2 – Film Stills SLOW SPACE

Glass architecture and mundane spaces created through the architectural use of glass, for me, have become a theme for years. (‘Construction of Space’ and ‘Cupola’ series. – IMAGE 1 ) At the same time these spaces have also become a metaphor for urbanity – as a symptom and as prospect. While living in Scotland (1998), the cupolas of 19th century neo-classicism houses seemed to tell me more

about the future than the past. Cupolas, skylights and skywalks are related to our time of communications detached from body and place. During my stay in Chicago (1999-2002), the theme then shifted towards a metaphor of a desire for modernity in a city lacerated between pre-modern and postmodern forces. As a result, my project expanded to a discussion of public space in relation to architecture. I called my whole Chicago project ‘Slow Space‘, which comprises the video ‘Slow Space – The Interviews‘ – IMAGE 2, the film ‘Slow Space‘, the video installation ‘Space and Place’ and the performance series ‘SiteVisit‘ – IMAGE 3. In addition, ‘Traute Rume – Familiar Spaces‘ – IMAGE 5 – , a series of panorama photographs, shows open urban spaces in Chicago. This series is confronted with another one, of same title, that shows spaces of rural modernity in Hooksiel, a small town at the German North Sea coast. In Berlin, I have started to collaborate with two local artist groups working on urban themes, projectSTRAND.org and a group consisting of Johann Zeitler, Stephan Gnzel and myself.

SLOW SPACE-THE INTERVIEWS

Most recently, I have started the project ‘Stadtrandzone Mitte’ (Center of Urban Periphery) – IMAGE 4 – about public spaces in Hannover. During my residency at ‘Villa Minimo‘, I will portrait urban places in the larger city area. This includes the collaboration with invited performance artists and the work with local youth groups on investigations of public spaces. The project will include a web project, a larger series of photographs and an experimental essay film.