Event: Toward ANARCHITECTURE: A Conversation between Architects and Artists
Location: Center for Architecture, 11.19.09
Speakers: Joseph Grima — Director, Storefront for Art & Architecture; Alanna Heiss — Founder, Art Radio WPS1.org; Katrin Sigurdardottir — Artist; Didier Faustino — Architect; Chris Perry — Partner, Servo; James Angus — Artist
Moderator: Farnaz Mansuri, Assoc. AIA — Principal, De-Spec
Organizer: AIANY New Practices Committee
The synthesis of creative disciplines often results in an experience that defies tradition and probes curiosity. A growing collective of artists and architects are re-examining their mediums to invent a new hybrid discipline.
The Storefront for Art & Architecture continues to embody the spirit of cross-disciplinary intervention under the leadership of Joseph Grima, who views architecture as “a channel for political agency, a metaphor for society, and a platform for intervention.” This open ended view of architecture is literally present in Storefront’s façade — designed by Vito Acconci and Steven Holl in 1993 — which opens the length of the gallery to the street, blurring the boundary between indoor and outdoor space. Alanna Heiss, director of P.S.1 from 1976-2008, provided insight into the days of Gordon Matta-Clark, who parlayed his architectural background into art. Contemporary artist, Katrin Sigurdardottir continues to be inspired by Matta-Clark in her work, which resides between perceived and embodied space, encouraging a new participatory relationship between viewers and art.
Matta-Clark’s innovative perception of traditional disciplines has engendered a community of anarchitects who continue to mold and translate the creative box within which they design. The presence of public art in architecture is recognized as a vital complement to many contemporary buildings. Similarly, many artists are exploring 3-dimensional multi-media works that focus on creating objects and space rather than the interpretation of them.