Sensitive Geometries Flyer [EN]

The Construction of five Staircases and four architectural Machines An exhibition by ‘Patalab Architecture and Jan Piotrowicz

Secondhome projects

Sensitive Geometries “Sensitive Geometries” unites drawings, models, photographs and machines that discuss the production of architectural space and explore its dynamic, subjective and phenomenological qualities. Supposedly settled ways of seeing and thinking are questioned. This is done by setting various representation techniques against one other, and creating space as a product of complex transformation processes.

The exhibition shows two fields of work: five staircases and four architectural machines. Both fields of works are displayed in an arrangement that softens the boundaries between the two. The machines, their construction plans and images are mixed within the models, drawings and photos of the staircases.

Thus, the gallery space itself becomes a projection surface for sensitive geometries that the visitors are invited to explore and experience.

Exhibition opening: 06 March 2015, 7pm at Reinickendorferstraße 66, 13347 Berlin-Wedding Exhibition duration: 07–21 March 2015 Opening times: Thursdays and Saturdays 4pm–6pm and by arrangement (Mobile: +49 176 3802 9579) Contact: Miray Seramet Artistic director for secondhome projects Mobile: +49 176 3802 9579 Email: mail@miraseramet.de Web: oursecondhome.de/projects

The staircases have been designed by ‘Patalab Architecture and were realised over the period of the last six years at various locations in London.

Manchester-based photographer Jan Piotrowicz has documented these in detailed images.

His photographs are interpretations, using the medium of photography to capture the staircases and recompose the space defined by them.

His images create a dialogue with the models and drawings produced by the architects. They are, by means of fragmentation, superposition and multi point perspective views, reconstructions that reveal the temporal component in the perception of space.

The four architectural machines, conceived and built by Uwe Schmidt-Hess, the founder of ‘Patalab Architecture, form a mechanical garden in which space becomes dynamic and trans­formational, where space can blossom and wither. The rational and functional character of the machines dissolves and subjective imaginative spaces emerge. These are traced in drawings and photos and are therefore once more transformed.

17,5

14

31,5

17,5

28,0

21,0

24,5

The Poet‘s Garden

,0

,0 35

.5

14,0

10,5

7,0

10

38,5

0,0

3,5

7,0

42 3,5

0,0

45,5

sec

,0 70

49 ,5 52

56

Vagrant Gaps

Writing with and into wax. The mechanical conditions inside the machine are changing over time. Wax slips into the gaps and builds up missing joints. New fluctuating territories emerge, opening and closing spaces in and outside the machine.

Into the wax, the rhythms of the mechanics are recorded.

Space as calibration medium: opening and closing gap between the glass plates during the machine‘s routine.

Time | Rotation 0 sec | 0 58,0 40,5

59,5

38,5

63,0

35,0

66,5

o,o sec

28,0

31,5

3,5

24,5

5,5 23,0

3,5 sec | 18

closed gap moment of opening

7,0 | 36

10,5 | 54 open gap

14,0 | 72

moment of closing moment of opening

17,5 | 90

21,0 | 108

moment of closing 24,5 | 126

28,0 | 144

31,5 | 162

35,0 | 180

38,5 | 198

42,0 | 216

‘Patalab Architecture is a London based award-winning architectural practice, founded by Uwe Schmidt-Hess in 2008. It conceives and realises contemporary high quality spaces and places. Inspired by ‘Pataphysics, a philosophy and artistic movement dedicated to exploring the imaginary, ‘Patalab operates as an innovative practice and delivers intelligent and memorable design solutions.

Previous exhibitions of the work of ‘Patalab include ‘PataSpaces at Tenderpixel Gallery in London in 2012 and Spatial Episodes at Architektur Forum Ostschweiz in St Gallen in 2010 ‘Patalab Architecture 15 Garrett Street London EC1Y 0TY Tel: +44 20 7253 2036 Email: info@patalab.com Web: patalab.com facebook.com/Patalab.Architecture

Jan Piotrowicz lives in Manchester, UK. In 2014 he graduated from Lancaster University where he studied Photographic Media. Prior to this Piotrowicz studied Town Planning at University of Warsaw. His work explores the atmosphere of place and impact of architecture and urban planning on social urban life. It varies from narrative projects to aesthetically engaged inquests into architectural forms.

Email: jjpiotrowicz@gmail.com Web: janpiotrowicz.com

patalab.com

RCHITE

U