Saturday, 1 April 2006 | Elif Sungur
DynamiCity: Tactics for a Changing Metropolis
It takes more than buildings to make a city. This fact is demonstrated by a new group of architects from Spain, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands. They feel buildings are too sluggish and cities too fast. They develop new methods to intervene in the city's dynamics. They create scenarios for holding exhibitions as large as the Dutch province of Noord-Brabant, drive around the city with a ten-metre mobile pub or collaborate with local residents to change buildings. As representatives of this movement, the NAI selected Chora (the Netherlands), Actar Arquitectura (Spain), Stalker/ON (Italy) and Atelier Bow-Wow (Japan). Up to and including June 11, their new ideas and strategies will be presented in the exhibition "DynamiCity - Tactics for a Changing Metropolis".
"DynamiCity - Tactics for a Changing Metropolis" assembles four groups of architects who have developed a new approach to and visual language for urban environments. This is the first time they are being recognized as being a part of a distinct movement. These firms offer a novel analysis of the intricacies of urban life. To do so, they have developed methods to help us better understand, perceive, experience and use the city. In the "DynamiCity" exhibition, each firm will present a project from its portfolio and demonstrate, with the use of maps, diagrams, manipulated photos and objects, its approach to investigating, analyzing and mapping out the dynamic metropolis. In one of Gallery 3's rooms, for instance, Atelier Bow-Wow will present a bicycle meant to serve as rapid cargo transport in Tokyo as well as a coffee table or lounge area in the absence of nearby cafes. In the space designed by Stalker/ON, the visitor can watch TV broadcasts the firm has used to change negative local perceptions of the one-kilometre long Corviale building in Rome.
Guerrilla
The firms that offer a view of the modern dynamics of the city using temporary constructions, new maps and other means are not traditional architectural firms. They are not part of a critical school, but have adopted a "guerrilla" approach in which erecting buildings is no longer the sole means of coming to grips with today's metropolis.
For further information, please visit http://www.nai.nl/e/calendar/activities/dyna_e.html
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