Montevideo

FLUID ARCHITECTURES

Opening 29 May 18:30 hrs
From 30-05-2009 until 16-08-2009

Annja Krautgasser, Walter Langelaar, Jan Robert Leegte, Dirk Lüsebrink/Joachim Sauter, Mader Stublic Wiermann, Michael Najjar, Mark Napier, Marnix de Nijs, Stanza, Pablo Valbuena

In the movie Metropolis from 1926, director Fritz Lang created the vision of a futuristic 21st century mega-city. Now that we have crossed the threshold of this century our reality makes that vision seem strangely old-fashioned as new sets of factors unconsidered by Lang move to shape the future of our urban spaces. It is now ubiquitous computer networks, information delivery in real time and new display technologies which are the key elements transforming the face of our urban living spaces. Through them a space is taking shape whose manifestations merge the virtual and the physical. Essayist Florian Rötzer talks in this context of a “digital urbanism” whose salient features are „dispersal, decentralisation, valorisation of interiority, globalisation, individuality and mobility“.
These factors shape a networked society and a 'space of flows” which generate new dimensions for imagination and action no longer concurrent with the old geographies and topographies.
The exhibition Fluid Architectures gathers spaces of flow and immateriality created by artists in response to these contemporary notions the city. These fictional spaces made of light, moving image, and other media extend the idea of physical architecture to the construction of dynamic and seemingly infinite spaces enabling a sensory experience. The works rethink the classic standards of spatial construction and topography. Rather they introduce the new concept of 'performative architecture' and thus propose an imaginary urban landscape for the 21st century. The Fluid Architectures programme comprises a gallery exhibition, lectures and workshops. The exhibition is curated by Susanne Jaschko.

Artists and works
For Fluid Architectures new site-specific works have created by Walter Langelaar, Jan Robert Leegte and Pablo Valbuena.

Annja Krautgasser (A), Dashed II, installation, 2008
Walter Langelaar (NL), site-specific installation, 2009
Jan Robert Leegte (NL), Ornament (Amsterdam), site-specific installation, 2009
Dirk Lüsebrink/Joachim Sauter (D), Invisible Shapes of Things Past, film-based sculptures and prints, 1995 – now
Mader Stublic Wiermann (D), folded space and twists and turns, documentation of video installation, 2008
Michael Najjar (DE), netropolis, video projection, 2005
Mark Napier (US), The Cyclops Series, prints and projection, 2006
Marnix de Nijs (NL), Exploded Views – Remapping Firenze, interactive installation, 2008 (produced within NIMk’s artist in residence programme)
Stanza (UK), Urban Generation, live generated video projection, 2006
Pablo Valbuena (ES), site-specific installation, 2009

Programme
Opening
May 29
From 18.30 hrs
18:30 hrs: Introduction into Fluid Architectures by exhibition curator Susanne Jaschko
19:00 hrs Lecture Digital urbanism - historical and and future utopias of the megacity
by exhibiting artist Michael Najjar

Lecture by Jan Robert Leegte
June 10
19:00 hrs
(in Dutch)

Workshop by Walter Langelaar
June 13
11:00 – 19:00 hrs
(in Dutch)

Opening hours: Tue t/m Sat and each first Sunday of the monthe Sunday June 7, July 5, August 2 1300 – 1800 hrs. Entrance 4,50 (2,50 with discount). Museumkaart free

Thanks to:
BeamSystems, Spanish Embassy and Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y de Cooperacion