Graz, Austria
Mission Title: McLuhan Would Be Proud - Kunsthaus Graz
Mission By: Niccolo Tosetto, Alberto Corrado
Mission Finished on Date: 22-05-2008
SCRIPT
- Circle the museum. Try and tape it from different angles and points of view, maybe from other buildings too. Give an idea of its shape.
- Get lost inside the building, wander from floor to floor. How does the outside world look like when you're inside?
- Record the changes when it lights up at night time. Show the difference in the way it affects the surroundings. Is it more or less contrasting with them at night?
- This alien
- like feature might generate new gathering dynamics when it gets dark. Who is hanging out around it after the sun goes down?
TRAVEL BAG
Art/shape: function as medium?
Recently added to the UNESCO list of World Cultural Heritage Sites, Graz possesses one of the best preserved city centers in Central Europe, but the city is not only appealing because of its history. There are six universities - a lot of young people - and many festivals going on through the year. Contemporary art, electronic music and art, Austrian film. There's a lot of room for contemporary culture in Graz, including Kunsthaus, the city's most recent and particular architectonic feature. The museum was built in 2003 when the city was chosen as European Capital of Culture.
Designed by Peter Cook and Colin Fournier, Kunsthaus’ curvilinear and a bit alien-ish look dramatically contrasts with all the pointy roofs around it, but the museum is now part of the city. At night time the building's exterior lights up, becoming a sort of huge screen, thanks to its BIX media facade. BIX is a fluorescent lamp system designed by realities:united. Kunsthaus is then both a visual art container and a conductor. Marshall McLuhan would be proud.
