The strange pool right next to the old Physics Building of the University of Tartu was built in 1980 and was designed to cool down some kind of mysterious system or mechanism that was never implemented. After all these years this useless concrete structure remains there intact and expectant as an enigmatic dark pit in one of the finest areas of the city of Tartu.

“The Pool Club” is a parasitic intervention that takes advantage of the unique characteristics of this pre-existing structure to generate a temporary public infrastructure in an otherwise abandoned and unreachable urban space.

It creates a fictional scenario: a peculiar place for enjoyment and relaxation by the murky waters of the pool. This odd setting can be interpreted in different ways – some will see it as an utopian idea some as a dystopian vision – but above all it raises awareness and stimulates a speculative discourse about the possible outcomes of this forgotten place of Tartu.

“The Pool Club” was created in the context of the Urban Festival UIT installation program that happened from 18 to 21 August 2021 in Tartu, Estonia. Since it was a four-day parasite installation it uses recycled, reusable and borrowed materials, namely the scaffolding structure that was rented for the duration of the festival and afterwards returned to its normal usage.

This work was awarded with the Creative Mobility Grant for Architecture by iPortunus / Goëthe Institute Belgium. 

Urban Parasites - Installation program for Urban Festival UIT 18-21 August 2021
Curated by: Kadri Lind and Marie Kliiman
Production: Urban Festival UIT
Awarded with the Creative Mobility Grant for Architecture by iPortunus / Goethe Institute Belgium