AN ARCHICOMIC ON ARCHITECTURAL EVOLUTION
BIG Bjarke Ingels Group
Date: 21 January - 19 March 2011
Location: Architekturgalerie München, Türkenstrasse 30, Munich, Germany
YES IS MORE. Photo: PK. Odessa
Yes is More is the easily accessible but unremittingly radical manifesto of
Copenhagen-based architectural practice Bjarke Ingels Group, or BIG.
The exhibition title, Yes is More, is a polysemous play on words, suggesting
open-mindedness about commissions and related factors such as budget, site,
functions, and clients’ specific, sometimes contradictory requirements.
As part of Architekturgalerie München's long-term ambition, this event aims to
draw attention to a young European architecture firm that considers
architectural projects in an incisive, innovative way that does not preclude a
sense of humour. It is also the first comprehensive documentation of BIG's
trailblazing practice—where method, process, instruments and concepts are
constantly questioned and redefined. Or, as the group itself says:
"Historically, architecture has been dominated by two opposing extremes: an
avant-garde full of crazy ideas, originating from philosophy or mysticism; and
the well organized corporate consultants that build predictable and boring boxes
of high standard. Architecture seems entrenched: naively utopian or petrifyingly
pragmatic. We believe there is a third way between these diametric opposites: a
pragmatic utopian architecture that creates socially, economically and
environmentally perfect places as a practical objective. At BIG we are devoted
to investing in the overlap between radical and reality. In all our actions we
try to move the focus from the little details to the BIG picture."
Bjarke Ingels attracts highly talented co-workers, but also gifted and
ambitious clients from all over the world. He then creates intelligent synergies
from wild energies and unforeseen dynamics, and transforms them into surprising,
functional, valuable and beautiful solutions to the specific and complex
challenges in each task. BIG projects have won awards from the Royal Academy of
Fine Arts, and the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Architecture Biennale, as
well as many other international prizes.
From the public swimming pool in Copenhagen Harbour (2003) to the bike track
in the Danish Pavilion at Shanghai Expo (2010) and the Ørestad housing
development (2008) built on a gigantic sloping slab, densifying the city at its
edges and bringing mountaintops to a flat landscape, BIG’s achievements are
powerful architectural experiences. Deliberately removed from “politically
correct” minimalist approaches and meaningless digital formalism, this emerging
body of work is exuberantly radical. With its accompanying book, Yes is More is
both a manifesto and an invitation to update our vision of architecture and the
city, taking a new look at modernity and its utopias. With “BIG, Yes Is More”,
we’re saying a big “Yes!” to more architectural enjoyment!
Further Information:
Architekturgalerie München,
Türkenstrasse 30
80333 München, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 89 - 28 28 07
eMail:
mail@architekturgalerie-muenchen.de
web:
www.architekturgalerie-muenchen.de
BIG Bjarke Ingels Group
web: www.big.dk
german version