Multiplier Event: Aesthico Conference

The Second Multiplier Event, the Aesthetics and Ecology Conference, took place in Cluj-Napoca over three days in January 2025, organised and hosting by Technical University Cluj-Napoca. The multiplier event presented the work of the project, outlining key themes, the project’s progress, and its key outputs. As Aesthico foregrounded aesthetics of care as an engaged practice, the multiplier too engaged with the ideas and practice of aesthetics of care within the wider community and stakeholders of of Cluj-Napoca

Day 1: Conference

The first day overviewed the work of the project with an opening speech by project coordinator Conor McGarrigle (TU Dublin) and a keynote address on the history of aesthetics by Sabine Breitsameter (h_da). The work of each Project Result was presented by the leaders of each work package; Connell
Vaughan (TU Dublin), Yoana Pavlova (TUS) , Marinos Koutsomichalis (CUT), and Ioana Moldovan (UTCN). The focus of the presentations was on interdisciplinary approaches to aesthetics of care in technology, art, architecture and culture and the findings and methods of the project followed by Q&A and discussion.

The project showcase highlighted outputs from the project and engaging external participants: case studies, interactive posters, and art works. The day concluded with a panel discussion, Aesthetic of Care: Challenges and Future Directions.

The Multiplier engaged with ideas and practice of aesthetics of care and the wider community and stakeholders of of Cluj-Napoca, providing points of cultural contact between the traveling participants and local communities.

Day 2: Roșia Montană

The second day orientated around a field trip to the historic Roman mining site of Roșia Montană, nominated for UNESCO World Heritage site status, with a visit to the Museum of Mining and the Roman Galleries and tour of the village. The practice of an Aesthetics of Care was the focus of discussions with architect Ioana Suceava representing the prize winning activist community-led restoration of Roșia Montană’s historic buildings.

Day 3: Field Trips

The third day of the multiplier featured a guided tour of Bonțida Bánffy Castle with Zsuzsanna Eke and of Răscruci Castle with architect László Tulogdy. discussion of the different contexts of the practice of restoration, preservation, heritage and living culture of these historic sites in the light of aesthetics of care followed. The closing plenary session in Răscruci Castle summarizing key takeaways and outcomes from the meetings with open discussion on lessons learned, challenges faced, outcomes achieved, and future steps