Holz und Stein
Fall 2017 // University of Cincinnati
Professor: Terry Boling
Location: Reed Gallery // Cincinnati, OH
The culmination of two-month’s study through Central Europe, Holz und Stein (Wood and Stone) is an exhibition of student work showcasing the architecture and construction techniques prominent in the regions of Central Europe. Intended to capture physical and emotional aspects of the trip, students were tasked with curating drawings done in situ and creating discursive objects that expressed the character of these distinct places.
Visited cities were categorized into one of four regions: Bohemia, Croatia, Northern Italy, and Switzerland, and each region was represented by a single human-scale, built object. These spatial constructions shared the building ethos of the region by implementing aesthetic and technical detailing commonly found in those places. They were then supplemented with drawings and collages.
In order to explain the scope of the trip, a map was built. Consisting of reclaimed timbers and red oak frames. The 6’ by 6’ map is a layered composition that borrows techniques and materials from other exhibition elements. On its surface is a textured finish of aggregate showing the qualities of material indicative of each region. The physical materials used on the map’s surface are ones commonly found in the architecture of those countries. On top of the textured surface are collaged elements that express the critical regionalism of these places.
At the center of the gallery, a chronological display of photos is suspended along a series of six tripods. Curated photographs show significant sites visited and workshops completed by students. The tripods function as discursive objects themselves by employing details that solve the difficulty of suspending these photos in this manner.
