The PALIMPSEST consortium gathered in Pilsen on 29th and 30th January 2026 for an intensive in-person meeting hosted by the Sutnar Faculty of Design and Art at the University of West Bohemia (SUTNARKA). The event brought together partners from across Europe for a rich programme combining collaborative work sessions, artistic practice, research exchange, and site-specific exploration.
Participants were welcomed into the faculty’s spaces through guided tours of SUTNARKA, including its exhibitions, laboratories, studios, and surrounding context. The tours were designed by M. Kohoutková, Jana Potiron, Kristina Zejkanova and Jan Popelka.
The programme opened with contributions from the university leadership and international office, setting the scene for an interdisciplinary exchange rooted in design, art, architecture, and sustainability.
A live performance with aerial acrobatics by Eva Šindelářová from the Intermedia studio added an artistic perspective to the shared experience.
A strong focus was placed on sustainable practices across design, architecture, and art, led by members of the University of West Bohemia. This was complemented by a ceramic lecture and hands-on workshop with material experimentation, guided by ceramist and researcher Markéta Kalivodová. These sessions allowed participants to engage directly with material processes and artistic research methods.
Beyond the university, the programme included Informal moments in the snow and shared meals, which further supported dialogue and connection among partners.
The meeting also featured structured working sessions coordinated by Politecnico di Milano, providing space for in-depth consortium discussions and project development. These sessions enabled partners to reflect collectively on progress, align methodologies, and strengthen collaboration across disciplines and institutions.
The gathering concluded with cultural activities in the city, including a guided tour of the Pilsner Urquell brewery, reinforcing the link among local context, cultural heritage, and collective experience.
As the final face-to-face meeting of the consortium, the Pilsen gathering marked an important milestone for PALIMPSEST. It strengthened the project network through shared learning, hands-on practice, and meaningful exchange at the intersection of research, art, design, and place.
Published on: February 12, 2026
