BEN VAN BERKEL
AND THE THEATRE OF IMMANENCE
PORTIKUS, FRANKFURT/M., GERMANY
25 NOVEMBER 2007 – 13 JANUARY 2008

»Ben van Berkel & the Theatre of Immanence« is a combined art and architectural exhibition wherein the different parts in the exhibition are synthesised into a complete whole. The exhibition stages a theatre or space of communication: communication between the visitors and the exhibited works, between the virtual and the real. Throughout its period, the architectural installation will serve as a hub for various events including lectures, art performances, hosted talks with invited guests, and DJ-sessions.
The architectural installation, entitled »The Thing«, is designed by Städelschule professor for architecture Ben van Berkel together with professor Johan Bettum and Luis Etchegorry. The Frankfurt-based design-groups MESO Web Scapes and MESO Digital Interiors have developed a projection work that elaborates on the installation by dynamically embellishing it with moving images and thereby activating its surfaces. The projection work, »On Things Of(f) Things On« (see also picture story focus: media), is a case study in augmented architecture. It is an attempt to create a reactive surface of extraordinary spatial complexity.
The installation, »The Thing«, consists of an upper and a lower level. The upper level serves as a form of theatre and the lower level as a more traditional exhibition space. The two levels are separated by a volumetric surface which is perforated by open holes. These holes serve to connect the two areas visually and audibly. On the lower level, the exhibition presents a group of works by artists and architects who have participated in the one-year long experimental project, entitled »the Space of Communication«, a project by the Städelschule Architecture Class (SAC).
www.portikus.de
www.meso.net
www.journal03.staedelschule-onlinegroup.org