Common Spaces Showcase

 

3 – 21 October 2011

National Library Building Location info
100 Victoria Street
Singapore 188064

Free Admission

 

The exhibition will revolve around five aspects of space.

  1. Physical Environment
  2. Perceived Spaces
  3. Media World
  4. Virtual Network
  5. My Playground

Introduction

The concept of the exhibition is inspired by the idea of ‘The Agora’. The Agora was used as a ‘common’ place of gathering in ancient Greek cities. The Greeks gather at the Agora for discussions, debates and exchange of ideas. We envisioned that the exhibition this year would be of such place where discussion, debates and exploration of new ideas in architecture would happen.

The theme of the Archifest ‘11 – “Common Spaces” – explores the nature of shared spaces and experiences that are influenced by prevailing global environment.

The Exhibition is zoned into five aspects of experiences. We look into exploring the way spaces are experienced. The Exhibition Design aims to engage the public to experiment and explore the idea of each zoning.  In relation to the Curatorial contents, panels on display from competitions, contributions and invited forum speakers on behalf of SIA, would be zoned into these five areas. Doing so, it will illustrate the way Architects and Designers shape their works by manipulating and exploring these aspects.

The Exhibition will also look into the current definitions and roles of public spaces in defining Common Spaces. Public buildings and architectures have evolved substantially with new technologies and globalization. With regards to the current environment, we will look into their role in the change of architectures like libraries, town halls, convention centers, plazas, shopping malls, train stations etc… Contemporary Architectural Design Works of these public buildings would be exhibited to explore the evolving concept of common space.

The National Library Piazza is then the best location to receive the Exhibition of Archifest ’11 – “Common Spaces”. Indeed, the National Library is by essence a so-called traditional Common space, a trusted and accessible place for discussion and exchange of ideas, bringing knowledge alive, raising global public awareness and offering a true gateway to the World.

1. Physical Environment – the architecturally defined space

The exhibition works will be interactive. The public would be able to move some of the exhibition items to create physical spaces. Small blocks/pedestals could be stacked, rolled around and used interactively to create and experience the physical space. The public are invited to explore definition of territories, boundaries and common/conducive space.

2. Perceived Spaces – the mind and space

The exhibition works will engage the public to experience spaces that have no physical boundaries but was formed by intangible ways i.e. lights, floor patterns, etc. The idea is to invite the public to evoke their perceived space through the prism of collective memories. How are related these spaces to ideas of ‘public/common’ versus ‘private/individual’ spaces?

3. Media World – where information shape Common Spaces

The media would be used to illustrate the idea of Common Spaces. With our current vast exposure to media, we will explore the idea of media world that have become new ‘Common Spaces’. The media is used as a common platform where ideas, debates, and discussions come into place. Had Instruments such as facebook, twitter, youtube etc replace the function of ‘Agora’? Had Media World become the new ‘Agora’ of the digital age?

4. Virtual Network – the non space of space

The exhibition will use digital and virtual works to illustrate the new way of experiencing a space. Amongst others, the works will look into exploring how programs/games such as Avatars, Sims City, etc… shaped our perception of space and architecture. These virtual spaces had become New Common Spaces where traditional perception of architecture and common spaces are brought to a new platform made possible by technology.

On the other hand, borderless communities relying on virtual networks will be taken as examples in the process of creating physical Common Spaces in any location, where homogenization and regionalism will be questioned.

5. My playground – what you define as a space

This zone is a very personalized area where the public are invited to explore and define their space. With the four different types of spaces, each individual would define their ownership of Common Spaces’ differently. Therefore, this space is to bring awareness to the public on the differences of definitions of common space.