#1. BASEMENTS AS SOCIAL MACHINES
by Francisco Martínez (Tampere University)

The first session of the Expanded Ethnography Cycle explores the role of basements in the contemporary world. Drawing on the ethnographic research of anthropologist Francisco Martínez on the use of domestic basements in Estonia, we challenge Batmacumba and Monika Bloch to develop, respectively, a musical and gastronomic proposal inspired by the material, historiographical, and symbolic universe of basements.

Ethnography refers both to an empirical research method used to study a specific social context and to the outcome of such research. As a method, ethnography emerged and became established as the primary research tool of anthropology, involving direct and continuous observation of the phenomena under study. However, it has long transcended anthropology, expanding into other social sciences and contemporary artistic practices.

As an outcome, classical ethnographic research traditionally resulted in written texts or monographs aimed at characterising the societies studied. Yet, this too has undergone significant transformation: beyond text, ethnographic research now materialises in multiple formats, including curatorship, editing, and various artistic practices such as photography, drawing, and performance.

This cycle seeks to explore this expanded dual meaning of ethnography—both as a method and as an outcome. To do so, we welcome research and initiatives from both the scientific and artistic fields that, through ethnography, go beyond conventional formats and formulations to embrace openness and experimentation.

Location: Rua de Santa Catarina, 771, Porto

18:45
Talk by Francisco Martínez
Free entry

20:00
Soundtasting experience by Batmacumba & Monika Bloch
Reserve your spot: lugarcomum771@gmail.com

Organised by:
Maria Manuela Restivo (CRIA-UMinho), Daniel Maciel (ID + IPCA), Carlos Barradas