Artists Commissioning
Contemporary Architecture
25 Apr - 12 Jul 2015
Artists Comissioning, Contemporary Architecture, exhibition view
photo: Philipp Ottendörfer, © Bielefelder Kunstverein, 2015
photo: Philipp Ottendörfer, © Bielefelder Kunstverein, 2015
How architecture comes about is a complex process influenced by the most diverse parameters. It differs from the fine arts in that engaging with the personal needs and requirements of clients plays a central role. That is an indispensible precondition for any successful collaboration. Even if the clients are, generally, laypersons, the designs are crucially influenced by them in terms of form, materials and colours.
In the light of this considerable influence, the international architecture exhibition at the Bielefelder Kunstverein is being devoted to contemporary buildings commissioned by artists. It is shedding light on the interaction existing at present between architecture and art through a selection of exemplary building projects from Argentina, Germany, England, Italy and Switzerland.
The works being presented take in both functionally-configured buildings and experimental ones. The focus of the exhibition is directed towards the significance of artistic motivation and its effect on the building envisaged. The exhibits range from extensive architectural photographs as well as ground plans, videos and models from the design process as far as sketch books, statements and correspondence. In many cases, works by the artist-clients are integrated into the presentation or are present in the documentation to the buildings.
All of the building projects are linked by the fact that they are not being developed for an investor but are intended for personal use and are thus shaped by very individual requirements. Each commission is preceded by the artistic choice of a particular building concept, the choice of which architectural practice to engage, or, in the case of Olaf Nicolai, even by an architectural competition he organised for himself. This range of different types of building means the exhibition can investigate the extent to which collaboration between artists and architects produces a shift in the relationships of design, construction and function. With that, it poses the question as to the sort of architectural quality capable of arising from this particular collaboration.
Curators: Thomas Thiel, Andreas Wannenmacher
In the light of this considerable influence, the international architecture exhibition at the Bielefelder Kunstverein is being devoted to contemporary buildings commissioned by artists. It is shedding light on the interaction existing at present between architecture and art through a selection of exemplary building projects from Argentina, Germany, England, Italy and Switzerland.
The works being presented take in both functionally-configured buildings and experimental ones. The focus of the exhibition is directed towards the significance of artistic motivation and its effect on the building envisaged. The exhibits range from extensive architectural photographs as well as ground plans, videos and models from the design process as far as sketch books, statements and correspondence. In many cases, works by the artist-clients are integrated into the presentation or are present in the documentation to the buildings.
All of the building projects are linked by the fact that they are not being developed for an investor but are intended for personal use and are thus shaped by very individual requirements. Each commission is preceded by the artistic choice of a particular building concept, the choice of which architectural practice to engage, or, in the case of Olaf Nicolai, even by an architectural competition he organised for himself. This range of different types of building means the exhibition can investigate the extent to which collaboration between artists and architects produces a shift in the relationships of design, construction and function. With that, it poses the question as to the sort of architectural quality capable of arising from this particular collaboration.
Curators: Thomas Thiel, Andreas Wannenmacher