Exhibition; Frei Otto. Thinking in Models (ZKM Karlsruhe, Germany)

An exhibition on the work of Frei Otto (Architect Olympic Stadium Munich) opened last month in the Zentrum für Kunst und Medien in Karlsruhe, Germany:

 

Photo courtesy of Zentrum für Kunst und Medien, Karlsruhe

Frei Otto. Thinking in Models
Frei Otto (1925-2015) is among the most internationally celebrated and innovative German architects of the 20th century and is a central figure in building the culture in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg. In March of last year, he received the Nobel Prize for Architecture, the Pritzker Prize, for his work, which is the most highly recognized award for architecture in the world. On the occasion of this honour, the »Südwestdeutsches Archiv für Architektur und Ingenieurbau« (saai) and the Wüstenrot Foundation are planning the biggest exhibition to date of the work of Frei Otto in cooperation with the ZKM.

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Frei Otto. Thinking in Models
05.11.2016 – 12.03.2017
ZKM_Lichthof 8+9

ZKM | Zentrum für Kunst und Medien Karlsruhe
Lorenzstraße 19
76135 Karlsruhe
Website

Munich 1972; Frei Otto: Spanning the Future (Official Trailer 2016)

 

Frei Otto: Spanning The Future

This documentary profiles internationally-renowned architect and engineer, Frei Otto. Half a century ago, Otto became world famous as a pioneer in the design of tensile structures made from metal armatures and lightweight membranes. Otto’s work includes the Mannheim Multihalle, the Munich Zoo Aviary, the 1967 Montreal World Expo German Pavilion and co-design of the 1972 Munich Olympics Stadium.

For Otto, the mission of architecture is to be harmonious with nature. He believes every detail needs to be in agreement with the laws of the universe. This attempt to reconcile development with the natural world makes Frei Otto a prophet to the modern field of sustainability. Frei Otto saw as a given, that the earth has limited resources and humanity has almost unlimited needs. To efficiently solve the problem of shelter in a climate of constant shortages, Otto combined scientific experimentation with his fertile artistic imagination. Frei Otto’s true contribution to architecture and structural engineering has only been appreciated with the perspective of time. Contemporary architects including Zaha Hadid cite Frei Otto as having been a major influence on their work. They talk about Otto’s pioneering research on lightweight architecture; his early interest in the natural environment; his sense of social responsibility; and his foresight of the needs of the future. These elements—combined with Frei Otto’s compelling presence—have made him one of the most important architects of the 20th Century—and one of those whose ideas are still resonating in our own time. This trailer was produced by Simon K. Chiu, in collaboration with writer Michael Paglia, and director Joshua V. Hassel.

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© 2015 Simon K. Chiu
& Tensile Evolution North America

 

More info: www.facebook.com/FreiOttoFilm

Munich 1972; Short film ‘Olympiapark München’ by Spirit of Space

Spirit of Space is a creative agency that uses digital media to celebrate and promote a greater awareness of designed environments for the architectural profession and beyond.

Spirit of Space believes that film is the most effective tool to communicate the value of design because film transcends time, space, language, and culture. Offering professional services with those involved in the profession and education of architecture, Spirit of Space bridges professional architectural ideas with public understanding through the production of short films featuring finished works and the design process.

Source / read more: www.spiritofspace.com

News roundup; This week’s topics (11/2015)

Photo: Rio 2016
Photo: Rio 2016

Rio 2016;


Tokyo 2020;


2022 Bid;


2024 Bid;


The International Olympic Committee;


General;


Munich 1972; Frei Otto awarded Pritzker Prize a day after his death

Olympic Stadium Munich - Frei Otto
Olympiastadion München – Photo Credit: Tim Brown Architecture via Compfight cc

 



“Frei stands for Freedom, as free and as liberating as a bird in flight, swooping and soaring in elegant and joyful arcs, unrestrained by the dogma of the past, and as compelling in its economy of line and in the improbability of its engineering as it is possible to imagine, giving the marriage of form and function the invisibility of the air we breathe, and the beauty we see in Nature.”

Lord Peter Palumbo (Chair of the jury of the Pritzker Architecture Prize)
© 2015 The Hyatt Foundation – www.pritzkerprize.com

 

Read more:

 

Munich Olympic Stadium plan

Munich Olympic Stadium section