Exhibition: The House. The Mentor. The Archive. Christian Kieckens (Antwerp, 12 February – 5 June 2016)

The House. The Mentor.The Archive.Christian Kieckens — 12 February – 5 June 2016
Flanders Architecture Institute, deSingel International Arts Campus and the Architecture Archive Province of AntwerpArchitecture in Flanders and Brussels enjoys great international attention today. A group of emerging young architects laid the basis for this success in the seventies. The Flanders Architecture Institute and deSingel have invited one of them to create an exhibition: Christian Kieckens.
Two ‘fellow travellers’, who have given shape to the development of Kieckens’ work throughout years of collaboration, provide the frame of reference: Maarten Lambrechts and Katrien Vandermarliere. Kieckens’ archive, which was recently donated to the Architectural Archives of the Province of Antwerp, testifies to an extensive accumulation of thoughts, drawings and presentation work. This too is also a rich source of material for the exhibition. The House. The Mentor. The Archive. reveals the interaction between architectural history, design research, teaching and the built oeuvre.
Kieckens gathers a world of art and architecture around him. He immerses himself in research into the autonomy of architecture: the churches of Francesco Borromini, the pyramid of Cheops, Baroque domes in Bohemia, the Swiss neutrality, the work of his mentor Pieter De Bruyne … Kieckens’ career reads like a search for the interaction between word and image, theory and history, imagination and use. This complex quest forms a contrast to the visual simplicity of his designs.
These insights form the basis for the transfer of knowledge to new generations of architects. The fundamental message that Kieckens wishes to convey, as a lecturer, is the importance of unity in design. The creation of architecture in which every component is essential: nothing more,nothing less.
Temporary interventions

  • Roberto Cremascoli 10.02 – 21.02.2016
  • Peter Downsbrough 24.02 – 06.03.2016
  • Mira Sanders 09.03 – 20.03.2016
  • Kim Zwarts-Elmar Kleuters-Josef Bischofs 23.03 – 13.04.2016
  • Manon de Boer 06.04 – 17.04.2016
  • Ante Timmermans 20.04 – 01.05.2016
  • Hannes Hulstaert 04.05 – 15.05.2016
  • Willy De Sauter 18.05 – 29.05.2016

Practical 

open from Wednesday to Sunday from 14.00 to 18.00 hours and at evening performances, closed Mondays, Tuesdays and holidays.
admission: 5 euros
tickets for sale at the exhibition entrance
free visitor guide to the exhibition
Guided tours
Guided tours on Sundays 13/03/2016 and 08/05/2016 at 14.00. Cost: 5 euro. 
Reservation is required via tickets@desingel.be or + 32 248 28 28. 
A group tour by appointment is possible, maximum 20 people, 60 euros, 
book via www.antwerpenaverechts.be
Colophon
organisation
Flanders Architecture Institute, deSingel International Arts Campus and the Architecture Archive Province of Antwerp
curators Katrien Vandermarliere, Maarten Lambrechts and Christian Kieckens
graphic design exhibition and publication Something Els
with support from the Flemish Government
http://www.vai.be/en/event/exhibition-the-house-the-mentor-the-archive-christian-kieckens

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