16/09/2016
COUNTDOWN: LAST CHAPTERS OF ACHACU
3 WEEKS UNTIL DECONSTRUCTION.
7 MORE ARCHITECTURAL IDENTITIES TO COME.
OPEN TODAY 4-9,TOMORROW AND SUNDAY 12AM-5PM,
19 SEPT-6 OCTOBER BY APPOINTMENTS OR DID_ EVENTS.
FIRST: HERE´S A READ_UP: HISTORY:
DID_THE ARCHITECT_RE-INTERPRET THE SPACE AS SITUATION_
1. DID: "Dissociative identity disorder (DID), previously known as multiple personality disorder (MPD), [1] is a mental disorder on the dissociative spectrum characterized by the appearance of at least two distinct and relatively enduring identities or dissociated personality states that alternately control a person's behavior."
2.THE ARCHITECT: The late fall and winter of 2016-2017, in Berlin Schöneberg: Altes Postfuhramt West, the old post building and functionalist landmark of Schöneberg, is being transformed into apartments and concept stores by Graft Architects. Graft architects drew Brad Pitts house in LA.
3. RE-INTERPRET THE SPACE AS SITUATION: The spring of 2015: The architectural sculpture ‘A chair has a concrete use’ is developed for the exhibition Concrete Utopias in the Altes Post. The installation is developed from a system of rules stemming from the functionalist nature of the post building: A rounded wall, a concrete grid, a column, a windowsill, are turned into a formula that creates an architectural script of altered domestic and public architectural programs. The installation functions as the back room of the exhibition. The installation is activated as a living installation of the behind-the-scenes economy of the art market: as studio, film set, a place for art selling and dinner parties, and as a bedroom for artists in need of a place to stay in Berlin. The project is called ‘The Green Room´.
4. SHOW BUSINESS: "In show business, the green room is the space in a theatre, or similar venue which functions as a waiting room and lounge for performers before and after a performance, and during the show when they are not engaged on stage. The origin of the term is often ascribed to such rooms historically being painted green. [1][2] The modern "green room" is usually not green at all."
5. SYSTEMS OF ANOTHER ORDER: September 2015: During the busiest week for art selling and dealing in Berlin ‘A chair has a concrete use’ is exposed as the entrance room of the group exhibition ´Systems of another order´ in Altes Post. The exhibition uses functionalism-modernism as backdrop to distract the visitor from the absent curatorial concept. ‘A chair has a concrete use’ is used by the curators as a tool to push the price of a large-scale modernist painting installed inside the sculpture.
6. SHOW TIME: April 2016: "Berlin Gallery Weekend has managed to establish itself as a magnet for international collectors. Up to 20,000 visitors from all over the world come to Berlin to experience the capital's creative scene. The Gallery Weekend especially attracts art collectors from Russia, China and the U.S."
7. POP-UP SHOP: "Pop-up retail, also known as pop-up store, or flashing retailing[1], is a trend of opening short term sales spaces in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. A "pop-up shop" is "here today, gone tomorrow". Pop-up retail is the temporary use of physical space to create a long term, lasting impression with potential customers." During Berlin Gallery Week in April 2016 the installation staged a pop-up designer store.
8. STAGED INSTITUTIONS: April - October 2015: ACHACU, the acronym of ‘A chair has a concrete use’ poses as a variety of institutional identities through the project Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). During short-term residencies artists, writers, curators, choreographers and architects are asked to interpret the space as situation.
9. FINISSAGE: For the final days of Berlin Art Week 2016 ACHACU has invited a gallery owner to pose as the institutional owner of ACHACU. By wearing attention seeking designer dresses to every opening Gallery Maria Veie uses conversations around fashion to draw attention to talking about the artwork.
10. REDEVELOPMENT: On October 6th the installation will be demolished to give space for apartments and concept stores.
11. MULTIPLE IDENTITY DISORDER: The term multiple identity disorder, an alteration of multiple personality disorder (MPD), now known as Dissociative identity disorder (DID), is also borrowed as metaphor for interchanging identities of architectural designs. The space, based on what it is perceived as, changes the status of the visitor. The term is also used to bring emphasis on the arbitrariness implied in treating something as novelty.
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Sep 16 - Oct 6th ‘ACHACU will be open to audience as a last remnant and testimony of artistic interventions to the ongoing gentrification of the Postfuhramt West building complex. The installation can be viewed by appointment, and through the last events in Dissociative Identity Disorder.
As part of Berlin Art Week Gallery Maria Veie has curated ‘Abgesang des Posthauses’ as a celebration of the still deserted and empty building. In two durational performance and live electronic acts Norwegian vocal ensemble Trondheim Voices and sound designer Asle Karstad will interact with the architectural structure, allowing audience to come and go as they like, and experience the piece through their own movements in the space. The performance can be observed in nighttime on Saturday and daytime on Sunday- incorporating the play between light and structure.
