The idea of Utopia springs from a natural desire of transformation, of evolution pertaining to humankind and, therefore, one can find expressions of “utopian” desire in every civilization. Having to do explicitly with human condition, Utopia accompanies closely cultural evolution, almost as a symbiotic organism. Maintaining its roots deeply attached to ancient myths, utopian expression followed, and sometimes preceded cultural transformation.
Through the next almost five hundred pages (virtually one for each year since Utopia was published) researchers in the fields of Architecture and Urbanism, Arts and Humanities present the results of their studies within the different areas of expertise under the umbrella of Utopia. Past, present, and future come together in one book. They do not offer their readers any golden key. Many questions will remain unanswered, as they should.
The texts presented in Proportion Harmonies and Identities - UTOPIA(S) WORLDS AND FRONTIERS OF THE IMAGINARY were compiled with the intent to establish a platform for the presentation, interaction and dissemination of researches. It aims also to foster the awareness and discussion on the topics of Harmony and Proportion with a focus on different utopian visions and readings relevant to the arts, sciences and humanities and their importance and benefits for the community at large.
Maria do Rosário Monteiro is Professor of comparative literature at the New University of Lisbon. She graduated in modern languages and Literatures in the University of Lisbon (1983), and completed a Master in comparative literary studies at the Universidade Nova de Lisboa in 1987 and a PhD in literary sciences, specialty of Comparative Literature, at Universidade Nova de Lisboa in 1997.
Maria currently gives lectures on comparative culture and literature at graduate and postgraduate levels. She is a senior researcher at CHAM, the author of the first Portuguese academic book on Tolkien, editor of several books and author of several published essays on Utopia.
Mário S. Ming Kong has a degree in architecture at the Faculdade de Arquitectura da Universidade de Lisboa (FAUTL) and a PhD in architecture in the field of drawing and visual communication at Escuela Superior Technical Architecture Barcelona - Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña (UPC-ETSAB). He taught at Lusophona University (ULHT) at the department of urban planning and at the Independent University at the department of architecture. In 2000 he was the coordinator of the first year of the course in Urban Planning ULHT.
Mario is currently a PhD Professor at FAUTL, Lecturer in ESELx and Visiting Professor at the Master course in arts at ESBAL. He has participated in scientific research studies and consulting work for outside entities and contributed to several publications and training courses in order to disseminate the results of his research activities at national and international universities. His main research areas are: harmony and proportion in representation between West and East and its application to sustainable architecture, in particular by applying concepts of origami and Kirigami to materials such as paper and bamboo.
