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werner aisslinger conceives pilsen greenhouse as a pilgrimage site for design
to celebrate pilsen’s status as a european capital of culture for 2015, an industrial depot in the czech republic has been transformed into what its curators are calling ‘a pilgrimage site for contemporary design’.
named DOMUS, the installation brings together a host of acclaimed design studios, creating a new landscape within the former tram depot. the project seeks to embrace the narrative of contemporary design, providing a place for guests to pause and reflect.
curated by jana zielinski and jiří macek, the centerpiece is an elevated exhibition space that takes the form of a large greenhouse. conceived by german designer werner aisslinger, the structure is imagined as a ‘stylized chapel’ presenting a series of works that relate to the life and history of the pilsen region.
presented in partnership with designblok, central europe’s largest design festival, each exhibited piece relates to one of five topics: water, play, land, mysticism, and machines. ‘the themes permeate the entire exhibition,’ explain curators jana zielinski and jiří macek. ‘these abstract themes, however, conceal a specific connection to the city of pilsen. the exhibition should serve as a love letter to its genius loci, interpreted through design, and multiply the riches of this region.’
michaela tomišková and jakub janďourek of dechem studio have interpreted the theme of ‘water’, while the topic of ‘mysticism’ has been referenced by two designers: janja prokič and jiří příhoda. prokič has created a model of the holy grail, while příhoda has complemented the greenhouse with a helix structure that ascends to a small an private hermitage. influenced by the industrial history of pilsen, designers jan plecháč and henry wielgus have interpreted the theme of ‘machines’ by designing a simple interactive mechanism that plays beethoven’s ode to joy.
focusing on the subject of ‘play’, maxim velčovský has created a neon coat of arms that shows a variety of motifs, including a crying virgin mary, the škoda logo, beer, and football. finally, the theme of ‘land’ is interpreted by the installation’s designer werner aisslinger. the greenhouse includes his project ‘chair farm’, which if watered properly, will grow for the duration of the exhibition.
designed exclusively for DOMUS, these objects are complemented by other works from all over the world. the interior display includes an alchemist’s table for perfume-making by british designer lauren davies, electronic flies caught in samples of contemporary glass by mischer’traxler, and the famous autarchy project of baked vessels by formafantasma. in total, the exhibition presents 35 projects by 26 design studios from 11 different countries.
‘we have created, in collaboration with respected czech and foreign designers, an installation that offers a variety of experiences,’ conclude jana zielinski and jiří macek. ‘the installation should serve as a common meeting-point for themes that are central to the pilsen — european capital of culture 2015 project.
‘it should be a pilgrimage site in the true sense of the word, a place that reflects progressive trends in contemporary art and design, yet responds to contemporary spiritual and lifestyle needs in a very authentic way. the concept is to produce an original ‘gesamtkunstwerk’, a total work of art in form as well as being a very impressive story – two features that are absolutely essential for good design.’
