political power and official state Mark’s Square, shifting between representation unstable back / A stable government will raise buildings, St. Mark’s Square has also always been a and entertainment that moves closer to the people, majestic walls. / In this place you will find long place for shows. This affinity with the theater is evokes Ovid’s description of the theater as a place lost esteem. / Here your throne …(As Venice appe- particularly evident in the Piazzetta by the way the of seeing and being seen. St. Mark’s Square seems ars form the waves, Neptune continues:) Look square has been designed and its architecture. Ja- to still have these theatrical qualities today … but there, at what rises / Work of my power, beautiful copo Sansovino’s architectural language for the what happens when the theatre setting is staged image / Glorious and proud ….” Libreria di San Marco could have either originated for its own sake, if the audience stormed the stage Source: Eugene J. Johnson (2000): Jacopo Sansovino, Giacomo Torelli, and from theater’s architecture, which it in return has in order to admire the scenery up close, and there the Theatricality of the Piazzetta in Venice, in: Journal of the Society of also influenced; thus balconies used by the procu- is no more room for the play? What if the stage Architectural Historians, Vol. 59, No.4, pp. 436-453.

Giacomo Franco, Bull Chase in Giacomo Torelli, set for the Looking from the Piazzetta at the St Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. Looking out from the Piazzetta at the St Mark’s Basin. the Piazzetta on giovedì grasso, c. prologue of Bellerofonte (detail), 1610. (Source: Spencer Collection, 1642 (Source: Biblioteca Mar- The New York Public Library) ciana, Venice)

Ovid: ‘Spectatum veniunt, To look at … veniunt spectentur ut ipsae.’ to look out. … (They come to see, they come that they may be seen) - and what takes place on the square?

Questions A What are you doing in Venice and for A “I have been here since October to how long do you stay? study, but I do not know how long I will B please describe this place (St. Mark’s stay. I am here to observe not to look: to Square) to a person who does not know observe the marble splendor of the Basi- it. What are the specific qualities of this lica and understand the burden of histo- place? ry and tradition that emanates from this place.” A “Holiday 2 days for sightseeing” B The best way to experience this place B “Many buildings. Warm welcome“ is not to describe it, rather to live it. You Doctor, 30, female, Sidney, Australia have to touch, explore with curiosity. I had a chance to see the place at night A “For 2 days. I’m here with a cruise when it was half empty, lights out. Sud- group.” denly a burst of light touched on its gol- B “It is a beautiful very big square and den aspect and I was immediately filled there are many coffee bars, with wonder. It is a place that embraces but too expensive.” you in its great mystery.” Cruise Hostess, 30, female, Warsaw, Poland Student, 22, male, Siena, Italy Mental Map of two Unemployed, 25 / 23, male, Ronneby, Sweden 6 Republic of Common Ground interview September – November 2012

“Because this is the place The linguistic basis of Venice - where most of the people a nomenclature come” of the public space The distinction between the representative state square and the other Venetian squares is evident Interview with a street vendor in the naming. The parish and district courts have in St. Mark’s Square retained the old name “campi” to this day. Campo or Latin “campus” meaning a free, flat field as opposed to hilly or wooded terrain. Traditionally, only St. Mark’s Square is referred to as a “piazza” or “piazzetta”. This cannot just be fortuitous because in the Venetian dialect, the language defined the old functions and meanings of the different names for the path network extremely well: A small square is a “campiello”, the fortified riverside walk is called “fondamenta”, “riva” refers to a broad prome- Bildmaterial folgt nade. “Corte” is both the private courtyard as well as the courtyard for several houses, which is open to the public. “Calle” is an alley, “salizzada” denotes an early paved road. “Ramo” is a short street, mostly adead end, “ruga” means a relatively wide street, “rio terra” refers a road where originally a channel used to run. Interview by Emanuele Martinangeli Quoted from: Wichmann, Petra (1987): The Campi of Venice. Historical development study of the Venetian church and district courts. Munich: Scaneg Publishers, pp. 17 - 18. Int Were do you come from? Int Since you always work in St. Mark’s Square, do Ven Bangladesh. you think that some times of the day there Int Why are you guys all selling in the are more tourists than Italian local people or same place, and not spread around the other way round? the whole city? Ven In the daytime, especially in San Zaccaria, at Ven Because this is the place were most of about ten there are more Chinese, after about the people come. eleven there are a lot of European people, Int But in all Venice there are a lot of people, mostly not Italian people. Instead at the restau- We have so why here? rants there are mostly Italian people. Ven Most of the tourists come here and stay Int Do you try to avoid places where there are to talk here for a while. survelliance cameras? Int There is more concentration of people. Ven no we don’t care, we are very poor, and we need Ven Exactly. money. Int Do you always sell here or do you go Int Would you like to have a shop, or a kiosk? some other place some time? Ven Yes, I would like to have a shop, but it is Ven no always here, I never change. impossible for us, I would like to have a bigger Int You never move?! business. Here there is a lot of ‘corruption’, if we Ven Actually sometimes I go some other place. want to have documents, we have to pay a lot to Int Is there a rule on where you have to go? a shop owner to give us a contract number, that I mean rules between you and your friends? we give to the police to have documents, and Ven no. We don’t have rules then we have to pay money again. We would like Int So everyone can do what ever he wants? to have a possibility to do a legal thing. Ven Yes, the place you like you can go there. Int Why did you chose Venice? Int Do you all know each other? Ven Because it is very touristic. eau Ven I know almost everyone who does this Int How old are you? de business, but they are just friends. Ven 30 toilette Int Do you always sell the same things? Int Do you have your family in Bangladesh? Ven During the daytime we sell the plastic Ven Yes. objects, the ones you throw, and at night Int Do you like Bangladesh? the ‘flying’ objects Ven I came here only for money, most of Bangladesh Int How long is it that you are here in Italy? people are poor. This place is very good to make Ven About two years. money. Int And you always sold plastic things, I like Bangladesh because it is my mother land, nothing else? then I like this country for the money. Ven Yes we change if something is not interesting any more.

Int Do you work all year? eau de Ven no just sometimes. toilette Int For how long do you work? Ven Eight hours per day approximately. Int What time of the day you sell the most? Ven After ten in the morning and again the irresistible fragrance of the lagoon

after twelve. available at the kiosk of Via Garibaldi / Riva dei Sette Martiri and on the internet: Int Do you know who is buying the most? www.republic-of-common-ground.com Ven Italians buy most, we like when Italians buy.

7 Republic of Common Ground MAPPING VENICE September – November 2012

Baker, 45, female, Milano, Italy Studen, 21, male, Verona, Italy Student, 27, male, Dego, Italy

Pensioner, 70, male, Venice, Italy Student, 19, female, Pisa, Italy Architect, 26, female, Venice, Italy

Graphic artist, 22, male, Vennice, Italy Student, 15, male, Padova, Italy Financial analyst, Secretary at Church, 50, female, Chicago, USA

8 Republic of Common Ground FIND YOUR WAY THROUGH VENICE September – November 2012

Group of friends, 30, 35, 40, female, female, male, Studente, 24, male, London, Great Britain Student, 20, female, Venice, Italy St. Petersburg, Russia

Unemployed, 25, male, Venice, Italy Student, 18, female, Castello, Italy Ambassador, 60, male, USA

pharmacist, 56, female, Bannia, Italy Unemployed,56, female, Venezia, Italy Teacher, 29, male, Berlin, Germany

9 Republic of Common Ground BACKGROUND: WATER September – November 2012

Water Consumption The fountains of Venice

10 11 9 14 12

8 22

7 5 2 15

6 13 3

20 1 17 19 18 16 21 75 78 25 74 77 76 84 81 23 24 82 71 73 79 85 56 72 80 83 87 57 42 43 68 86 45 47 54 46 70 90 55 88 44

69 91 103 120 48 41 40 89 53 49 121 67 102 101 94 117 122

52 50 100 92 119 51 30 118 95 39 96 99 93 37 29 28 116 36 115 98 38 114 111 97 33

34 35

113 32 31

112 108 106 104 27 110 26

109 105 107

59 58 61

60 64 65 62

63 66

1 calle Priuli 27 piazzale Decorati Al Valore Civile 53 corte Del Ponzzo Roverso 79 corte Rota 105 rio Terrà Dei Saloni 2 calle Riello 28 Fondamenta Quintavalle 54 campo S. Maria Formosa 80 campo S. Giacomo Di Rialto 106 campiello Barbaro 3 campo S.Geremia 29 corte Bianco 55 calle De La Malvasia 81 campo Pescaria 107 campiello Spirito Santo 4 campiello De Le Beccarie 30 corte Colomba 56 calle De La Cavallerizza 82 campo Delle Beccarie 108 corte Dei Sabbioni 5 calle Delle Chioverette 31 seco Marina 57 campo S. Giustina De Barbaria 83 campo Rialto Novo 109 campo Agli Incurabili 6 campo S. Leonardo 32 calle Delle Furlane 58 campo S. Gerardo (Sacca Fisola) 84 sottoportego Della Scrimia 110 piscina S. Agnese 7 calle Cendon 33 rio Tarà Garibaldi 59 campiello De La Croce 85 campiello Delle Carampane 111 Fondamenta Toletta 8 campo Del gheto Novo 34 campiello Del Squero 60 chiesa Redentore 86 campo S. Polo 112 Zattera Al Ponte Lungo 9 calle S. Girolamo 35 calle Schiavona 61 ponte Longo 87 campo S. Agostin 113 campo Ognissanti 10 calle Riformati 36 corte Coltera 62 campo De La Sponsa 88 rio Terà Dei Tomboli 114 campiello Dell‘avogaria 11 campo S. Alvise 37 campo Della Tana 63 campiello Del Forno 89 campiello Scoazzera 115 calle Riosa 12 calle Delle Muneghe 38 campiello Della Malvasia 64 corte Ferrando 90 campiello Delle Chiovere 116 campiello San Lorenzo 13 corte Erizzo 39 Fondamenta Degli Arsenalotti 65 campo S. Cosmo 91 campo S. Rocco 117 Fondamenta Cereri 14 corte Cavallo 40 corte Dell‘ Anzolo 66 campiello Del Teatro In Saca 92 piazetta Leoncini 118 campo S. Margherita 15 campiello Trevisan 41 campo Do Pozzi 67 campiello Mosca 93 giardini Reali 119 campiello Degli Squillino 16 corte Dei Pali O Tesori 42 san Francesco Della Vigna 68 campazzo Dei Tolentini 94 rio Terrà De Le Colonne 120 corte Del Gallo 17 campo Delle Erbe 43 campo Santa Giustina 69 rio Terà Dei Pensieri 95 ramo Secondo Corte Contarina 121 corte Del Basagnò 18 ruga Do Pozzi 44 corte Nova 70 capasso Dei Tre Ponti 96 piscina S. Moisè 122 calle Larga Foscari 19 rio Terà Barba Frutariol 45 corte De La Borsa 71 calle Dei Bergamaschi 97 campo Santa Maria Del Giglio 20 campo Dei Gesuiti 46 ramo Della Vida 72 campiello Del Cristo 98 corte Della Vida 21 corte Contarina 47 campo S. Ternità 73 campiello Delle Stropa 99 corte Moretta 22 corte Tintoretta 48 campo De Le Gate 74 ramo VI Gallion 100 corte Lezzo 23 campo Bruno Crovato 49 campiello De La Fraterna 75 corte Della Cazza 101 corte Dell‘albero 24 campiello S. Maria Nova 50 salizada Del Pignater 76 campiello Del Pivan 102 campo S. Benetto Source: 100% pubblica, a project by Lorenza 25 corte Del Paludo 51 campiello Drio La Pietà 77 campo S. Giacomo Dell‘ Orio 103 sottoportego Delle Acque Cossutta, Giulia Gabrielli, Isabella San- 26 Viale XXIV Maggio (S.Elena) 52 campo S. Zaccaria 78 campiello Del Spezier 104 rio Terra Dei Catecumeni nipoli, www.100x100pubblica.blogspot.com.

Water - Facts & Figures

An Italian consumes 213 liters of therapeutic powers because of its drinking water per day and only 3 of particular physical and chemical them are used for drinking. They use characteristics. Mineral water can more than 30% for flushing, 30% for cost a thousand times more than tap dishwashers and washing machines, water. The plastic bottles pollute our 30% for baths and showers. The Swiss planet. The bottled water business consume 159 liters per day and the has ultimately influenced the habits Swedes are content with 119. Italy has of people leading to this irrational the highest annual consumption rate consumption. The mineral water of household water per capita in the market profits from the distribution EU. Despite all this, one third of Ita- of a public asset, which is also a fun- lians do not have enough water or damental resource that is increasin- cannot access it regularly. Italians are gly harder to come by. Water pollu- UELLE folgt noch the biggest consumers of bottled tion is a current problem caused by Q water in the world. 50% only drink the poor management of con- BILD bottled mineral water. 40% also drink sumption. tap water. They mistakenly believe that bottled water is more pure and Quoted from: 100% pubblica, a project by Lor- enza Cossutta, Giulia Gabrielli, Isabella Sannipoli, safer than public water. Mineral wa- www.100x100pubblica.blogspot.com. ter is often thought to have alleged

10 Republic of Common Ground BACKGROUND: WATER September – November 2012

The greatest flood protection of all time

The water rises, the lagoon floor In fact, it should have been comple- sinks. Today Venice is (the infor- Water ≠ Water ted long ago, but now it is hoped mation varies) 23 to 30 centime- that it will be up and running in ters deeper in the water than a 2014. But if the experiment, with an hundred years ago … and it is estimated construction cost of five to seven billion euros, will prove effecti- still sinking. ve in practice, has yet to be seen and

Niederschlag: weltweite Verteilung it is a highly controversial topic “The stronger and more frequent among the experts. floods are not only harbingers of Some people do not be- doom,” warns an Venice expert, Nor- lieve that it will do anything at all. bert Huse, “but they already a part of Others, such as the U.S. scientists Al- it.” The probability of flooding has bert Ammermann and Charles Mc- increased tenfold during the 20th Clennen, fear that it will work too Century. well: When the water level in the la- According to a study by goon rises by a further 30 centime- the Institute of Marine Sciences from ters, their trials show that up to 150 2009, Venice will have sunk from 17 days of high water could be expected to 53 centimeters in the 21st century between October and late January. (depending on the ‘best case’ or The defense would be closed almost ‘worst case’ scenario) and the rate of every day. The ecological consequen- flooding will have accelerated, too. in mm/Jahr 500 ces could be devastating. Venice still 0 750 U.S. researcher, Vivien Gornitz, a 50 1000 does not have a satisfactory sewage member of the IPCC, believes that 250 2000 treatment system; large quantities of even these estimates are too cautious, sewage, rubbish and industrial waste she fears that the city will sink at an flow into the lagoon every day. They even more accelerated rate. Despite usually move into the sea with the the great flood on the 4th of Novem- tide. Mose would prevent their exit. ber 1966, when the water rose 1.94 Grundwasser: weltweite Verteilung Is Venice really going to meters above normal and caused sink? “Who knows,” says former Ma- great damage to shops, restaurants yor, Cacciari. “Some scientists say and craft businesses, it took three Bildmaterial folgt one thing, the others say something decades before the Venetians suffered else. You cannot dictate the sea.” serious consequences. Then suddenly the alarm the bells went off, commit- tees were formed and rescue plans Source for Text: SPIEGEL-History (Issue 3/2012): Venice. From a naval power to a place of longing. were discussed. Some experts have suggested to redivert the flows that Source for Figures: Lars Müller et al.(Hrsg)(2006): Who Owns the Water? Baden: Lars Müller Publishers. were blocked out of the lagoon some 300 years earlier back into the Vene- tian inland sea. But this would also bring gravel, stones and sand with it.

It was neither technically nor politi- Riesige und ergiebige Grundwasservorkommen Wichtige Grundwasservorkommen cally feasible. The search shifted to Unergiebige Grundwasservorkommen Eis technical projects to try to tame the Grosse Seen power of the sea. Finally, in 2001, the Italian Government decided on the greatest and probably the most expensive anti-flood projects of all Wasserknappheit: Vorhersage für das Jahr 2025 time. It is called ‘Mose’ - an acronym for “Modulo Sperimentale Elettro- meccanico”, which translates as Expe- rimental Electromechanical Module. Basically it involves pla- cing 78 steel boxes - each up to 5 meters thick, 20 meters wide and up to 30 meters high - close to one another at the bottom of the lagoon entrances and anchoring them in concrete foundations. If there is a risk of flooding, air is pumped into the steel boxes, which now rise and form a S. Chiosco - flood wall. Only on relatively small Wenig oder keine Wasserknappheit Water of the Ökonomische Wasserknappheit flood, maximum 1.10 meters above Physikalische Wasserknappheit Daten nicht vorhanden Common Ground normal, may still come through. Ho- wever, a part of the city is already under water. Around 1,500 people are Venice goes down. working on this enormous project.

11 Republic of Common Ground BACKGROUND: WATER September – November 2012

An attempt at making water inhabitable by means of art

In the following article, Jan Pie- foundation walls are then built using the rising masonry at regular inter- parent especially in the façade layout. per shows how Venice’s special Istrian stone until the level of the vals to spread the unequal loads in The characteristic shift of axes in a situation has helped to shape ground floor, some feet above the the building again and again. Larger typical Venetian façade is thus ulti- its architecture, urban form highest water level, is reached. It is buildings, especially those with wide mately the result of the extreme and life within the city, how then possible to build on these and high interior rooms, such as shortage of space in the artificial bu- foundations. In the case of simple churches and palaces, were secured ilding ground in the lagoon. This si- the invisible underground has houses, only the foundation strips of additionally by a system of anchor tuation leads to a further typical fea- shaped the visible city. the rising walls are secured in this timbers spans which withstood un- ture of the Venetian house. There manner and the base area lying in foreseen strains in every direction, were large gardens only in the Prof. Jan Pieper, Institute of between is filled up with a hard core and were able to absorb tensile and grounds of the villas in the Giudecca Architecture and Urban History, of rubble stone. However, larger buil- pressure forces. It has been said, with which are still to be seen in Jacopo Technical University of Berlin dings have their foundations con- justification, that Venice’s houses are De’Barbari’s engraving from 1500. structed extensively in the way de- in fact built like ships which only Such a garden “nel bel mezzo del scribed, with the foundation piles appear to stand on firm ground with mare” was an incredible luxury, but their pillars and marble walls, where- even small house gardens could The lagoon in which Venice was con- as in fact they rock to and fro on the hardly be provided in the restricted structed - in the initially unfavoura- trembling bottom of the lagoon. space available in the Venetian laby- ble location which later turned out The interior plan of the rinth. The majority of Venetian hou- to be the opposite - does have one houses of this “beavers’ republic” is ses, even the larger ones, do not have natural property which made it at all fundamentally different from the any gardens. possible that such a large and power- house typology of the mainland. The In order to remedy this ful city could be built here. Only a Venetian house (casa fontego) is ac- shortcoming, the broad terrace or part of Venice’s houses, namely, stand cessible as a matter of principle from loggia on the roof known as the alta- on former islands, whereas the majo- two sides - it has one entrance on the na was invented in Venice. Above the rity are built directly in the water. The water side and one on the land side. roofs, the cladding of which was not fact that this was possible even with This means that the ground floor has interfered with, brick pillars were the simple technical means available a central hall (portego) extending constructed on the coping of the at the period when Venice began to the full depth of the house and lin- outside walls. On top of these a light be founded in the ninth century is king the two entrances together. On timber construction was erected at a linked with the geological structure either side of the hall there are small lofty height. These wooden roof of the bottom of the lagoon. In lar- rooms which are for the most part structures, which were for the most ge parts of the lagoon, especially in damp and therefore only serve se- part supplemented by a scaffold-like the vicinity of the islands around the condary purposes. Diagonally to this, construction to span a canvas awning, “High Shore” (Rivus Altus or Ri’Alto) in about the middle, opens the stai- were called, for obvious reasons, after where the first settlements were esta- rcase with the main stairway. From the cool wind which blows in from blished as early as the seventh centu- the landing one came into the mez- the sea: the altanus. ry, the water depth is very small. It is zanine (mesa) in which the house’s The altane are a characte- just enough to allow boats with an offices or business rooms are accom- ristic part of the scene in Venice. As a extremely shallow draught to pass. modated. Above this, on the first flo- rule, potted plants, agaves and laurel The bottom ofthe lagoon is covered or, is the Piano Nobile in which the trees are placed there, frequently so initially by a layer of mud. beneath room above the ground floor hall densely together and luxuriant that which there is a roughly metre-thick formed the central salon, while fa- one could believe that one can see a layer of alluvial deposits made up of mily’s living rooms lie to the left and landscape of hanging gardens above the materials which the rivers tran- right. The second floor is only half as one. Just like the individual houses, sported into the lagoon. Beneath high as the first: the factotums and the city is also doubly accessible. The this insecure layer one then finds the vavasours in the padrone’s busi- system of canals is supplemented by good bearing foundation soil, called ness association lived here. a second, equally dense network of “caranto” in Venetian dialect. This is The main entrance of the streets and lanes which for their part formed of a several metres thick, very Diagram of the Venetian pile foundations. house lies almost always on the canal are linked together by numerous compact mixture of sand and clay. At side and the water frontage is also bridges. In part the lanes run inside a greater depth then come insecure la- distinguished architecturally by an the houses as arcades (sottoporteghi) yers once again which are elastic and driven-in in a spiral from the outside extravagant façade. The entrance or lead as paved streets along the ca- not stable in volume, like peat deposits inwards until the whole building onto the street generally has a walled nals (fondamente) on the water side and large lenses of natural gas. area is lined with them. courtyard in front of it in which the of buildings. In these cases they serve Venice stands on larch Despite these large-scale cistern for the house’s water supply is as quays for mooring barges. and oak piles which have been dri- foundation measures, the stability of located. From there it is also possible The berths for the gondo- ven into the relatively stable bearing the structures was still not yet safe- to reach the Piano Nobile directly up las, without which Venice would not layer of sand and clay. The same guarded. The pockets of gas and peat an outside staircase. The courtyard is be usable, are especially artistically technique has been used for this for in the lower strata of the bottom of the only open space at ground level designed. On account of the varying centuries. Behind pile planking the lagoon, the location of which in a Casa Fontego and is therefore water levels in the canals, it was ne- made of round timbers, the piles are could not, of course, be determined made as large as the cramped space cessary to provide them with stai- rammed into the ground using a and thus avoided before the begin- conditions allow. As a result, the en- rways so that it would be possible to wooden pile-driver operated by two ning of construction, were often trance hall is shifted away from the board a boat comfortably at any wa- workers until just their tips protrude compressed by the load of the buil- building’s central axis. It is moved so ter level. out of the unreliable alluvial layer. A dings. The unforeseen and very irre- far to the side as to leave just enough The mooring places are grid made of two layers of larch tim- gular settling caused by this meant a room for a proper staircase. This le- called “rive” and the variety of forms bers laid crosswise to one another is serious risk for buildings. Therefore ads to the unique asymmetry of the in the architectural design of these laid on top of them on which the horizontal battens were inserted in Venetian house which becomes ap- points of transfer from land to water

12 Republic of Common Ground BACKGROUND: WATER September – November 2012

form a genre of their own in Vene- tian monumental sculpture. They are sometimes carved from capitals dating from classical times brought from Greece specially for the purpo- se, often also from Byzantine spoils, but at all events they are particularly carefully and artistically worked in view of their importance for the sur- vival of the city. The characteristic orna- mentation of the paving of the square Sectional sketch showing the functioning of a and the rich furbishing of the squares Venetian cistern: 1 Well column with drinking water. with monumental wells is thus not 2 Ram water inlet. 3 Clay packing which seals the the result of any indiscriminate plea- filter and cistern against the brakish water of the lagoon, 4 Filter sand, 5 Alluvial bottom of the lagoon, District square with cistern beneath for the supply of drinking water. sure in decoration, but the conscious 6 Rain. 7 Filtered water. artistic emphasis of a need which the city’s location in the midst of water is extraordinary. Just as if the master squares. These were sealed against has forced on it. builders of these pieces of small ur- the brackish lagoon water of the un- ban architecture, in which Venice’s derground by means of a thick, im- double routes of access is made tan- pervious layer of clay on all sides and Article reprinted with authorization by Jan Pieper. First published in: Anthos: Zeitschrift für Landschaft- gible in one single type of building, then filled with sand. At the centre, a sarchitektur, Bd. 31, 1992. had intended them to give expression perforated well shaft was built of to the semiaquatic, semi-terristic na- bricks, extending from the clay base ture of this city in an easily understo- up to ground level and crowned with od manner. an artistic parapet. The surface of the Venice’s location in the square was paved and the gradient middle of the lagoon brought enor- made in such a manner that the wa- mous problems for the drinking water precipitating on the square and ter supply. The lagoon water itself is the adjoining streets collected at four brackish and salty and in the porous points. Soakaways are provided at bottom of the lagoon it was impossi- these points through which the rain ble to dig wells which would have water is led into the filter bed. The supplied usable drinking water. Thus water then spread through the sand the only remaining way out was to filling, seeping through until it final- safeguard the water supply through ly reached the perforated well pipe, cisterns. Therefore all the lanes and duly purified. From there it could be squares were paved with stone drawn up from the well as required. blocks, between which the rain water This technical installation, which could not seep away, and in this man- grew entirely out of the need of the ner the entire expanse of public open location, ultimately developed into Roof loggias serve as a substitute for gardens. spaces in the city was converted into the characteristic decorative form for a gigantic rain water collector. As far as public open spaces in Venice. The possible, the water was now not led off ground inlets at the lowest points in into the canals, but the gradients of the the piazza, where the rain water flows lanes and open spaces were arranged together, were covered with perfora- in such a manner that it flowed toge- ted marble blocks which are often ther in the public squares. very artistically worked. The groins The cisterns are still to be and valleys of the drainage system found beneath the public squares linking these inlets together were even today. They are no longer in use also constructed in marble or stones but their method of functioning is in other colours so that they create a still easy to recognise. Large rectan- geometric pattern within the square gular pits with sides of eight to twelve area. The well parapets (vere da poz- metres in length and about two me- zo), finally, which stand at the highest tres deep were excavated beneath the point at the centre of the square,

Republic of Common Ground

MASTHEAD Design Translation Students From IUAV(University un-common Venice Supporters of Venice) doing the surveys Founded 1798 Samuel Bänziger INTERSERV AG Participating Project to the 13th Department of Architecture ETH Although the founding of the newspa- Bänziger Hug GmbH Seebahnstrasse 85 Anna Ascari, Francesca Cassina, Daniele International Architecture Exhibition – Zurich / Chair of Landscape per «Republic of Common Ground» 9000 St.Gallen, Switzerland 8036 Zürich, Switzerland Franzi, Sofia Marchesini, Emanuele La Biennale di Venezia. A Project by Architecture Günther Vogt, coincided with the establishment of the www.baenziger-hug.com Martinangeli, Anna Maria Pentimalli, the Chair of Landscape Architecture ETH Zurich / Vogt Landscape Helvetic Republic, its ideological base Print Eleonora Porcellato ETH Zurich and Case Studio VOGT, 2012 Architects Ltd. / Network City and reaches back even further and refers to Addresses Landscape (NSL), ETH Zurich / Zehnder Print AG the etymological roots of the ‘Republic’, Competition Winners Project-Team: Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia Editorial Office Postfach 73 to the ancient ‘res publica’ - the newspa- Günther Vogt ETH Zurich 9501 Wil, Switzerland Fabio Bernasconi, Sean Blem, Andreas per accordingly has commited itself to Rebecca Bornhauser THANKS Chair of Günther Vogt Boden, Julian Charrière, Berte Daan, the ‘public affair’. Nicola Eiffler Institute for Landscape Architecture Price Leon Eixenberger, Sonja Flury, Marc Samuel Bänziger, Katharina Benz, Thomas Kissling ONA J 25 Frochaux, Kathrin Füglister, Tom Maren Brakebusch, Berte Daan, Irène EDitors CHF 0.00 Neunbrunnenstrasse 50 Griffiths, Hannes Gutberlet, Kathrin Djao-Rakitine, Claudia Gebert, EUR 0.00 www.republic-of-common-ground.com Günther Vogt 8050 Zurich, Switzerland Haltiner, Johannes Heine, Manuel Hitz, Lindsay Howe, Jakob Kortemeier, Rebecca Bornhauser www.vogt.arch.ethz.ch Claudia Köllner, Simon Kroll, Bianca Dafi Kühne, Davide Legittimo, Sophie Circulation Nicola Eiffler Kummer, Xiang Li, Scott Lloyd, Sandro Lueg, Lars Müller, Sergio Pascolo, Thomas Kissling Case Studio VOGT 20 000 italian edition Murchini, Dominik Noli, Guillaume David Rademacher, Katrin Sommer, Stampfenbachstrasse 59 20 000 english edition Othenin-Girard, Nelly Pilz, Katja Ries, Bernhard Zingler. Also we would like Assistance 8006 Zurich Florian Ringli, Macarena Ruiz-Tagle, to thank the Students from IUAV for www.casestudio-vogt.ch Madina Saadan, Agnese Saggia, Fabio their essential help and all the Par- Katharina Benz Strub, Julius von Bismarck, Eva Wil- ticipants of the Competition for their Claudia Gebert Bänziger Hug GmbH lenegger commitment! Lindsay Howe Unterstrasse 34 Jakob Kortemeier 9000 St.Gallen, Switzerland

13 Republic of Common Ground MAPPING VENICE September – November 2012

Julia

Maria Rosa Isabella (1)

Constanza Daria

Camilla

Alessia Stefano Alessandra (1) Julietta Marco (3) Marco (1) Isabella (2) Barbara

Luigi Marco (3)

Maritta Camilla Mariarosa Barbara Anna (1) Alessandra (2) Francesco (1)

Lucia Roberto

Michele Janina Anna (3) Valentina Andrea Francesco (2)

Julietta

Paola

Mike Francesco (1)

Luigi

Roberto

Legend A most important place for Venice B most important place for the person questioned

Alessandra (1), 29, Italy Anna (1), 19, Italy Barbara, 21, Italy where I feel at home. I was born near there, and Francesco (1), 22, Italy A Train station. Because it’s the door to the world. A St. Mark’s Square is an amazing place in terms of a st. Mark’s Square. Because everyone has been my family has lived there throughout different a punta della Dogana. You can see many different b s. Giovanni e Paolo. Because it’s a relaxing square architecture and it also full of history. Everyone admiring it for years and years generations. It also retains an original and vital places from there. where Venetian life mixes with the lives of the in the world admires it and wants to go there B The train station and Piazzale Roma. They are nature that is really pleasant. b guggenheim. Very much a place worth seeing tourists. b campo San Polo. It is an intimate and friendly the access points to the city and in my opinion place, close to my primary school among other they are essential so that the city may continue to Daria, 27, Italy Francesco (2), 55, Italy Alessandra (2), 50, Italy things thrive A St. Mark’s Square. Because it is picturesque a st. Mark’s Square without a doubt! No need for a st. Mark’s or Rialto Square, I’m not sure! They B Fondamenta della Misericordia. A place, where I explanations! are both places with a great history behind them! Anna (2), 20, Italy Benedetta, 20, Italy generally go to relax. b san Marta, the stores of San Basiiol and the They were and still are the key points of the city a strada Nuova. Because that place is a source of a st. Mark’s Square, of course! Venice and St. Tolentini. Because that is where I work! b st. Mark’s Square! I love the Basilica, it exudes wealth for Venice thanks to the huge number of Mark’s Square are almost synonymous these days! Emanuele, 29, Italy spirituality! I love the Basilica and the spirituality souvenir shops. b salizada San Lio! Herein lies the most delicious a palazzo Ducale. Because it’s a symbol of the his- Giulia, 26, Italy it transmits! b punta della Dogana. Here you can have the entire ice cream in Venice without a doubt, I often go tory of the ancient Republic of Venice a st. Mark’s Square. It is the most famous place in panorama of the grandeur of Venice. there with my grandparents, it has great senti- B Zattere. Because it’s a place that makes me feel the city. Alessia, 20, Italy mental value! very good b st. Mark’s Square. Because it reminds me of when A The train station. Because a lot of tourists arrive Anna (3), 21, Italy I was child, and I used to come in Venice. here to visit Venice, and Venice lives thanks to a st. Mark’s Square. Tourist centre Camilla, 22, Italy Federico, 26, Italy tourism. b campo Santa Margherita. Location of the univer- a piazzale Roma. The entryway to the city for every- A Rialto’s bridge. Because it is a symbol of the city Isabella (1), 23, Italy b my 2nd house. Corte Mazor. For a person who sity one b arsenale. Because I saw the American’s Cup there, a ponte di Rialto. The oldest bridge in Venice studies in Venice, life is easier with a house here. B ca`Tron. An example of a different kind of city and I fell in love with this place b ghetto Ebraico. I know this place well. Anna (4), 25, Italy Alice, 25, Italy a arsenale. It is a part of the history of Venice. Claire, 30, Great Britain Francesca, 15, Italy Isabella (2), 32, Italy a piazza San Marco: The most important place in b ponte dei Sospiri. It is very typical of Venice. a st. Mark’s Square. Central location for tourism a st. Mark’s Square, it is the symbol of the city a st. Mark’s Square. It is the main tourist destina- Venice. b ponte di Rialto. My fiancé proposed to me there because of its historical importance and it was tion. b biennale of Venice: Architecture centre of the city. Antonio, 22, Italy the seat of the Doge’s power B The great staircase of the train station. From a rialto. The market has always been the most Constanza, 28, Italy b campo San Giovanni and Paulo, because I often there, you can get your first glimpse of Venice. Andrea, 23, Italy important place for a city a saint Mark’s basin. I think it’s the most solemn played there as a child a st. Mark’s Square. There is a mix of different cul- b strada Nuova. I have had beautiful walks there and representative place in Venice, where the Janina, 22, Germany tures and I lived there for a while lagoon reflects the majesty of the surrounding A St. Mark’s Square. Because of the tower b campo S. Margherita. Because it is a place for palaces. It gives me a sense of pride. b campo Santa Margherita. I lived here. young people to meet. B Fondamenta della Misericordia. It’s the place 14 Republic of Common Ground MAPPING VENICE September – November 2012

Daria

Marco (2)

Anna (2) Antonio

Francesca Alessandra (1)

Shiho Federico Claire Isabella (1) Mike Shiho Mariarosa Valentina Alessandra (2) Riccardo Antonio Lucia Benedetta

Anna (4) Anna (4) Federico Giulia Mariarosa Alessandra (2) Giulia Alice Andrea Daria Massimiliano Massimiliano Marta Michele Nicole Julia Shiho Maritta Marta Marco (1) Claire Isabella (2) Luigina Marco (2) Janina Francesca Luigina Paola Emanuele Benedetta Anna (3) Alessandra (2) Barbara Francesco (2) Stefano Constanza Riccardo

Nicole Maria Rosa Francesco (1) Anna (2)

Alice

Julia, 22, Austria Marco (1), 28, Italy Mariarosa, 50, Italy Michele, 50, Italy loved. It ‘s alive and full of people, there is a A St. Mark’s Square. The most famous square in A The train station. Because it represents the main a rialto. It is one of the most famous places in a st. Mark’s Square. Travel destination for tourists, market and the atmosphere is buzzing. the city way to come to Venice Venice around the world home of museums and historic sites B Fond. Sacca San Girolamo. Beautiful view b corte d’appello (St. Mark’s). Because it represents b campo dei Greci. This is the place where I grew b campo Santa Margherita. This is where friends Roberto, 28, Italy the judicial power of Venice up! gather to spend time with each other. a grand Canal. Because it shows the essence of the Julietta, 35, Italy city: a city built on water. Water as a privileged A Stazione Santa Lucia. The most important place to Marco (2), 28, Italy Maritta, 26, Germany Mike, 25, USA point of view to the city. arrive is the most important arrival place. a riva degli Schiavoni. Because it’s the first place a st. Mark’s Square. Culture a ponte di Rialto. Because it is a market, a tourist b giudecca. Because it’s the place of which I have b santa Marta. University you see when you arrive by sea. St. Mark’s bell b piazzale Roma. Accessible by car site, and place there are stores. the most memories. tower, the Dogana, the boats that frantically cross b guggenheim. I love the art and go there when I Lucia, 30, Italy the canal, the city on the background, and the Marta, 28, Italy am in Venice. Shiho, 27, Japan A The Grand Canal. Because everyone navigates it roofs; a living tableau staged from some science- a st. Mark’s Square. Because it’s an unparalleled a ponte di Rialto / St. Mark’s Square. Wonderful by vaporetto, boat or gondola and can breathe fiction story. square that remains the same as time passes, with Nicole, 80, Italy place with restaurants and shops in Venice: it’s palaces, travelling by boat, and B Fondamenta Nove. It’s one of the first places I the aesthetics and the dirt of centuries, crossroads a st. Mark’s Square. Essential place to visit for tour- B Taverna Del Campiello Remer, Very romantic understanding that it’s a city built on water. saw. I consider it a magic place, an isolated corner of rich and poor from around the world, over- ists and those who are not place b rialto and the market. For the spritz, the market of Venice. A dead end of a world that looks at the sized chaotic centre compared with the urban b punta della Dogana. Wide-open view and home and the typical Venice mix among stalls, bacari cemetery, at Murano and at the north part of the scale, gate of the city from the water capable of of contemporary art Stefano, 28, Italy and the intermingling of Venetians and tourists lagoon. astounding travellers from everywhere. A Train station. Because it’s where you arrive in the b san Giacomo dallʼOrio. A typical Venetian and Paola, 85, Italy city, and it’s the place where you leave it. Luigi, 28, Italy Marco (3), 70, Italy Italian square, with the church, bars, children, A St. Mark’s Square. It is home to the most im- b st. Mark’s Square. Because it’s the only “square” in a ponte della Libertà. Reason: Because everyone A Stazione Santa Lucia Stazione. Interface with the elderly, tourists with ice cream, a supermarket, portant symbols of the city: The bell tower, the Venice! arrives in Venice through it entire world the sun, the shade: a provincial domesticity Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. B Zattere. Because you can see either Venice or b campo San Cassiano. This is where I live this B The Academy. In my opinion it is one of the Valentina, 32, Italy Porto Marghere: At the same time, you can look year. Massimiliano, 27, Italy points in Venice where you can enjoy the best a ponte di Rialto. Tourist location that also has a at the romantic and the industrial parts of the a st. Mark’s Square. Most important tourist site view and you can feel the spirit of Venice! market city. Maria Rosa, 25, Italy b st. Mark’s Square. Opposite the heart of Venice, b campo Santa Margherita. Centre of my activities a punta della Dogana. Here you can see wonderful where there are alleys typical of Venice Riccado, 70, Italy Luigina, 60, Italy sunsets. A The arsenal, that is where they laid the ground- A St. Mark’s Square. Because it is the centre of Venice b paradiso Perduto (Fondamenta di Canareggio). work for the maritime force of Serenissima, the b st. Mark’s Square. Because it gives me a sense of It is a place of the people, and I love that atmos- Venetian Republic tranquillity and serenity phere. b rialto, is an area in Venice that I have always 15 Republic of Common Ground SPECIAL: KIOSK September – November 2012

Inventory of the Republic of Common Ground

Sean Blem Scott Lloyd

La Serenissima

We propose the commissioning of a new print run of a seventeenth century map of Venice. The map shows all thoroughfares that are still easily recognisable today: so this ancient map can still function as a rudimentary guide. More importantly, it illustrates the enlightened planers approach to urban growth within clearly restricted surroundings. The planning directives legislated and enforced by the Doge’s council continue to dominate the locomotion of the inhabitants and visitors through the city to the present day. Beyond this, the map and map-making must be recognised as catalytic to the development of the Venetian State: its seafaring, trade, wealth and military might. Accompanying the rise of Venice to 1 2 3 a position of regional geopolitical dominance came a period4 of investment in the arts and architecture: 5 6 leading to the development of much that we recognise today as La Serenissima.

We shall source an original map engraving plate from the private archives of heralded historical printer Gianni Basso. We have a long-term collaborative relationship with Mr Basso, whose historically sensitive contemporary works are based around the use of a Guttenberg press and natural Venetian inks. The map will be printed on archival grade acid free pure cotton paper, signed, date stamped and series numbered. The edition size will be one hundred. The map will then be folded according to the rule of mapmakers as directed by the ofﬁce of Ordnance Survey, Great Britain, to ﬁt inside the Kiosk box.

7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30

31 32 33 34

316 Republic of Common Ground SPECIAL: KIOSK September – November 2012

The inventory of the Republic of Common Ground consists of contributions from the Case Studio VOGT and articles by students and friends from the fields of architecture, art and design. A large part of the kiosk products come from a competition, which was announced at the ETH Zurich, University of Venice, the UDK Berlin and in the offices of VogtL andscape Archi- tecture Ltd. The aim was to discover an un-common Venice based on subjective perspectives and to translate this into the language of the kiosk. The item could be freely created using materials and technology.

Unless otherwise indicated, all the items of the Republic of Common Ground at our kiosk in the city on the corner of Via Garibaldi / Riva dei Sette Martiri can be purchased. Payment is by way of participation in our survey. In addition, there is the option of ordering the items on- line at www.republic-of-common-ground.com.

1 The Compas of Venice 9 map compass 17 se souvenir, pour revenir - 26 do not feed the pigeons Tom Griffiths Andreas Boden revenir, pour se souvenir Tom Griffiths all roads lead to St. Mark’s an uncommon Way to find Florian Ringli The secret fast food for Square. your way through Venice. image and construction. pigeons. Available at the kiosk and on the Internet Available at the kiosk and on the Internet Available at the kiosk and on the Internet Available at the kiosk and on the Internet

2 Fox Pipe 10 upwelling map 18 Venice is exhausted. 27 Fanding Leon Eixenberger Manuel Hitz, Dominik Noli Simon Kroll, Johannes Heine Agnese Saggia a chance to meet the wild Venice completed unfurled. Take a seat! For a cool head and stomach. side of Venice! Available at the kiosk and on the Internet Available at the kiosk and on the Internet Available at the kiosk and on the Internet Available at the kiosk and on the Internet 11 Views of kiosks 19 get a different impression of 28 eau de Toilette 3 greetings from Venice! case Studio VOGT Venice. Marc Frochaux Li Xiang what else is there to say? Sonja Flury The irresistible fragrance of the The ubiquitous postcard. Available at the kiosk and on the Internet The impressive Take-Away. lagoon. Für Thomas und ande- available at the kiosk and on the Internet Available at the kiosk and on the Internet re Männer. 12 postcards: Posters - work Available at the kiosk and on the Internet 4 la Serenissima description 20 el arcumbè fabiògo Scott Lloyd, Sean Blem Case Studio VOGT Fabio Strub 29 Sea-spray-away rediscover the old Venice. Design Dafi Kühne For hunters and gatherers. Kathrin Füglister Available on the Internet Choose your language and Available at the kiosk and on the Internet spray the sea level statement. of Venice. 5 The landscape behind Available at the kiosk, on the Internet and at 21 The Stones of Venice Available at the kiosk and on the Internet the city the Biennale Rebecca Bornhauser Katja Ries, Claudia Köllner John Ruskin made easy. 30 memoria di Venezia - leave the city in search of the 13 Venice - the Unattainable Available at the kiosk and on the Internet Una Scatola di Impressioni landscape. Kathrin Haltiner Hannes Gutberlet Available at the kiosk and on the Internet so far and yet so close. 22 Everyvenice remember your personal Available at the kiosk and on the Internet Sandro Murchini Venice in a playful way. 6 Newspaper ‘Republic of did you like Venice - then Available at the kiosk and on the Internet Common Ground’ 14 Venice in 89 days come visit us in Annecy, Case Studio VOGT, Case Studio VOGT stockholm … 31 Free Day Pass to the Design Samuel Bänziger Follow the mental maps of available at the kiosk and on the Internet city of Venice Un-common News of un-com- local inhabitants and tourists. Berte Daan, Nelly Pilz mon Venice. Available at the kiosk and on the Internet 23 business cards Visit the largest museum Available at the kiosk, on the Internet Case Studio VOGT in Italy! and at the Biennale 15 passport - Citizen of the Com- The uncommon way to Available at the kiosk and on the Internet mon Ground introduce yourself. 7 common Ground Map Lars Müller and Provided for you 32 an ode to Lodoli Fabio Bernasconi Case Studio VOGT Scott Lloyd, Sean Blem Venice under a different light. become a citizen of the largest 24 homage to Polo Views of a Venetian monk. Available on the Internet state in the world. Scott Lloyd, Guillaume available at the kiosk and on the Internet Available at the kiosk and on the Internet Othenin-Girard 8 Posters a legend made of silk. 33 cyanometer Case Studio VOGT, 16 Follow me Available at the kiosk and on the Internet Macarena Ruiz-Tagle Design Dafi Kühne Bianca Kummer, determine the skies over Multilingual Common Eva Willenegger 25 Acqua Alta Venice. Ground. The devil is in the detail. Tom Griffiths Available at the kiosk and on the Internet You can see them at the Biennale and in the Available at the kiosk and on the Internet so that you’re not up to your City of Venice - Available on the Internet neck in water. 34 some pigeons are more equal Available at the kiosk and on the Internet than others Julius von Bismarck, Julian Charrière Pigeons? Available at the kiosk and on the Internet

17 Republic of Common Ground SPECIAL: KIOSK September – November 2012

From a small pleasure pavilion to a shrine of consumerism A brief history of the kiosk

In the Islamic world individuals – gave out the good drin- “kiosk” referred to the garden pavi- king water to passersby in accordan- lions in the park or palaces, whose ce with Islamic law, the Shari’a, as a use was reserved for the ruling family charitable gift, free of charge. These of the sultan. Due to the lightweight stone fountain houses are very simi- design and not very durable mate- lar to the kiosks of today, both have a rials used, only a few are still preser- similar formal aspect, they are on ved today in their original form. publicly accessible land, they serve Manmade constsructions built to refreshments to passersby and the last for an eternity were considered inside is not as important as the open as being somewhat presumptuous, hatch. besides an older, dilapidated kiosk The kiosk was first men- offered a welcome opportunity to tioned in plans and papers for En- erect an even more beautiful con- glish landscape gardens in the 18th struction in its place. The family of century. They often had an oriental Sultan Mehmed IV (1648-87) suffered look to them as a garden pavilion, or an illfate due to their passion for the popular “gazebo” (gaze = to look kiosks, after having built over 50 of intently in admiration or wonder), Grand Vizier of the Sultan Ahmet III in the kiosk of Turkish pump room `sebil`from the 16th century in his tulip-garden (Istanbul, early 18th century) them, the people became enraged. they were located on an elevated site Istanbul They rushed at the kiosks, destroying with a beautiful view. The light and The kiosk: Sometimes it is inconspi- them and tearing them down; they open circular structure with columns rities permitted the sale of other cuous admist the background of the felt that these buildings together could also be converted into a ban- goods and the new shopping outlet city, but it is never modest as it offers with the palace were indecent and dstand or a spring house or pump became more appealing. a mishmash of everyday life to pas- too expensive. But what displeased room in spas. Towards the end of the sersby. As the smallest building in 19th century the range of prooducts the city it can only accomodate one on offer extended even further, on person, and yet it is the most public Kiosk [`ki:csk] the initiative of newspaper and book place of all. This little item of ‘urban The word kiosk originates from the Persian word ‘kusk’ where it meant some- publishers, to include printed items. thing like corner or angle, but also referred to a pavilion or a summer house. furniture’ may not be held in high These two meanings of the concept were maintained as it went into the Turk- Small wooden kiosks were built, for regard, but it has a rich history ish language as ‘kjosk, kjösk, kösk, köshk’. The Turkish word ‘kjosk’ appeared example, at railway stations, for just at the beginning of the 18th century, then as the onomatopoeic imitation of behind it. ‘kiosque’ in French, ‘kiosk’ in German and in similar forms in other European this reason. The intense competitive In ancient Egypt, the word languages. It was only towards the end of the 19th century that its current pressure of the national and interna- “kiosk” referred to pavilion-style shri- meaning as a small sales stand in major cities first appeared. tional press, who were always looking nes to gods or larger cult structures German: Kiosk, Danish: Kiosk, English: Kiosk, Dutch: Kiosk, Norwegian: Kiosk, Pol- for better sales opportunities, contri- ish: Kiosk, Russian: Kiosk, Swedish: Kiosk, French: kiosque, Italian: chiosco, Spanish: used for the temporary stay of a deity kiosko, Finnish: kioski buted to the continued success of the during festival processions. Egyptian kiosk in history to date and made it frescoes show pictures of baldachins an integral part of public life. or richly painted wooden housing them most of all was that the pre- It was not until the se- supported by slender columns. A viously public court ceremonies, at cond half of the 19th century that Source for figures and text: Elizabeth, Naumann (2003): Ki- well-preserved example from the which mostly craftsmen and soldiers the kiosk became commercialised osk, Entdeckungen an einem alltäglichen Ort. Vom Lustpa- Greco-Roman period is the Kiosk of were allowed to participate, now and turned into small shops in the villon zum kleinen Konsumtempel. Marburg: Jonas Verlag Trajan on Angelika island, also known took place in the erected pavilions city. The common use for the word as Pharaoh’s bed: a monumental con- and were reserved for princesses and “kiosk” now refers to a small shop struction from around 100 A.D., a their favourites. The development of stand. Initially there were open-air rectangular room circumscribed by the kiosk in Islamic culture was clo- bars, so-called “drinking halls” or columns, open on all sides. sely linked with horticulture. The “health resorts for the common worldly Mughal Gardens of the 16th man”. A well known example of this century were regarded as a reflection was created by a resourceful manu- of paradise. They were on several le- facturer in Dresden who came up vels in some parts, had open spaces with the idea of setting up small supplemented with graceful garden huts all around the city that served houses containing cushioned seats, mineral water. Apart from the eco- and fragrant flowering shrubs and nomic reasons, considerations for trees that promised paradise. The in- health policies also played an im- terior was solely reserved for the important role. Ever since it was mass- perial princes. produced, brandy was considered In addition to using the as being the most inexpensive tonic kiosks as part of garden art, there for the working classes who were, were also street kiosks in the Otto- in part, malnourished and so it was man Empire that were part of the given out for free by the factories. public area; these so-called “sebils” The high failure rate of machines were used as a fountain house. A ser- and protests by the middle-class as vant sitting on the inside supplied well as the church, however, the city’s population with good prompted the employers to build drinking water from a large reservoir. small mineral water huts on their

Column-based rotunda: A garden seat for a The donors - the ruling families or premises, which also served coffee, noble family (1745) other high dignitaries and wealthy tea and milk. Over time, the autho- Historical view of a drinking hall in Duisburg

18 Republic of Common Ground INTERVIEWS September – November 2012

1 Kiosk for every 500 inhabitants Interview with the owner of the oldest kiosk in Venice.

em can I ask your name? FR The most ridiculous things. It’s as if I’m FR Francesco. running an information office here. em how long have you had this kiosk? Greetings from passers-by (friends), makes a joke Fr well personally I’ve had it for 35 years, but asking the lady if she’s decided to kill her hu- it’s been in the family since 1945. Before me sband yet, the husband replies “You’ll see my father ran it; when the war ended in yourself the very next day in the papers”. 1945 this became part of the family. em but with all the people and the tourists em was it always in this location or were you that pass by, and even people whom you previously in a different spot? often know, do you still manage to find Fr always here, at San Giovanni Grisostomo, that dimension of Venice as a “small” city? it began here and we’re still here. FR Not any more. Can you believe I’ve not em are there other kiosks here in Venice that been to St. Mark’s Square for six months? I have been there for as long as this one? go from my house to here and from here to FR This year it’s the oldest in Venice in terms my house. I steadfastly refuse to walk of service, not in terms of my age but in around and see the shops change. It used to terms of how far back the work goes. I’m be nice to go to the “mercerie” area because only sixty-five. it was nice to see the shops, but now it’s em so I imagine that you are now the owner, awful – all big chains or masks. and before it was your father? em in the past was there a kind of “village” di- Fr exactly, unfortunately my father has not mension to it? been around for 23 years. So when he beca- Fr yes there was, but then it changed. me ill I took over from him and took em when exactly? charge of the business. FR The most profound change came about em are there kiosks like this that are rented around the eighties, then bit by bit out by the city authorities? everything changed. I think the change FR No, they are each owned by somebody began with the carnivals of the eighties, who might then rent them out to somebo- when they started to organise them at a dy else, and the local authority rents out mass level for tourists. the patch on which the kiosk stands. em so what’s your view of this transformation em so I imagine your father was a post-war into a “museum city”? businessman. Fr i think it’s wrong. There was a mayor once, FR That’s right. When the war ended he star- who then became a friend too, his name ted selling newspapers; there were three was Mario Rigo, who said we should put a newspapers altogether in those days – at barrier on the bridge and make everyone the end of the war people hardly had who wants to visit Venice pay an entry anything. price. Given the situation today it’s perhaps em so there was very little to sell, but the busi- not a bad idea. ness of selling newspapers was something em do you believe the kiosks are important that picked up straight away? for Venice? Fr and then it developed over time. FR They are important for any city, for exam- em and in terms of the number of newsagents, ple wherever you are, where do you go if how many kiosks are there in Venice? you want to ask for information? To the FR 119 outlets… oh no, sorry, it’s 117 outlets petrol station or the newsagent, but here because two closed not long ago. per and pass by again in the evening when em you mentioned that there are a lot of Vene- there aren’t any petrol stations … em so 117 today, and do you know how many they go home. My relationship with my tians among your customers but that em but going beyond providing information, there used to be? customers is a bit special because, having you’ve noticed a few changes in habits for is there another motivation for you? Fr pretty much the same number; the pro- been here for 35 years, most of my custo- example. Fr it’s a meeting place, at least for those who blem is that Venice used to have 250,000 mers have become friends. Fr yes, there’s been a change, particularly over know one another. inhabitants, and now it has barely 60,000, em yes, I see that already, since we’ve been here the last few years there has been a change em so you would see it as something of a refe- yet we’re the city with the highest density you’ve said hello to various people. So in the level of spending, actually on a cash rence point. Do you like your work? of outlets in Italy - one for every 500 inha- some customers you even know by name? level, for example people that used to buy Fr yes, I like my work; I like being around bitants, including children, old people and Fr yes, I know their names, addresses, wives, two dailies and a couple of magazines a other people. Of course, like all jobs, it has babies. children; I’m already the second genera- week now only get one. its pros and cons; if I look at the negative em so the city is losing more and more resi- tion that’s been here so when I came there em what was the strangest request you have side the hours are long, I leave the house at dents, but the kiosks are still there. were children going to school who have ever had from a customer? five in the morning and get home at seven Fr yes, but if you count only the “true” new- now become mothers and have their own FR The problem of the customer here is that in the evening. spaper kiosks – those that sell only newspa- children. nine times out of ten he or she is attracted em what do you think about street vendors? pers – not many are left; they’ve all em have you noticed a change in your custo- by television adverts, so they see the advert FR They shouldn’t be there. Unfortunately it’s switched to serving tourists. Because at the mers? and the subject matter but hardly every re- not controlled. How is it possible to orga- end of the day we get 22 million tourists a Fr a fall in the number of customers, because member the title of the magazine. For nise services for a city of fifty-nine thou- year, and if you’re here from six in the there’s been a fall in the population. example “I think a supplement to the Cor- sand people when there are twenty-two morning for twelve hours a day I think em you haven’t noticed an increase in the riere has come out”, which inevitably me- million tourists a year? you’ve got the right to earn a crust. There number of tourists over time? ans “because I saw the advert”, and it might em what is the most important place for Veni- are areas where it’s worth sticking to new- Fr i sure have! From the eighties onwards, but come out a month later. ce in your opinion? spapers only and areas where it’s worth ca- it’s not of much interest to me as I don’t Somebody asks for information, not the first to Fr without a doubt it’s St. Mark’s Square. tering to tourists too, where the newspa- sell tourist items. But it depends, I also do so … em and what’s the most important place in pers become an optional extra on top of have some foreign customers who have Fr if I got fifty cents each time thenI could Venice for you? the tourist gadgets. houses in Venice and come here on holiday easily give up work. Fr everywhere that’s not St. Mark’s Square. em what is the ratio of local clients, who you two or three times a year, and come to buy em approximately how many times each day know are Venetian and buy newspapers or a paper. They come to buy a paper here do you get asked for information? magazines, to tourists? because they know I stock foreign publica- Fr several hundred times a day. Fr well if we take 100 clients then ten will be tions. He asks me to wait a moment while he goes to get tourists and ninety Italians.I’ve “cultivated” em so the number of Venetian customers has himself a Spriz. a client base. I specialise in newspapers so fallen, but the number of foreign “tourists” em and which has been the most bizarre cu- A good public if a customer wants to find a particular who come to buy newspapers, but not stomer you’ve every had? newspaper or magazine, they need to come souvenirs, has increased. Fr well, the clients who then become friends, space is like a to me. I’ve got around 8000 titles here, in- Fr and then I’m also lucky that I can get by in so we address one another in the familiar kiosk: it allows the cluding foreign ones. But I only sell “prin- four languages having lived abroad. fashion, and they come to me on a Satur- ted paper”, no gadgets. As an optional extra em what did you do? day and say “my fridge is broken, where coexistence of a maybe a few postcards. Fr i worked as a waiter; I went to hospitality can I find an electrician?” or, I don’t know, variety of everyday em do you have a few regular customers you college at Abano Terme and worked in “my lights aren’t working” or “where can I see every day? Switzerland, France and Germany. I don’t find a plumber?” commodities on a Fr of course, I have customers I see every sin- know any of the Slavic languages or Japa- EM So the regular customers ask you small area. gle day, even several times a day because nese, but they speak some English and we everything as if you were a next-door nei- they pass by in the morning and buy a pa- understand one another. ghbour?

19 Republic of Common Ground MAPPING VENICE September – November 2012

Intendant, 31, female, Venice, Italy Student, 25, male, S. Biagio, Italy Student, 21, female, Bergamo, Italy

Pianist, 24, female, Lyon, France Engineer, 26, female, Bologna, Italy Teacher, 47, female, Verona, Italy

Architect, 26, male, Baniuomoarca, Italy Architect, 26, male, Venice, Italy Ice-cream man, 40, male, Venice, Italy

20 Republic of Common Ground HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU NEED FOR VENICE? September – November 2012

Lawyer Judge, 58, male, Sydney, Australia Pensioner, 75, male, Venice, Italy Student of restoration, 24, female, Venice, Italy

Architect, 26, female, Daniuomoarca, Italy Student, 23 / 24, female, Venezia, Italy Employee, 30, male, Great Britain

Investor, 50, male, Venice, Italy Architect, 29, male, Venice, Italy Restorer, 28, male, Venice, Italy

21 Republic of Common Ground international September – November 2012

How does globalisation work locally?

Invisible Cities What is the plural of Italo Calvino Venice?

‘Did you ever happen to see a city resembling this one?’ Kublai asked Marco Polo, extending What is the plural of Venice? his beringed hand from beneath the silken 2 The fact that Venice is a seemin- canopy of the imperial barge, to point to the bridges arching over the canals, the princely gly inexhaustible resource, like palaces whose marble doorsteps were im- a global multiplying machine mersed in the water, the bustle of light craft that ubiquitously reproduces zigzagging, driven by long oars, the boats its place name and image, is unloading baskets of vegetables at the mar- 1 no longer a surprise to anyone. ket squares, the balconies, platforms, domes, 3 campaniles, island gardens growing green in 4 However, we were surprised the lagoon’s greyness. by some of the answers we re- The emperor, accompanied by his foreign di- ceived when we asked tourists gnitary, was visiting Kin-sai, ancient capital of deposed dynasties, the latest pearl set in the and local residents what they Great Khan’s crown. would compare Venice or cer- ‘No, sire,’ Marco answered, I should never tain squares of the city to, and have imagined a city like this could exist.’ what their reasons were for The emperor tried to peer into his eyes. The foreigner lowered his gaze. Kublai remained making these comparisons. silent the whole day. After sunset, on the terraces of the palace, Marco Polo expounded to the sovereign the results of his missions. As a rule the Great Khan concluded his day savouring these tales with 1 campo Santa Margherita half-closed eyes until his first yawn was the 2 campo del Ghetto Nuovo 3 st. Mark’s Square signal for the suite of pages to light the fla- 4 riva dei Sette Martiri mes that guided the monarch to the Pavilion of the August Slumber. But this time Kublai seemed unwilling to give in to weariness. ‘Tell me another city,’ he insisted. ‘… You leave there and ride for three days between the northeast and eastby-northeast Campo Santa Margherita winds …’ Marco resumed saying, enumera- ting names and customs and wares of a great number of lands. His repertory could be called inexhaustible, but now he was the one who had to give in. Dawn had broken when he said: ‘Sire, now I have told you about all the cities I know.’ “Campo San Giacomo ‘There is still one of which you never speak.’ Marco Polo bowed his head. is as well open, a local ‘Venice,’ the Khan said. meeting place, a bank, Marco smiled. ‘What else do you believe I have been talking to you about?’ a bit of everything. The emperor did not flinch. ‘And yet I have never heard you mention that name.’ And Polo said: ‘Every time I describe a city I am saying something about Venice.’ ‘When I ask you about other cities, I want to hear about them. And about Venice, when I ask you about Venice.’ ‘To distinguish the other cities’ qualities, I must speak of a first city that remains impli- Marketplace, Padua Marketplace, Arezzo Le colonne, Milano Campo San Giacomo, Venice cit. For me it is Venice.’ ‘You should then begin each tale of your tra- vels from the departure, describing Venice as it is, all of it, not omitting anything you remember of it.’ The lake’s surface was barely wrinkled; the copper reflection of the ancient palace of the Sung was shattered into sparkling glints like floating leaves. Padua Cathedral Piazza Ferreto, Mestre Pirano, Croatia Banks of the Seine, Paris ‘Memory’s images, once they are fixed in words, are erased,’ Polo said. ‘Perhaps I am “The Padua Cathedral afraid of losing Venice all at once, if I speak square is also a meeting of it. Or perhaps, speaking of other cities, I place, like Campo Santa have already lost it, little by little.’ Margherita.”

Quoted from: Calvino, Italo (1972): Invisible Cities. Translated from the Italian by William Weaver. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Rue des Boulangers, Paris Piazza del Legnago, Verona Publishers, pp.85-87.

22 Republic of Common Ground international September – November 2012

Campo del Ghetto Nuovo

Anguilla, Caribbean Marketplace, Constance Campo San Polo, Venice Gamla Stan, Stockholm

“It is peaceful, like the Caribbean.”

Campo del Fiori, Rome Place du Marais, Paris St. Mark’s Square

San Sebastian, Spain “The narrow side streets leading to large squares in Jerusalem are like Venice, also with tourism.” Jerusalem, Israel

Piazza Unità d’Italia, Trieste Plaza Mayor, Madrid Piazza del Signori, Vicenza Amagertorv, Copenhagen “The grand atmosphere of St. Mark’s is like Brunelleschi’s dome on the Florence cathedral.”

Amsterdam, the Netherlands Campidoglio, Rome Rådhuspladsen, Copenhagen Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence

Riva dei Sette Martiri

Las Ramblas, Barcelona

“I live in the most beautiful place in the world - emotionally, I could compare it to living at Stonehenge, Abu Simbel near the two stone tempels, or with the Mona Lisa!”

Assuan, Egypt Oaxaca, Mexico Stonehenge, Great Britan Strada, Vicenza Naples, Florida Strada Nuova, Venice

“Because I feel at home there too.” Sirmione, Lake Garda Cartagena Harbor, Murica La Spezia, Italy Fondamenta, Venice

23 Republic of Common Ground INTERNATIONAL September – November 2012

Fukushima! Terrible … It is fundamental. Venice is One of the cities with the Office employee, 30, male, London, a small town - it allows the greatest number of tourists. Great Britain city to breathe, tourists A magnet for tourism. Both — make everything chaotic. Venetians and tourists come Very valuable, but one must 77 Unemployed, 17, male, Venice, Italy together. show the tourists the true Salesmen, 37, 38, male, Venice, Italy statements Venice of the Venetians. Venice is bound to tourism. — Pensioner, 72, male, Verona, Italy Gondola driver, 35, male, Venice, Italy At one time the tourists on tourism — only came at certain periods It is neither positive nor Tourism is anchored in hi- and brought more money. About tourism in Ven- negative, merely useful. story and increases curiosity. That’s no longer the case. Pensioner, 66, male, Berlin , Germany ice has all been said, Teacher, 52, female, Venice, Italy Pensioner, 65, female, Venice, Italy — but not from all … — — If it weren’t for tourism, Ve- Very positive! Very important. Without nice would be empty! Student, 22, male, New York, USA tourists it would be empty, From a social perspective, Student, 22, female, Arezzo, Italy — poor, and no one would live tourism is negative. Howe- — This beautiful, vast urban here. ver, the economic benefits Substantial! A great deal de- space is enriched by the gre- Chef, 53, male, Venice, Italy are important - otherwise, pends on tourism. en spaces and fits into a hi- — this place as we know it Librarian, 27, female, Mestre, Italy storical architectural con- Negative, decisions are would no longer exist. text, while at the same time made for the benefits of tou- Graphic designer, 22, male, Venice, Italy It decreases as time goes by. teeming with life. rists that are deadly for the Student, 24, male, Lozzo di Cadorem, Italy — Trader, 42, male, Venice, Italy local population, such as It is necessary to regulate it. — — large ships. Teacher, 44, male, Bresso, Italy It destroys everything. It ru- There is influence, but it Pensionerd, 76, male, Lido, Italy — ins the social fabric and the must be controlled and re- — The foreign tourists are par- economy. gulated. It makes Venice lively but Merchant, 42, female, Venice, Italy ticularly interesting. Trader, 24, female, Venice, Italy also makes it deteriorate. Brother at St. San Rocco — — Teacher, 50, female, Venice, Italy Friar, 58, male, Italy Good! it maintains the city Suffocating. There is no con- — from an economic point of trol and the people are ea- Significant, positive and ne- Overwhelming - it cannot view. ting too much pizza. It has gative - why not spend. Housewife, 44, female, Venice, Italy be endured. to be accepted because it is Teacher, 47, female, Venice, Italy Student, 25, male, S. Biagio, Italy — the only thing the city is ac- — — It’s useless to me; on the tually pressing on with. Gigantic. Venice is fragile It can corrupt the Venetians, contrary, it aids the commer- Student, 20, female, Brescia, Italy and should take better care turn the city into Disney- cialization of the Venetian — of its middle class people land and take away its soul - identity and culture. A little too intrusive, but (prices) and be less selective. Student, 19, male, Venice, Italy but it can also keep it alive. Venice lives off tourism; Teacher, 56, female, Badia Polesine, Italy Student, 25, female, Venice, Italy — you can’t do without it — It is essential to the gross na- (manage it better). Invasive, negative too. Tourism is positive. The city tional product. Trader, Fishmonger, 47, 48, Unemployed, 37, male, Badia Venezia, Italy lives because of it, but the Taxi driver, 37, male, Rovinj, Croatia male, Mestre, Italy — tourists are exploited, which — — Negative, it is too commer- makes everything expensive. It is necessary for Venice; But in daily life, they cial and masses of people. Pensioner,64, female, Lido, Italy otherwise the city would be wouldn’t live here because Museum curator, 44, female, Venice, Italy — dead. It’s the same as a busi- there is too much tourism — Positive, but stressful for the ness and then it’s different; Marketing manager, 32, Venice is overcrowded. students and workers … female, Venice, Italy young people also come to Unemployed, 55, female, New Jersey, USA Student, 20, female, Padua, Italy take photos. In a church the- — — I work in this branch, so to re are more people taking Good. It brings new ways to It is lucky that there are tou- me it’s fine the way it is. photos than praying. the city to share the place. Public relations manager, 27, female, Sao rists: globalization is good! Travel agent, 28, female, Venice, Italy Bookseller, 50, male, Montpellier, France Unemployed, 31, male, Valdobbiaden, Italy — Paulo, Brazil — — Very positive - without it, — It is essential to the city! There are many different nothing would be the same. A necessary evil (which isn’t Hospital chaplain, 55, kinds of tourism and in- Venice is tourism. too awful). Tourists are female, Sydney, Australia fluences that characterize Teacher, 41, female, Padua, Italy amorphous. — the city. We like it simple. — Teacher, 55, male, Mestre, Italy Pensioner, 79 ,male, Los Angeles, USA

24 Republic of Common Ground INTERNATIONAL September – November 2012

It is positive for the eco- I never come in summer be- Tourism isn’t bad in and of It must be very important. nomy, but also negative because it’s impossible; there itself. The reaction of the Ve- Everyone works well with cause life is too directed to- are too many groups of tou- netians - they are enslaved tourists. wards tourism. rists. I mainly prefer the are- to year-round tourism and Teacher, 39, female, Stuttgart, Germany Building contractor, 55, male, Vasco, Spain as where people live. Cer- threw away their identity — tainly it is important for the because of their greed. Positive, because there isn’t It’s very popular. There are city. Student, 22, female, La Spezia, Italy much variety in the food lots of people from different Pensioner, 70, female, Lugano, Swiss — here - only pizza and pasta! countries and languages. — Tourism today is too present Part-time secretary, 45, male, San Antonio, USA Unemployed, 55, Vasco, Spain Certainly it is very impor- and too scandalous in natu- — tant, but we need to keep it re; it is like a hit-and-run. — Tourism has a large influen- cleaner. We need some Financier, 35, male, Mestre, Italy It’s a big part of the city - ce, because probably there brushes for dog dirt. — everything revolves around are more tourists than inha- Technician, 35, male, Dueville, Italy Before undertaking a trip to the tourist. bitants. The atmosphere of — Venice, tourists should be Students, 23, 23, male, Ronneby, Sweden Venice disappears. The holy I suspect that they are “ea- educated - they have to un- — places are “no longer” holy. ting” it. derstand that there are resi- Here the number of tourists The city is built around tou- Trader, 64, male, Padova, Italy dents who deserve their re- has been limited. The boats rism. And this is bad. — spect. no longer stop here and, sin- Students, 17, 18, female, Venice lives off tourism. The Trader, 65, female, Venice, Italy ce that point, there has been Wiesbaden, Germany way in which Venetians re- — virtually no one. In Venice, — fer to tourism is negative. Living here is too expensive, fine, but sometimes there Bad. There is no quality. Ter- There’s an ambivalent rela- but seeing Venice is the are too many. rible experience for both si- tionship: tourists are despi- most beautiful thing in the Student, 18, female, Venice, Italy des: tourists and citizens. sed but indispensable. world. — Student and Worker, 25, Student, 23, female, Florence, Italy Chef, 35. male, Venice, Bangladesh Tourism; however it brings female, Mestre, Italy people and money and ke- — — — Tourism is very positive, be- Venice thrives on tourism. eps (the city) alive. Venice wouldn’t survive wi- Pensioner, 60, male, Venice, Italy thout tourism so it’s good. cause many activities are ba- Why should it become more sed on tourism. regulated? — Venice works with tourism There’s no money left. and tourists are necessary. Students, 19, 16, male, female, Lido, Italy Pensioner, 74, male, Spinea, Italy — — Pensioner, 60, male, female, Lyon, France Even if sometimes there are — too many of them and it’s Tourism is exaggerated, ne- It is necessary, but we as resi- gative, and limiting. We dents pay the price. We need It keeps the city alive. It’s unpleasant for the people thanks to tourism that it who live there. need another kind of touri- new leadership. sm. Venice is constantly in- Architect, 37, male, Venice, Italy survives. Restaurateur, 38, female, Venice, Italy fluenced by mass tourism. — Pensioner, 49, 52, male, female, — Strasbourg, France Students, 15, 16, male, Padua, Italy It brings in money, so it will A large presence, but not so — much in the Campo del persist for the sake of the Ghetto. It’s detestable, but Venice economy. needs tourism. Venice lives Art dealer, 45, male, Toronto, Canada Restaurateur, 20, female, Mirano, Italy — from tourism. Pensioner, Historic preservationist, 70, 53, It functions well and conti- “Stop and go.” NO! Tourism male, female, Castello, Italy is fine but they are disre- nues to develop - if only the- spectful. re were no cruise ships, be- There are too many tourists; cause they harm the Housewife, 36, female, Venice, Italy we can’t possibly accomoda- — environment. Otherwise te that many people. Their tourism is positive. For us there are too many money helps the economy, of them and they are Pensioner, 71, female, Venice, Italy but that is temporary as — really rude, especially on the many people are on cruises. boats. Venice is not very modern, They only produce without and it is the main industry. Housewife, 70, female, Venice, Italy consuming, and the Vene- It depends on the kind of tians have to clean up after It depends on the area. The tourists that come, so it is them . not always good. tourists are shoring up the Pensioner, 75, male, Castello, Italy economy. Pensioner, 69, male, Venice, Italy — — Social worker, 42, female, Venice, Italy

25 Republic of Common Ground OPINION & DEBATTE September – November 2012

Opening times at This is incredible! St. Mark’s Square the square and admire all the buil- belongs to everybody! It would be dings. I feel that the hours in which better if the tourists left! the square may be entered should St. Mark’s Square! Employee, 38, female, Venice, Italy be increased and instead, perhaps it would be better to prevent or reduce Opening hours have been introduced at St. Mark’s Square to limit What’s the point of having an open the number of cruises that dock here, touristic use and protect it as a cultural treasure. The square is area that is CLOSED?! mainly because of the consequences open from 8-10 am and 2-5 pm. Employee, 32, male, Padua, Italy they cause such as pollution, which corrodes the marble and stone. It doesn’t make any sense imposing It is not private property. The “con- I will lose business! I work in St. Restorer, 24, female, Venice, Yemen opening hours on a public place, you servation” of the square should be Mark’s Square and these times seem can find other solutions to stop the attained through rules regarding cle- to be too restrictive in my opinion! It would be better not to prohibit ac- square and buildings being damaged, anliness and the behaviour of people Trader, 29, female, Venice, Italy cess to the square and introduce ope- like introducing more restrictions. visiting the city. ning hours, but rather to make sure Student, 20, female, Treviso, Italy Employee, 30, male, Venice, Italy Is it a joke?! They could never do that the rules are respected and raise this! It is wrong because the square is people’s awareness of the different The square was created as a meeting At least like this I might get a bit of public property. ways to respect the monuments. place, therefore it is public place. I peace and quiet! I live nearby and I Teacher, 52, female, Venice, Italy Student, 22, female, Mestre, Italy think it would be more effective to cannot even leave my house because be more stringent on the individual of all the tourists that pass by. Since this place is important for restrictions so as to help tourists and pensioner, 68, female, Venice, Italy everyone, it is a good idea to put residents to understand how to live together some sort of maintenance in this city. plan. But five hours a day would not Student, 20, female, Venice, Italy be enough to allow the world to visit

The cost of admission people living in Veneto and people ge to enter his house, thank you very who come from outside. much. P. S. You do not buy Venice, Housewife, 45, female, Venice, Italy you live it!!! to Venice! Student, 20, female, Pordenone, Italy I think that if an entrance fee came In order to fend off the threat of national bankruptcy, Venice has into force in Venice, we would be ri- I am outraged and appalled! This become a museum. It is now possible to purchase day tickets diculed around the world. The best would mean to definitively kill the at the train station and airport. way to save money is to reduce the city! salaries of the politicians. Venice is Office worker, 36, female, Venice, Italy I would organise a rally to try to get They are crazy. If they did this, the one of the most unique historic cities in, I would bring hordes of people city would die instantly. in the world. Let’s live it! As with the ticket for St. Mark’s Squa- with me, they would have to shoot Farmer, 52, male, Modena, Italy Computer scientist, 20, male, Pordenone, Italy re I absolutely agree! This city must to try and stop me, I would organi- be funded! se a riot, launch an assault Venice by Absolutely I agree, because this is As usual Monti does not know whe- Concierge, 45, male, Venice, Italy boat. really a museum and in a financial re to find the money. This initiative Architect, 37, male, Venice, Italy crisis, everybody has to help this be- would be more of a detriment to the If they will do that, I will never come autiful country. Italian economy. back here. . . . It’s impossible because It’s abhorrent because it declares the Pensioner, 60, male, Denver, USA Professor, 40,male, Mantova, Italy this is a city and not a museum. death of the city. The sad thing is that Barman, 40, male, Venice, Italy this is already happening in part: The We are in a time of crisis and we I find the idea to pay to go to Veni- current policies consider Venice as a must make sacrifices. However, just ce simply ridiculous, it is a public closed system based only on tourism. as they did with real estate, they city, free, not a museum… people Barman, 41, male, Venice, Italy should differentiate the price betwe- live there. Why doesn’t Monti char- en tourists and student-workers and

Venice’s fountains are ter. One of the nice things about Ve- Is it right to block the flow of the nice is the fact that there are so many fountains, it is a waste of water, but fountains here connected to the tra- one should not go over the top about being privatised: Each of ditional use of the area. it because Venice is an expensive city. Professor, 44, female, Venice, Italy Just limit the discharge of water. them swallows 1 euro. freelance professor, 35, male, Turin, Italy I do not want to pay for public drin- An investor wants to use the revenues generated by this to king water! I pay for it with my taxes! It is really wrong because water is a finance high-water protection measures and thus save Venice Retailer, 31, male, Venice, Italy public commodity and one euro is from the threat of drowning. too much. They should put a tap on I would be outraged and organise a it instead to avoid wasting water. The In my opinion, it is absurd! Because Water is a public commodity and it petition to stop it from happening. It Mose project has already been going water is one of the man’s most usable would be a mistake to privatise it. is public water. for many years trying to protect the assets, the rush for privatisation is pre- Measures for flood protection have Student, 21, female, Venice, Italy city from floods; it is hypocritical valent, so there is no reason, not even already been made while spending a to then ask people for money while that of funding a project for Venice, to lot of money. I would get really, really angry, I speculating on their thirst. pay for a gift that is so noble and pure Pensioner, 78, female, Venice, Italy would try to organise a revolt. It Employee, 38, male, Venice, Italy and so necessary to people. It would be would it bother me. I would not pay, like taxing the air we breathe! It would be absurd because we’re I’d rather die of thirst. Student, 22, male, Venice, Italy talking about a resource such as wa- Architect, 26, male, Venice, Italy

26 Republic of Common Ground PLAYTIME September – November 2012

Crossword

1 what we need to take care of. 7 a housing model trying to end 1 homelessness in New York that 2 conceptual model used to ex- targets individuals and families plain the human communication who are homeless or at risk of process. It claims that mutual becoming homeless. Since it 5 knowledge, mutual beliefs and was founded it has created 3200 mutual assumptions are the es- units of affordable permanent 10 sential basis for communication and transitional housing in the 2 between two people. north-eastern United States and 4 enabled more than 5000 people 3 The largest state in the world. to overcome homelessness.

7 4 bar and grill at 85 Harvard Ave. in 8 organic Garden Supply and Allston, Massachusetts. Education Centre at 559 College Avenue, Palo Alto, California. 3 5 The smallest dove that inhabits the United States. As its name 9 a community meditation centre suggests, the bird spends the ma- dedicated to the practice of 6 jority of its time on the ground mindfulness at 2700 East 26th walking but still has the ability to Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota. fly (Columbina passerina). 10 Topic of the 13th International 11 6 a golf course, “a place for all and Architecture Biennale in Venice. all the game teaches”, at 10300 E Golfers Way, Aurora, Colorado. 11 Name of a newspaper: “Republic 8 of …”

All the same, but different. but same, the All Solution: Solution:

Prisoner’s Dilemma Spot 5 differences

The game was invented by Merrill will be cautioned for a fictitious tri- M. Flood and Melvin Dresher in vial offence, petty theft or illicit gun 1950 and later formulated by Albert ownership, and both of them with W. Tucker (R.Campbell 1958, p 3). come away with just a small fine. If Luce and Raiffa (1957, p 95) describe they both confess, they will be brou- as follows: “Two suspects are arrested ght to justice, but he would then ap- and questioned in separate rooms. ply for less than the maximum sen- The prosecutor is sure that they have tence. If one confesses and the other committed a capital crime, but does denies it, the self-confessed can ex- not have enough evidence to convict pect a light sentence as chief witness, them in court yet. He tells both of while the full force of the law will be the prisoners out that they have two applied to the other. Expressed in pri- alternatives: To confess to the crime son years the strategic problem can of which the police know that they be represented as follows: have committed, or deny it. If they deny it, explains the prosecutor, they Doge’s Palace in Venice, Venice

Prisoner 2

does not confess confesses

1 year for both 10 years for Prisoner 1 does not confess 3 months for Prisoner 2 Prisoner 1 3 months for Prisoner 1 8 years for both confesses 10 years for Prisoner 2

Question: What do the prisoners do?

to how of question the address rather ’d I apply. will

oners, then the policy prescriptions of this metaphor metaphor this of prescriptions policy the then oners, Siebeck, S. 4 und 8. und 4 S. Siebeck,

- pris as individuals at look you as long s A conditions. Allmende. Jenseits von Staat und Markt. Tübingen: Mohr Mohr Tübingen: Markt. und Staat von Jenseits Allmende.

ble of changing things in their somewhat restrictive restrictive somewhat their in things changing of ble Quoted from: Ostrom, Elionor (2012): Die Verfassung der der Verfassung Die (2012): Elionor Ostrom, from: Quoted

Not all users of natural resources are just as incapa as just are resources natural of users all Not Doge’s Palace in Venice, Las Vegas on them by the prosecutor, after all they are in prison. prison. in are they all after prosecutor, the by them on unrelenting tragedies. unrelenting

ything to change the restrictive conditions imposed imposed conditions restrictive the change to ything restrictive game rules, so that they do not end up in in up end not do they that so rules, game restrictive

- an do cannot ‘dilemma’ famous the in prisoners The enhance the capacity of participants to change their their change to participants of capacity the enhance

Answer Drawings of Bianca Kummer and Eva Willenegger

27 Republic of Common Ground PANORAMA September – November 2012

Federal Court Trouvailles Read! Recommended From the Earth`s Counted Venetians … reading for Centre up into Space In the window of the ‘Farmacia Mo- the summer: to the Space relli’, a short walk from the Rialto Bridge, by Campo San Bartolomeo, A Canadian took legal action in 1954 there is a counter that shows the offi- Michel de Certeau against aircraft flying over his land. cial population of the historic centre L`invention du quotidien 1. arts de faire He argued that his property consi- of Venice. On 08/07/12, it was 58,655. folio essais sted of the earth below - to the cen- ISBN 978-2-07-032576-4 tre of the earth - and the air above In 1422 there were 199,000 people it - very far up into space. Aircraft in Venice, in 1509 115,000 including should therefore seek his permission 11,164 courtesans, in 1797, the year before they crossed ‘his’ air. But the of the end of the Republic, about Richard Sennett judge ruled that ownership could 141,000. In 1931, there were 163,559 pe- Together not be claimed over air and outer ople, 145,402 in 1960, 111,550 in 1970, The Rituals, Pleasures and Politics space, rather they belonged to the ca- 95,222 in 1980, 78,165 in 1990, 66,386 of Cooperation tegory of res communis omnium. in 2000. Allan Lane Source: Helfrich, Silke, Kuhlen, Rainer, Sachs, Wolfgang, ISBN 978-0-713-99874-0 Siefkes, Chrisitan (2009): Gemeingüter. Wohlstand Source, for more facts and information: durch Teilen. Berlin: Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, S. 10. www.venessia.com Richard Sennett The Fall of Public Man Penguin Books ISBN 0-14-100757-5 uncommon immigrant Did you know that…?

ted to the subfamily of small Ame- In 1991, the Finnish IT student, Linus rican doves, is located primarily in Torvalds, had the idea of writing a the southern United States, parts of new operating system. Initially Tor- Lars Müller (Hrsg.) Wem gehört das Wasser? Central America, the Caribbean and valds just wanted to upgrade some Lars Müller Publishers the northern part of South America. missing functions for his newly ac- ISBN 978-3-03778-015-2 As the name of this type of dove sug- quired computer, but after months gests, the bird spends most of its time of tinkering, he realized that his sy- The Ornithological Society of Venice walking on the ground, but still has stem could also be useful to others. announced a sensational discovery the ability to fly. This ‘immigrant’ is Linus Torvards presented the system Lucius Burckhardt a few days ago: A ‘common ground therefore unusual, because the ‘Com- on the Internet, asked for feedback, Warum ist Lan- dove’ was discovered in St. Mark’s mon-Ground Dove’ is considered to and asked what features others wan- dschaft schön? Square. This dove, which is attribu- be very sedentary. ted to see in the system. Just two ye- Die Spaziergangswis- ars later Linus Torvards developed a senschaften more common system through over Martin Schmitz Verlag ISBN 978-3-927795-42-6 Come on! a hundred people. Today, the system, which Lucius Burckhardt was christened Linux as a tribute to Wer plant die Planung? its creator, stands alongside Windows Architektur, Politik und and Mac OS as the three most widely Mensch used systems. The success of Linux is Martin Schmitz Verlag ISBN 978-3-927795-39-6 not based on the fact that software is somebody’s own common asset. It is based mainly on the community that Hans Magnus stood behind its development. The Enzensberger open, decentralized, and seemingly Kiosk chaotic manner in which those in- Neue Gedichte volved continued to develop the sy- Suhrkamp stem made it known as a ‘bazaar’ ISBN 3-518-40680-9 model in the history of software. It stands in contrast to the hierarchical Michel Foucault carefully planned ‘Cathedral style’, Les Hétérotopies which has long shaped the deve- Le corps utopique lopment of software.. Éditions Lignes ISBN 978-2-35526-033-9 Source: Helfrich, Silke, Kuhlen, Rainer, Sachs, Wolfgang, Siefkes, Chrisitan (2009): Gemeingüter. Wohlstand durch Teilen. Berlin: Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, S. 19.

Elisabeth Naumann Kiosk Vom Lustpavillon zum kleinen Konsumtempel Do we Jonas Verlag ISBN 3-89445-322-2 have some- Elinor Ostrom Governing the Commons thing in The Evolution of Institutions for Collective Action common? Cambridge University Press ISBN 978-0-521-40599-7