PRESS RELEASE: Rotterdam, 20 September 2010 SHARED SPACE # 3: Design by Chris Kabel October 2010 – October 2011 Opening: Saturday 9 October at 11:00 hrs, Witte de Withstraat 50 (1st floor), Rotterdam Witte de With and TENT present Shared Space #3, a spatial intervention by designer Chris Kabel (1975, Haarlem, NL) for the communal area of both institutions. For this project, Kabel proposed a design that transforms Shared Space into a public meeting place, based on the idea of a village square. ‘When Witte de With and TENT invited me to design a new project for Shared Space #3, the name of the space soon gave me the idea of a circular bench that would divide the space into an anonymous public section, and an intimate shared space. The wooden bench is made from one 10 meter‐long solid beam. This beam has been sawn into pieces in a particular manner, whereby it curls up into one big circle, within which the grain of the wood runs continuously. The visitor to Shared Space #3 can find intimacy in the space by taking a seat on the inside of the circular bench. One can also choose for a little more separation by sitting on the outside. In addition, the visitor can leave their comments using a pen tied to the wall with a piece of string. In time, this will result in a circle of thoughts. In Shared Space #3 one can also spend time gaining knowledge; books and publications of Witte de With and TENT are attached to the wall magnetically.’ (Chris Kabel on his design, Rotterdam 2010) Collaborative project Shared Space In 2007 the art institutions Witte de With and TENT initiated the collaborative project Shared Space: a long‐term design presentation in the communal area of the building on the Witte de Withstraat in Rotterdam. A talented Rotterdam‐based designer is commissioned to offer their interpretation of a shared space of the two institutions. This area is situated on the first floor of the building, between the two art institutions. Shared Space is not a regular part of the programme of either institution, nor is it an exhibition. It is a spatial design that can be used by both staff and visitors. ‘Sharing’ is not only a visual experience, it is also made tangible. After Bertjan Pot (i.c.w. Frank Bruggeman) and Sebastiaan Straatsma, Chris Kabel designed the third edition of Shared Space. Chris Kabel Chris Kabel belongs to the new generation of major Dutch designers. His work is increasingly gaining national and international recognition and has already won several design prizes. Studio Chris Kabel has its seat in Rotterdam. The designer graduated from the Design Academy, Eindhoven in 2001. Sticky Lamp, Flames candelabra and the Shady Lace parasol are some of Kabel’s well‐known designs. His products are represented in many important national and international collections, including: Museum of Modern Art, New York; Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam; Fondation Cartier pour l’art Contemporain, Paris; Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam and the Hangaram Design Museum, Seoul. The designer teaches at the Ecole cantonale d’art de Lausanne and has won the Red Dot Design Award 2006, Wallpaper Award 2007 and Materiaalfondsprijs 2009 among others. For more information: www.chriskabel.com Editorial note, not for publication: For more information, please contact the communication department TENT: com.tent@cbk.rotterdam.nl or +31 (0) 10 413 54 98.
Background information Witte de With, Center for Contemporary Art Witte de With was established in 1990 with the mission of introducing contemporary art and theory to the context of Rotterdam and the Netherlands as a whole. The institution is an alternative to both the classic museum for modern art and to artists’ initiatives. Witte de With is devoted to making the latest developments in contemporary art visible, by means of exhibitions, lectures, symposia, publications and education programmes. Furthermore, the institution has evolved and now also commissions and produces new works of art. An extensive and engaged network has developed around Witte de With, consisting of local, national and international people and organizations who follow the institution’s activities and with whom we actively collaborate. Address Open Entrance fee
Witte de With, Center for Contemporary Art, Witte de Withstraat 50, 3012 BR Rotterdam, www.wdw.nl Tuesday to Sunday from 11.00 – 18.00 hrs € 5,‐ for Witte de With, € 7,‐ combi‐ticket for Witte de With and TENT 50% discount: Youths from 12 to 18 years of age, students, CJP, 65+, groups of 10 people or more. Free: children up to 12 years of age, Rotterdampas, Museumkaart.
Background information TENT Rotterdam Since 1999, TENT has been drawing attention to and presenting significant developments and image‐defining artists in the visual arts in Rotterdam. The 1000 m2 exhibition space is located in a characteristic former school building in the cultural Witte de Withstraat. In dynamic solo and group exhibitions, TENT presents the many‐sided manifestations of contemporary art in Rotterdam. With a programme of exhibitions, but also lectures, projects, discussions and workshops, TENT already reaches a growing and predominantly young public. TENT is part of Stichting Centrum Beeldende Kunst Rotterdam. Address TENT Witte de Withstraat 50, 3012 BR Rotterdam, Netherlands www.tentrotterdam.nl Open Tuesday to Sunday from 11.00 – 18.00 hrs Entrance fee € 4,‐ for TENT € 7,‐ combi‐ticket for TENT and Witte de With 50% discount: Youths from 12 to 18 years of age, students, CJP, 65+, groups of 10 people or more. Free: children up to 12 years of age, Rotterdampas, Museumkaart.