A Fantastic Guide to the Cybersiren, and Everything Else You Need to Know about the Love, Death, Origins, Characteristics and Chronicles of the Neapolitan Port

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59490/footprint.19.1.7866

Abstract

The separation of Napoli from its port – driven by industrialisation, privatisation and urban neglect – has disconnected the city from the sea. Drawing on the local mythological tradition, the Cybersiren is introduced as an advocate for change and a way to reconnect city, port and people. It is presented as a disruptive force in response to rigid systems of authority and control that currently dominate the Neapolitan port. This is presented in two ways. First, through a guideline that explains the characteristics of the Cybersiren as a queer entity, one that is body- and techno-fluid, is ambiguously alien on the one hand yet familiar on the other. The guideline also speaks of the way in which the Cybersiren attacks, shatters and eventually, dies. Second, these characteristics are translated into a fictional story that uses imagination to consider how change could be brought about in order to foster technodiversity and reconfigure relationships. Mythopoesis, or the formation of a myth, is used as a tool in order to explore how the grotesque could be used to challenge what has become stuck.

Author Biographies

Miguel Borst, Delft University of Technology

Miguel Borst is a master’s student in architecture at TU Delft, where he also completed his bachelor’s degree. His work and interests focus on bridging architectural theory and practice, with a particular emphasis on addressing social issues through design.

Qiyu Chen, Delft University of Technology

Qiyu Chen is a master’s student at TU Delft with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Melbourne. He is amazed by Koen, Mees and Miguel’s curly hair. He’s also a good friend of Jean’s.

Koen de Nie, Delft University of Technology

Koen de Nie is a curiosity-driven architecture master’s student at TU Delft, after obtaining his bachelor’s degree there. In his work he emphasises conceptual and experimental explorations and an interest in (architectural) philosophy and theory.

Mees van Rhijn, Delft University of Technology

For his masters in architecture at TU Delft, Mees van Rhijn explores queer space in Istanbul, delving into the sociopolitical role of architecture and examining how it brings people and communities together or drives them apart. He envisions queer space as a means to foster inclusivity and transcend dualities.

Jean Rojanavilaivudh, Delft University of Technology

Jean Rojanavilaivudh received her Bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Edinburgh. She is currently a master’s student at TU Delft, where her work explores material culture, with a particular emphasis on the relationships between humans and non-humans.

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Published

2025-06-20

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 1 (2025): Issue # 36 | Who’s Stupid Now: Architecture, Intelligence and Transdisciplinarity

Section

Review article

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Copyright (c) 2025 Miguel Borst, Qiyu Chen, Koen de Nie, Mees van Rhijn, Jean Rojanavilaivudh

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