"Meteoros Cosmos"
A brave new world is emerging right in front of us. We stand startled by its sheer beauty and its adaptation challenges that every new beginning promises. A general confusion is at our doorstep. Physical, imaginary and digital worlds are connected at schizophrenic rate asking us even greater amounts of energy in order to follow their rhythm and extent. Like never before, these worlds are testing their limits, their permeability and their endurance. Many things taken for granted are encountering unprecedented pressure. Such adversities rarely, if ever, are faced in isolation. Things never occur out of context and solutions are not found in a vacuum.
Our lifeline in these turmoil waters of events is our diverse cultural, social and architectural past of this place of the world that is reflected with pristine clarity in Monasteries. Collectively facing challenges in a generous manner is part of our architecture and, of course, our overall history. We do not need to invent the wheel every second Wednesday. The monastery we are interested in is one that people’s individuality is being protected and their life and time is being collectively governed. This synthesis of private and public life is the paradigm that we wish to suggest. Robust plasticity, pleasant rhythm of spaces and events is the way that we want to share. With a twist• their infusion in the fabric of contemporary metropolis of the typical Athens block which in our eyes constitutes the alchemical transformation of this primary condition. A safe aggregate open to all within a vast world.
Monasterial organization is a very specific and, at the same time, very open spatial typology whose physical characteristics that unfold in time and space are an example to be followed. In that setting the social, political and financial relationships and interactions are structured around studying and reflection and they revolve around spiritual values and rituals. Taking this as a paradigm is as much of a challenge as it is an opportunity to translate it anew. How can we learn from such resourceful traditions, while avoiding traps they were suffering from such as isolation and obsession in dogmas and prejudices? In other words, how can we reconsider the general narrative that monasterial arrangement belongs to the religious sphere only, but jointly to the collective and the vibrant metropolis and its cosmopolitan quests of our times?
Our intention is to make an open call to architects and everyone who occupy themselves with the built environment so that we attempt together to provide an answer to matters that lie in front and around us. Inside the Greek Pavilion in Biennale, which we have flooded with water, the visitors will wander seeking the floating models of historical Monasteries and contemporary ones, as much as their transmutations in the urban fabric and elsewhere. A focal, orienting, cubic volume is suspended from the roof. Found inside is ample research material from educational facilities in Greece on monasteries. Vertical surfaces offer additional exhibiting space. The models of the monasteries which are placed in the periphery allow multiple readings in various scales. Along with the monastery, one interprets the respective water surrounding it. Is one in Mediterranean waters or in flooding caused by climate change? Is this our future or a historical reference? Do you assume the role of the resident in the metropolitan ocean or are you a refugee? Maybe an immigrant away from home. Finally, are those lifeboats capable of providing a firm support for each and every one of us?
"Meteoros Cosmos"
A brave new world is emerging right in front of us. We stand startled by its sheer beauty and its adaptation challenges that every new beginning promises. A general confusion is at our doorstep. Physical, imaginary and digital worlds are connected at schizophrenic rate asking us even greater amounts of energy in order to follow their rhythm and extent. Like never before, these worlds are testing their limits, their permeability and their endurance. Many things taken for granted are encountering unprecedented pressure. Such adversities rarely, if ever, are faced in isolation. Things never occur out of context and solutions are not found in a vacuum.
Our lifeline in these turmoil waters of events is our diverse cultural, social and architectural past of this place of the world that is reflected with pristine clarity in Monasteries. Collectively facing challenges in a generous manner is part of our architecture and, of course, our overall history. We do not need to invent the wheel every second Wednesday. The monastery we are interested in is one that people’s individuality is being protected and their life and time is being collectively governed. This synthesis of private and public life is the paradigm that we wish to suggest. Robust plasticity, pleasant rhythm of spaces and events is the way that we want to share. With a twist• their infusion in the fabric of contemporary metropolis of the typical Athens block which in our eyes constitutes the alchemical transformation of this primary condition. A safe aggregate open to all within a vast world.
Monasterial organization is a very specific and, at the same time, very open spatial typology whose physical characteristics that unfold in time and space are an example to be followed. In that setting the social, political and financial relationships and interactions are structured around studying and reflection and they revolve around spiritual values and rituals. Taking this as a paradigm is as much of a challenge as it is an opportunity to translate it anew. How can we learn from such resourceful traditions, while avoiding traps they were suffering from such as isolation and obsession in dogmas and prejudices? In other words, how can we reconsider the general narrative that monasterial arrangement belongs to the religious sphere only, but jointly to the collective and the vibrant metropolis and its cosmopolitan quests of our times?
Our intention is to make an open call to architects and everyone who occupy themselves with the built environment so that we attempt together to provide an answer to matters that lie in front and around us. Inside the Greek Pavilion in Biennale, which we have flooded with water, the visitors will wander seeking the floating models of historical Monasteries and contemporary ones, as much as their transmutations in the urban fabric and elsewhere. A focal, orienting, cubic volume is suspended from the roof. Found inside is ample research material from educational facilities in Greece on monasteries. Vertical surfaces offer additional exhibiting space. The models of the monasteries which are placed in the periphery allow multiple readings in various scales. Along with the monastery, one interprets the respective water surrounding it. Is one in Mediterranean waters or in flooding caused by climate change? Is this our future or a historical reference? Do you assume the role of the resident in the metropolitan ocean or are you a refugee? Maybe an immigrant away from home. Finally, are those lifeboats capable of providing a firm support for each and every one of us?