‘Observatory, Air-Port-City, 2008’

The exhibition ‘Psycho Buildings. Artists Take on Architecture’ in the summer of 2008, marks the 40th birthday of the Hayward Gallery. Opened by the Queen in 1968, it today belongs to one of Europe´s largest cultural centres as part of the South Bank Centre on the South Bank of the Thames. Even back then it had more of a high security prison feeling than an art location due to the massive use of concrete – reason enough for curator Ralph Rugoff to get immersed in the Baroque Brutalism’. He invited ten international artists to live and work inside and out of the gallery for an entire summer.

The Argentinean artist Tomas Saraceno is presenting his installation ‘Observatory, Air-Port-City, 2008’ on the central sculpture terrace. With the help of a special construction of the geodesic structure by ZENDOME and a completely transparent membrane, Saraceno has created a gigantic ‘Air-City’. Visitors enter the gigantic transparent space within a space through outside stairs, can then explore its possibilities and indulge in its special ambience. When facing downwards they can see themselves in the huge mirror at the base of the first level.

Saraceno sees ‘Air-Port-City’ as a kind of flying airport, a habitable platform which floats in the air like a cloud and constantly changes its shape. When asked about the Utopian feel of his project he answers: “Utopia exists as long at is created. Was it not considered utopian a hundred years ago for people to be able to travel in planes? And today 500 million people fly every year… The concept of Utopia is constantly changing according to the current Age. With my work I try to explore and interpret contemporary reality by using technological innovation for new social goals.”

Visiting the exhibition in one of the most important locations for contemporary art is worth the trip to London. ‘Psycho Buildings. Artists take on Architecture’ can be seen in the Hayward Gallery until 25th August 2008.

Robin Britta Georg

ZENDOME GmbH
Schwedter Strasse 34a
10435 Berlin
tel +49 (0) 30 473 77 628
fax +49 (0) 30 473 77 629
mail robin.georg@zendome.de

The Berlin based company stands for the future, for overcoming formal boundaries and the aspiration of a perfect experience of space. The focus is on the essential, the original: the organic form of the hemisphere.
ZENDOME stands for highest aesthetic demands with a minimum of material and largest possible interior space. The sustainability of ZENDOME lies in its variability. The simple but solid structure creates possibilities for design and innovative materials.

ZENDOME also means flexibility. Because in form also lies freedom. ZENDOME´S potential for variation is the ideal basis for any kind of event. This is the real challenge.
Synergies are created: Whatever the concept and planning require must be met with innovative material and its use right up to the point of construction. The construction of every ZENDOME is realized in cooperation with highly qualified companies in production, textile manufacturing and metalwork.

ZENDOME – exclusive space for special occasions www.zendome.com

This release was published on openPR.