The space maker
In the course of (art) history, artist and artistic movements as well as political ideologies have dealt with the museum as a place for conservation. Sooner or later, every collection encounters problems where space is concerned …
To strike a new path and create new space, some people wanted to do away with or annihilate museums (as places for conservation), some destroyed art selectively, while others dealt with art destructively or auto-destructively. Some have left deep, others only transient tracks in art history. Some failed, and others found solutions to a certain degree. What is interesting is the fact that most of these attacks have nowadays become part of the institutionalized art world.
In 1995, the cooperation of an anonymous builder and the group »Psychiatriepatienten« gave birth to the idea for a universal work that was to bring changes on different levels of society. To create new space inside space, the idea of an »art crematory« was born. This institution enables people to use space more sparingly. By means of transforming the respective art work (so-called SPACE/ING1) the art crematory enables the work’s owner to keep the object as their own, if in a shrunk/spatially reduced form.
The art crematory is not a place or object that teaches, practices or presents art, it is the first architectural concept that spatially rationalizes art and dematerializes it up to a certain degree. It is an art object’s last stopover in its original shape. Anyone can use the art crematory, and anyone can take one of their objects to SPACE/ING. The art crematory does not serve any kind of cultural »cleansing«, it is not an »Hygienic Institute« it is an invention that questions the relation between space and matter anew. No force is used, no revolution takes place and yet SPACE/ING constitutes an evolutionary step. It works according to the individual persons wishes and intellectual maturity. What happens inside the art crematory creates a new awareness for space and environment. By means of SPACE/ING the art work, the material loses all unnecessary and superfluous importance and relevance. Regarding matter, only dust remains, that is placed in a small urn but the information content is retained.
Before an object of art is brought to SPACE/ING, the work is documented visually (scan, video, photo) and digitally saved. This way the object can be viewed in 3D at any time, or, if necessary, be reconstructed in its material shape. In other words, SPACE/ING sublimates the art work. In case of an environmental disaster or a war the work’s data is stored according to today’s safety standards. Even in case humanity should have to leave the planet, the data would be a lot easier to transport that the original material.
The crematory employs a laser beam that can disintegrate even the toughest material without any noteworthy rise in temperature. The energy that is released during the process is used inside the art crematory or passed on to households close by. The SPACE/ING process can be observed. This way, one can be very close to the end and at the same time at the beginning of a new work of art and is faced with the issue of transiency. This of course poses several questions: Is what happens inside the art crematory art? Does the object’s owner become part of the object’s history through this process? Can everyday objects become works of art by means of the SPACE/ING process? As can be seen in form KK2, the art crematory makes no selection the decision to transform any object is based solely on the individual person’s decision.
What if a person declares himself a work of art and turns himself in to the art crematory alive?
When one day the art crematory reveals its relevance and significance, the urban landscape will change as a result. In future urban development this object will be an inherent part of city planning. The art crematory unites architecture and art in a new shape and form.
In 2009, the announcement for an architectural competition was published. Only one year later, one of the designs submitted was awarded the 1st prize. The art crematory has the potential to completely change an entire system without violent force or exercising of power. We will see which part this object will play in our future society. The new handling of matter could lead to radical changes in a materialistic society.
Rau Trifalo, (art theorist)
1SPACE/ING make space, create space Form
2KK is an info sheet or a contract