Architecture requires a space for negotiation so that we can understand and transform it. Exhibitions are a form of knowledge transfer that allows viewers to give space to their own thoughts without feeling compelled to accept the knowledge produced by the exhibition. Amina Ghisu
The “architecture exhibition” format not only encompasses an immense spectrum of content and forms of expression, but, as the “bringing together in a space” of ideas, projects, and forms, is simultaneously subject to diverse conditions. For unlike, say, art exhibitions featuring images, the exhibited artifacts represent something (the subject of architecture) that cannot actually be exhibited. Consequently, the exhibits can take on different meanings or be specifically employed to convey the desired knowledge. The spectrum ranges from classical building documentation through the illustration of architectural or urban planning ideas and projects to the visualization of theoretical foundations as a starting point for spatial production.
Building on Amina Ghisu’s work “Architecture (is) Exhibition—An Impact Analysis Based on Five Berlin Institutions,” the discussion will explore further questions, such as: What role do architecture exhibitions play in social discourse? How do physical architectural artifacts relate to digital media? What interactions exist between architecture exhibitions and architectural practice, and what will the exhibition formats of the future look like? It is important that participants be able to shed light on different perspectives based on their own professional practice. The discussion is part of the program marking the 25th anniversary of the founding of Architektur Galerie Berlin.
Teresa Fankhänel: Curator of numerous exhibitions, including “The Architecture Machine” and “Farmland”; Associate Curator at the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University; Editor-in-Chief of “Architectural Exhibition Review”; currently a visiting professor at KIT Karlsruhe.
Amina Ghisu: Architect, collaborator at Architektur Galerie Berlin, among others. Co-director of artburst berlin e.V., where she served as co-curator of exhibitions including “brennen glühen flirren” and “Mit lebendigen Strukturen oder festen Elementen.” Currently an intern at DBZ Deutsche Bauzeitschrift.
Christian Hiller: Media scholar, curator, and editor at ARCH+. Has collaborated with urban drift, Shrinking Cities, Raumtaktik, Bauhaus Dessau, and HKW, among others. (Co-)curator of numerous exhibitions, including “Cohabitation,” “Open for Maintenance” (Venice Architecture Biennale 2022, German Pavilion), and “The Great Repair.”
Louisa Hutton: Founding partner of Sauerbruch Hutton Architects alongside Matthias Sauerbuch. In addition to numerous acclaimed projects, she has authored several publications and curated exhibitions on her own work, most recently “draw love build / sauerbruch hutton tracing modernities” at the Academy of Arts in Berlin.
Ulrich Müller: Founder and director of Architektur Galerie Berlin, organizer of more than 200 solo and group exhibitions as well as events. Editor of “AAB – Architektur Ausstellungen Berlin” and “AEX – Architecture Exhibitions Platform,” founder of “AEW – Architecture Exhibitions Weekend BERLIN.”