Cultures of Assembly: Imperfect Assemblies

Across Europe and beyond, democratic institutions are facing unprecedented strain. Trust in governance is eroding, polarization is rising, and collective action is increasingly fragmented. Yet these crises are not only political—they are also spatial.

The way our cities are designed, built, and governed often excludes many of the people who inhabit them. Public spaces that should foster civic exchange now feel privatized, overregulated, or surveilled, and even symbolic sites of democracy—parliaments, town halls, or other spaces of representation—have become distant from citizens and everyday life. But what should the architecture of democracy look like today? What infrastructures and institutions can support not only civic participation but also care, solidarity, and belonging?

Embedded in the spirit of municipalism—the idea that real political power should live at a local scale—the exhibition Imperfect Assemblies brings the first experiences and learnings from Esch-sur-Alzette to Copenhagen, where it is presented both as a spatial and social device.

Working closely with Vesterbro’s civic associations, the exhibition taps into Denmark’s tradition of associational democracy, positioning Cultures of Assembly and Copenhagen Architecture Forum as bridges between formal institutions and local participatory practices. Its three interlocking systems—Assembly Carpet, Fabric of Demands, and Friction Library—invite civic tension, foster discussion, and support collective care through concrete proposals emerging from these conversations.

Event program makes the exhibition come alive
Coupled with the installation, a discursive program brings together international guest researchers and local actors to develop policy proposals that promote more heterogeneous approaches to urban governance while imagining new narratives that engage the public in meaningful ways.

During the exhibition period, visitors can look forward to a host of events with leading international figures. Among others, audiences can look forward to events with head curators Markus Miessen and César Reyes Nájera of Cultures of Assembly; internationally renowned urban sociologist and writer Richard Sennett; Torange Khonsari co-founder and director of public works and former consultant for the Mayor of London; architect and co-founder of XML David Mulder van der Vegt, who has done extensive work on the architecture of parliaments; Janet Sanz, Vice President of Climate Action and Strategic Planning of the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona; Malmö City Architect Finn Williams; and Gustav Eden, official Skateboarding Coordinator for the City of Malmö. For a full program of events see CAFx.dk

Through its spatial intervention and sequence of public events unfolding over three months, the project invites local actors, policymakers, and citizens to turn toward the terrain of informality and imperfect alliances, approaching democracy not as an episodic electoral event but as a continuous, embodied, and spatial practice—one that must be assembled, hosted, negotiated, and cared for in everyday life, beyond the supposedly untouchable limits of representative democracy.

About the curators
Cultures of Assembly is an interdisciplinary initiative by the Chair of the City of Esch and is currently developing a crossover format that consists of a digital platform alongside a pop-up neighbourhood agency in the centre of Esch-sur-Alzette. The initiative promotes public negotiation through unconventional formats and research, aiming to generate spaces of encounter.

Imperfect Assemblies is curated by Markus Miessen and César Reyes Nájera. Curatorial & production assistance: Michaela Prunotto and Gustav Nielsen. Hours: Monday–Thursday 10am–3:30pm.

Events
Exhibition Opening: Imperfect Assemblies: February 19, 4:30–7pm
Talks: Markus Miessen, César Reyes Nájera, Gustav Eden, Victoria Percovich Gutierrez, Åsa Bjerndell, Karl Landin.

Co-creating Infrastructures for the Commons: May 27, 2–8pm
Workshop, talks and roundtable. With Torange Khonsari, Gustav Nielsen, Rasmus Maabjerg & Morten Roslev.

Legitimising the Commons Beyond Policy and Law: 6–8pm
Talks by Richard Sennett, Markus Miessen, César Reyes Nájera, Janet Sanz & Finn Williams.