Art or Architecture: A way of Making has opened at THE ARCHITECT pop up gallery at the Cape Institute of Architecture. It presents an extraordinary collection of architectural models produced by Noero Architects, headed by the world acclaimed architect, Jo Noero.
The models are beautifully, hand-crafted wooden objects, which produced for the exhibition and as a means of re-engaging with Noero’s design ethos, operate as sculptures akin to those considered ‘art’ – hence the title.
Noero’s architecture has often made in-roads into art spaces: with his work being exhibited at MoMA in New York, the Venice Biennale, the Sao Paolo Biennale, the Singapore Biennale and the National Gallery of Art in Cape Town.
Expanding architecture beyond conventional limits
This has not been unexpected given the numerous awards and accolades he has enjoyed throughout his career, which include the Lubetkin Prize from the Royal Institute of British Architects in 2006, the Ralph Erskine Prize from the Nordic Association of Architects in 1993, and the GoldMedal for Architecture from the South African Institute of Architects in 2010. In 1994 Noero was commended with an Honorary Doctorate of Science from Brighton University.
Exhibiting his work, models, drawings, in gallery contexts has allowed the public and those outside of the architecture community to appreciate and understand the value of his work and architecture at large. In the case of this exhibition, it has also challenged Noero to expand architecture beyond conventional limits and explore the blurred boundaries between art and architecture.
Art critic and curator Mary Corrigall opened the exhibition and also wrote about model-making in the special brochure that has been published upon the occasion of this land-mark exhibition.
THE ARCHITECT pop up gallery at the Cape Institute for Architecture is an architectural gallery and social house focused on stimulating discussion about the future of the built environment.
Monthly exhibitions on architecture and urban design are aimed at redressing the spacial legacy of the past and working towards creating a more inclusive city.
What: Art or Architecture: A way of Making
Where: THE ARCHITECT pop up gallery at Cape Institute of Architecture
When: Until end of March, 2017
Noero Architects: 021 424 5508, info@noeroarchitects.com or Andre Voster andre@architectgallery.co.za
WS
