On going exhibition at the Heinz Architectural Center (Carnegie Museum of Art, PGH) is something not to miss. You don't need to be an architect to get the sense of that. This is for two simple reasons. #1 finally an architectural exhibition clear and plane, with no over layered tables (unreadable even for experts in the field) nor under explained sketches by big Masters (typically "that big" that you just have to be happy to see "something" by them). You come, you se, you understand. #2 The projects and the theme are evident and well presented. Moreover, the projects themselves are very good, that's all.
The title "White Cube, Green Maze: New Art Landscapes"suggests a contraposition between the classical Museum (the cube) and the free explosion of Nature (green maze). The projects here presented are providing the "White Cube" service with a complex relation with the "Green Maze". Not an easy task when it comes to valorize the existing landscape and insert your new projects, with all the consequent yes and no by institution, guidelines and community.
The exhibition puts together projects and their pictures by Iwan Baan «one of today's most influential architectural photographers». I was very pleased to see architectural photos WITH people living them. Each shoot is simply spontaneous and both architecture and visitors are presented in a pleasant way: people always busy doing activities, spaces exploited until the very last bench. The dream of every designer: it means 100% success.
The main presented projects presented are:
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ALL THESE PICTURES ARE © IWAN BAAN
A part from the Italian project, all the other are already built and fucntioning. The link activable by clicking on the name directly brings you to the official website.
The projects here presented are all deeply connected with the surrounding landscape and announce a (hopefully) new era for the future architecture - not only of the museums. I am talking about an era where the buildings can respect the context, whatever it is, creating new places with no edges between "in" and "out". Great part of the presented projects are kept in order by the citizens (see the one in Japan) or are so open to Nature that even leaves and whatever can phisically enter them (the botanical garden and parks).
Stiftung Insel Hombroich (Germany) ©Iwan Baan
These freed relation with the landscape allows the visitors to enjoy something more than the "frozen" masterpiece, celebrated on a pedestal. This is the celebration of a place, the making of a place. We cannot allow anymore "event buildings", made of ready effect to impress the masses. We are filling our lands, little by little, and giving meaning to them is more than urgent. This process shouldn't be only restoration (great part of these projects arose on abandoned areas or in need of care) but a true renewal.
A great example of this "making a place" is the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, by F. Gehry. Probably the first popular project that really did that, in a little city that desperately needed a reconfiguration (that happened on the riverfront).
2011 ©Beatrice Spolidoro
And what about architectural pictures? I think that Mr Baan gives us a great lesson of photography, with an amazing ability to create a story though each pic. Each project has its own story -as a building- but Architecture happens only when people are using them - that is another chapter of the story. Photography of architecture should present exactly these stories, valorizing place and people, celebrating civilization.
The Japanese project in Benesse Art Site Nahoshima is my favourite one, I must admit. But I would also recommend to give a look to the project by Tadao Ando on the Island of Awaji-Shima. Tadao Ando worked on the island that was partially destroyed to build the Osaka Airport (a man-made island). Even in this case, the park is maintained by the population of the island.
(all images of Awaji-Shima are 2009 ©Beatrice Spolidoro)
And this is the best conclusion for this post, waiting for the upcoming exhibit on Japan, again at the Carnegie Art Museum, titled "Japan is the key" (March 30th July 21st 2013).
Until then, keep fast and MAKE PLACES!
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