Le Cercle Fermé_by Martine Feipel & Jean Bechameil

Anybody interested in the work of Martine Feipel & Jean Beachmeil soon realises that the notion of space is central to it. This is also the case in the artwork presented for the 2011 Venice Biennale. The observer is presented with a single idea: the obvious necessity of finding a new type of space.

At the root of their work is an awareness that sensorial perception has physiological limits – and that our conception of space is historically dated. Henceforth, in the wake of the philosophy of Jacques Derrida, it is a case of trying to go beyond the limit of a place to find a new one. This comes down to thinking about the meaning of the limit and the meaning of space which is mainly the result of tradition. The important thing is not to overstep or transgress the law by crossing the limit but to ‘‘open’’ a space at the very heart of the former space. This opening does not create new space to occupy, but rather a sort of pocket hidden inside the old meaning of the limit. It is about an opening in space according to the principle of slippage. This internal slippage and the recreation of space always implies the destruction of an institution. The meaning of the word “space” is profoundly destabilised. In this, our two artists are very topical because the management of space is in crisis. This space we think of as living space is simultaneously a space of action, orientation and communication. The development of science and technology, the erosion of particular visions of the world and traditional value systems, the structural crisis of the economy and the exacerbation of the issue of logic question a traditional conception of space and management that only thinks in terms of fields of competence and is obsessed with the constraints of growth and valorisation. We live in a period of mutation in which past models of orientation and action no longer work.

Certainly, the situation still seems open, but we lack concepts of action capable of responding to the ecological crisis and the crisis of civilisation we are currently experiencing without endangering democracy, human rights and the physical necessities of life. Today, there is no doubt that it is more urgent than ever to consider any reflection on the question of space as a work of civilisation, as a remodelling of civilisation. Modifying the everyday completely remodels our world, and that is what this is all about.

The artwork can be understood on various different levels that touch as much on philosophy as on art history or society.-

Words: René Kockelkorn, curator
Photography: Martine Feipel & Jean Bechameil

Villa Extramuros_by vora-arquitectura

With important architectural remains of the Neolithic period, through constructions of the periods of Roman and Arab presence, from the Middle-Ages to the present day, the Alto-Alentejo is one of the culturally most interesting regions of the Iberian Peninsula.

Devoid of large aquifers, the region extends in a slight swell, punctuated by small elevations. Human occupation has always sought the more elevated points of this area, particularly for defensive reasons and purpose of dominion. It is also on the slope of a small hill, on the outskirts of the ancient town of Arraiolos, where there is built a small touristic guesthouse designated as Villa Extramuros.

Surrounded by an extensive olive grove, its scale and form of implementation recover the concept of the old manor houses of the Alentejo. Nevertheless, its architectural features derive also from the clear lines of modern and contemporary architecture. Spreading over two floors, the white facade, with few openings, gives the building a distinctive and abstract look.

Built as a dwelling for their owners and as a small hotel, just two large openings on the ground floor, corresponding to the dining and the living room, are establishing a relationship with the exterior. The surrounding landscape of extensive olive groves, nearby pastures and the town of Arraiolos in the distance form an appropriate bucolic background. One of these openings contains also the main entrance. The ceiling, walls and even the entrance door are lined by cork, thus giving the entrance a warm and sensual atmosphere.

This distribution of space reflects also the spatial organization of the ancient monasteries of the region, with dining room, chapter room and kitchen grouped around a central cloister. The upper level is divided into four separate ‘volumes’ which provide a more modest feel to their interiors. White and austere, these volumes are connected by low cork-coated walls. Four guestrooms are distributed on two of these volumes, while the master suite occupies the third volume entirely. The fourth volume contains the living quarters of the owners.

Each guest room is oriented individually to a private courtyard, through which is also gained access to the room. Enclosed in walls lined with cork, these outdoor spaces gain a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape through horizontal openings in their outer walls.

The construction resembles most of the typical architecture of southern Portugal. It is characterized by its formal simplicity, the use of few materials, the volumetric arrangement and construction details used.

The fragmentation of the upper floor into four smaller volumes, their separation by lower walls and the typology of the small patios finds its parallel in domestic and vernacular architecture of towns and villages in the region.

The high level of service offered by their owners, the diversification of spaces available to guests, the small scale enterprise and the particular character of its contemporary interior spaces make this venture unique, thus completing an existing touristic offer based primarily on tourism in traditional historic buildings.-

Architectural office: vora-arquitectura
Author: Jordi Fornells & Rolf Heinemann
Technical Support: Soprenco
Client: www.villaextramuros.com
Site area: 53.000m2
Built up area: 800m2
Project: year 2008
Completed: 2011
Costs: 800.000€
Collaborators: Bruno Pica, Gonçalo Leite, Edgar Rafael, Mariana Pestana
Photography: Alexander Gempeler and Adrià Goula

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Matt Wisniewski_Mixed Media Master

Web developer and artist Matt Wisniewski skillfully combines elements of nature with photographic portraits to create the most stunning and visually intriguing digital collages. After admiring his work for several months, I look forward to seeing what the future holds for this talented mixed media master!

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Sit Bunny_by Merve Kahraman

Merve Kahraman, born in 1987, studied Interior Design at the Istituto Europeo di Design (Milan/Italy) before moving to London. She has worked in several architecture and design studios in Istanbul, New York and London. Here is her latest creation HYBRID collection, the two chairs were inspired by the mythologies of parahumans, she managed to merge a chair with a stag and a rabbit. HYBRID collection is entirely handmade and available in different leathers. More projects on her website.