Following an invitation from the Hayward, the artists of the Artscape Project put together an exhibition of video paintings to show in the world-renowned gallery.
The exhibition ran in conjunction with a debate which presented the visions of those who see a positive future in the combination of art and architecture. Radical new urban landscapes were proposed which seek to avoid the alienation and isolation of contemporary living.
The Artscape Project explores the idea of openness in a ‘closed’ urban world. Grand scale projections of natural imagery transformed the iconically urban concrete walls of the Hayward into simmering naturalistic expanses. The installations demonstrated the unique power of the video painting: filmed with a stationary camera in real time, with no subsequent editing, the video paintings bring the openness and movement of the natural world into the closed urban spaces we inhabit.
Zaha Hadid and Bill Dunster propose radically different architectural solutions: one aesthetic and organic, the other ecological. Tomas Saraceno dreams of a future of airbourne cities amongst the clouds.
The sell-out debate at 7pm saw the exhibitors explain their visions.
Chaired by Jay Merrick, architecture critic of The Independent, radical - and radically different – ideas for the future city were expounded.
Dunster demonstrated his commitment to an architectural agenda defined by ecological concerns, exploring how a ‘new urgency in our symbiotic relationship with the natural world is producing new technical solutions, new cultural priorities, and possibly a new aesthetic.’ With his airbourne city vision Saraceno explored his desire to create an aerogel realm in the clouds - the ‘first international city’ with the power to ‘challenge today’s political, social, cultural and military restrictions.’ Philosopher and founding artist of the Artscape Project, Lawson, explored the philosophy of openness – how bringing the openness of nature into cities can transform architectural spaces and redefine our urban experiences and existences. Through his video works he demonstrates how we ‘can use technology to bring the movement of nature into the city… to change the space we inhabit and make it more emotionally satisfying.’
Zaha Hadid was unfortunately unable to attend the evening’s debate.
A huge thank you to the exhibitors and speakers: Bill Dunster, Tomas Saraceno, Hilary Lawson, Jay Merrick and Zaha Hadid.
If you are interested in hearing more about the event please get in touch with Klina Jordan on 020 7837 3000 or email klina@galleryopen.co.uk
Guardian article: http://environment.guardian.co.uk
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