Geometry of Light, German Pavilion, Barcelona, Feb 10-17, 2019
Geometry of Light was an art intervention by Luftwerk in collaboration with Iker Gil at the German Pavilion in Barcelona. Organized by The Fundació Mies van der Rohe and MAS Context, presented as part of the Fundació Mies van der Rohe’s ongoing program of artistic interventions, and corresponding with the LLUM BCN Festival and the Santa Eulàlia Festival.
Geometry of Light, was an immersive intervention that envisioned a contemporary lens for this important masterpiece, highlighting and expanding upon the architectural and material features of the structure. Using the 1929 German Pavilion, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich, as the foundation of the work, Geometry of Light created a new interpretive layer extending from the primary elements of the architecture, including the gridded plan, vertical planes, and materiality. In concert with the projected light, a custom-designed sound piece by Oriol Tarragó is integral to this experience.
By emphasizing the open floor plan and material selections, Geometry of Light heightened the illusion of physical and material boundaries. Focused on the gridded plan of the pavilion, a grid of light animated the architecture to accentuate the flowing space as it permeates through the interior and exterior. The animated lines of light were choreographed to trace, highlight, and alter the composition of the pavilion.
The first of two interventions celebrating Mies van der Rohe, Geometry of Light was also presented at the iconic Farnsworth House, in Plano, Illinois, October 11-13, 2019, coinciding with the third edition of the Chicago Architecture Biennial.
Press
designboom
- In collaboration with
- Iker Gil
- Programming
- Andy Kauff
- Sound
- Oriol Tarrago
- Photography
- Kate Joyce
- Video documentation
- Spirit of Space
- Identity Design
- Normal
- Support
- Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts
- Support and Technology
- Bosch Power Tools - North America
- Individual support
- Chuck Thurow and many others
ABOUT FUNDACIÓ MIES VAN DER ROHE
Fundació Mies van der Rohe was created in 1983 by the City Council of Barcelona with the initial goal of rebuilding the German Pavilion designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886-1969) with Lilly Reich (1885-1947), for the International Exhibition of Barcelona in 1929.
In addition to conserving and disseminating knowledge about the Pavilion, Fundació Mies van der Rohe promotes debate and awareness on issues related to contemporary architecture and urbanism, organizing prizes, congresses, conferences, exhibitions, workshops and interventions. Among these activities is the organization of the program of events that includes dance, cinema, music, art and collaboration with other institutions in the city.
The program of artistic interventions with architects and artists began in 1999 with Jeff Wall and continued with Enric Miralles, Dennis Adams, Antoni Muntadas, Iñaki Bonillas, SANAA Kazuyo Sejima + Ryue Nishizawa, Ai Weiwei, Andrés Jaque, Anna & Eugeni Bach, and Domènec among others. They all talk with the Pavilion and generate debates about art, architecture and culture that are collected in publications.
ABOUT MAS CONTEXT
MAS Context is a not for profit organization based in Chicago that addresses issues that affect the urban context. The organization develops its work through publications, public events, and art installations. Each publication delivers a comprehensive view of a single topic through the active participation of people from different fields and different perspectives who, together, instigate the debate.
Since its foundation in 2009, MAS Context has published 31 issues collaborating with over 500 contributors and has organized dozens of public events in Chicago and other cities.