Academic, writer and artist Svetlana Boym once said that “ruins make us think of the past that could have been and the future that never took place, tantalizing us with utopian dreams of escaping the irreversibility of time”. 

The Empty Space Summit is a week-long symposium and workshop that takes a close look at the ruins, empty spaces and forgotten parts of Melbourne. 

Led by multidisciplinary artist Jarra Karalinar Steel and mixed-media conceptual artist Dr Clare McCracken, the five-day-long program will dig deep into questions around the history, use, neglect and potential of different kinds of spaces across the city—including car parks, cemeteries, petrol stations, vacant buildings, and more.

As part of this special program, we’re looking for 10 young doers and thinkers aged 18—25 who are passionate about art, architecture, urbanism or public space to submit an expression of interest. 

If this sounds like you, submit your EOI now for the chance to take your place among these 10 for the MPavilion 2021 Empty Spaces Summit.

The 2021 Empty Spaces summit is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies.