MASTERS AND MATTERS OF ARCHITECTURE

On Friday, 31 January, 43 new architects received the physical proof that they have completed their education from Aarhus School of Architecture. However, before the new architects received their diplomas, they were first celebrated with speeches. From the stage, the School’s rector, Torben Nielsen, talked about the profession the new architects will be active in and about what it is exactly you can do when you graduate from Aarhus School of Architecture:

‘You have been through an education that has prepared you for building dreams, ideas and solutions for the future. You have been through an education that is the product of a long tradition and dogmas but which is also an education in constant change and development, because architecture should and always has mirrored society for good and evil’, he said.

Assistant professor Carolina Dayer represented the supervisors. In her speech to the new architects she spoke about the character Metis from Greek mythology. Metis represented the combination of knowledge and skills. Carolina Dayer encouraged the young architects to continue to nurture their own Metis by staying curious and seeking out new knowledge.

Time for inspiration

It was, however, not the speeches of our Rector or any of the seasoned architects that received the greatest applause. It was instead the graduation speech of Rune Brink Wriedt. He talked about the mental pressure he experienced during his studies:

At Aarhus School of Architecture there is a myth among both students and teachers: it is a myth about how hard and how much you need to work. Throughout my studies I have advocated a different attitude. You can work hard without being stressed. You can work hard AND go home at five. We want to be artists. And if you want to be an artist, you also have to gather inspiration. If you sit with your nose to the drafting table 24 hours a day, you won’t gather much inspiration. There should be enough time to also live your life, read books, watch movies, visit museums and that kind of thing. This is what makes it possible for an architect to find inspiration,’ said Rune Brink Wriedt.

After the speeches, grants were awarded and this semester’s graduation exhibition was opened. The exhibition is called “MaMA: Masters and Matters of Architecture”. You can see it in Rå Hal, at Godsbanen, from 23 February 2020 – every day from 11 to 17.

Some impressions from the celebration: