16 May 2013

Bielefelder Kunstverein: The New Restraint

THE NEW RESTRAINT
ARCHITECTURE IN STRAITENED CIRCUMSTANCES
MAY 04 – JULY 21, 2013

With contributions by: a.gor.a architects / Brandlhuber+ in collaboration with , Cristina Garriga, Constanze Haas, Erica Overmeer and Christopher Roth / ELEMENTAL / Anupama Kundoo / TYIN tegnestue Architects

At the very least since the financial crisis, architecture has been undergoing a global change. Even though architectural prestige projects are being planned and realised around the world, more sustainable architectural concepts have nevertheless gained in significance for economic and social, as well as ecological reasons. Against the background of diminishing resources, migratory movements and permanent crisis, the production conditions for architecture have fundamentally altered. Economic as well as ecological aspects, but also ongoing deficiencies in structurally weak areas, are confronting architecture with new challenges.
In this frame the exhibition, »The New Restraint« is presenting, in the form of room-filling installations, five trend-setting initiatives, which see a social and cultural commitment in architecture. On the basis of videos, photography, plans, material samples, as well as a 1:1 model, forms of architecture are being shown, which employ simple means to react creatively to the shift outlined above. The exhibition is presenting projects distinguished by a high degree of independent initiative, often coming about in cooperation with a local populace as well as using locally-available building materials. Thus, at the core of the exhibition, there stands an art of building, which can offer a long-term contribution to improving the living situations in question with intelligent design and innovative strategies. Circumstances may be difficult, yet, all round the world, buildings for communities are going up that display a quite specific quality of architecture.
The Bielefelder Kunstverein is taking a range of emphases, on the production process, the cultural context, local infrastructures and materials, to present the examples of architectural bureaux that are responding to the changed conditions of production with vision, ambitious design and commitment. In this way, an art of building takes centre stage, which contributes to improving people's respective life-situations through intelligent design and innovative strategies. Despite in part difficult contexts, buildings intended for communities and displaying specific architectural quality are going up all around the world. With different focuses on the cultural context, local infrastructure and the production process, the Bielefelder Kunstverein presents practices that are facing up to the changed circumstances of production with vision, ambitious design and dedication.

Curators: Anna Jehle, Thomas Thiel and Andreas Wannenmacher

PUBLICATION
A brochure accompanying the exhibition has been published (32 pages, German/English).

PRESS
For press requests, please send us an email via kontakt@bielefelder-kunstverein.de or call us on +49-521-17 88 06. High-resolution press images can be downloaded from our website: www.bielefelder-kunstverein.de

EXHIBITION IN COLLABORATION WITH
Bund Deutscher Architekten (BDA)

EXHIBITION SUPPORT
carpet concept, forbo Flooring Systems, Kortemeier Brokmann Landschaftsarchitekten, Quakernack, Schüco, Vauth-Sagel, Goldbeckstiftung

CORPORATE PARTNER
BVA Bielefelder Verlag, Dr. Wolff Arzneimittel, Hörmann KG, JAB Josef Anstoetz KG, Loewe Logistics & Care, Sparkasse Bielefeld, TICK Internationale Möbel GmbH, Union Knopf, Architekten Wannemacher + Möller GmbH