A specially commissioned art/architectural installation entitled Transfer Laban is being created for Canary Wharf by German artist Wolfgang Weileder, commissioned by Locus+. The installation, which is part of the London Festival of Architecture 2016, will appear between 13th – 24th June and will see a full-scale replica of the façade of the Laban Building constructed and deconstructed in Montgomery Square. Outstanding for its bold simplicity, the Laban Building, designed by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron, won the RIBA Stirling Prize back in 2003.
Over the two-week period, the façade will be built in sections in a choreographed sequence that sees it physically and metaphorically transfer. Using white lightweight concrete blocks and dry joint techniques, each section will be visible for a single day before being deconstructed and erected as the next section. Animating the space in this temporary way, Weileder’s aim is to invite a new and fresh engagement with different aspects of the existing built environment of Canary Wharf.
Wolfgang Weileder, explains: “I wanted to challenge the perception of architecture being permanent by creating something momentary and animated. Part-performance, part-installation, Transfer Laban is a temporary gesture within the space. The simultaneous construction and deconstruction is almost like a slow dance in itself and aims to challenge the relationship between art and architecture, as well as its audience and environment.”
It was important for Weileder to choose a building not only for its extraordinary architecture, but for its nurturing of cultural activity. The Laban Building is home to the Faculty of Dance at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. One of the world’s leading schools for music and contemporary dance, Trinity Laban also has a pioneering education and community programme. Collaborating with Trinity Laban has played an important part in the artwork’s development.
Through this partnership, students from Trinity Laban are bringing a second component to the installation. They have developed a series of performances in response to the artwork, which will be performed in Montgomery Square twice each day in breaks during construction.
Jonathan Owen Clark, Head of Research at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance says: “Trinity Laban is delighted to be involved in this collaboration between artist Wolfgang Weileder and choreographer and Trinity Laban Dance Faculty member Charles Linehan. This will be an exciting public art event that features our building in an original and surprising context, and will also introduce dance performance into a highly visible public and unique architectural space.”
Another important element in this public art project is the creation of new partnerships with students of colleges in Barking and Dagenham, Tower Hamlets and Havering, as well as the construction companies who are facilitating its realisation. The project will result in very little waste and, following its completion, the concrete blocks and other components will be donated to the participating colleges.
Speaking about the installation, Sally Williams, Public Art Consultant at Canary Wharf Group says: “This opportunity to collaborate with Locus+ and Wolfgang Weileder has provided Canary Wharf with an exceptional contribution to this year’s London Festival of Architecture. Public art at Canary Wharf takes many forms, demonstrating our diverse cultural offering, and plays an important part in helping to engage with the myriad visitors to the estate, often bringing new audiences. We are looking forward to seeing Wolfgang’s unique installation taking shape in Montgomery Square and watching how dancers from Trinity Laban engage with it.”
Weileder has undertaken similar Transfer projects, for example in Milton Keynes back in 2006 when a 1:1 scale replica of the front architectural cube of Milton Keynes Gallery was created over a 3-week period in the town’s Station Square, commissioned by the gallery.
Transfer Laban is commissioned by Locus+ with funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council, supported by Arts Council England and Newcastle University.
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Press Office
Canary Wharf Group plc
T: 020 7418 2000
E: pressoffice@canarywharf.com
Notes to Editors
Event information:
Dates: Weekday 13–24th June 2016
Times: 7.30am–4.30pm (dance performances at 12.30pm and 4.30pm, daily)
Location: Montgomery Square, Canary Wharf Estate, E14 5AB
Prices: Free
Getting here:
Tube:Canary Wharf station is on the Jubilee Line and is a 2 minute walk to Canada Square Park
DLR: Canary Wharf & Heron Quays DLR stations are within a few minutes walking distance to Canada Square Park
Boat:: The Thames Clipper docks at the Canary Wharf Pier, a 10 minute walk to Canada Square Park
Bus: D3, D7, D8, 135, 277 all go to Canary Wharf.
About Wolfgang Weileder
Wolfgang Weileder is an artist from Munich, Germany. He moved to the UK in 2000 and is currently Professor in Contemporary Sculpture at Newcastle University. His work is primarily concerned with the examination and critical deconstruction of architecture, public spaces and the interactions we have with the urban environment. His works are investigations into the relationship between time and space, the interface between permanence and transience, and how these can be explored to question our understanding of the landscape, both built and natural.
His works engages with the world through large-scale temporary site-specific installation and sculpture; temporary recordings of spaces and environments through photography, film, performance and sound installation.
www.wolfgangweileder.com
About Canary Wharf Group
Canary Wharf Group plc has overseen the largest urban regeneration project ever undertaken in Europe, designing and building more than 16m sq ft of iconic London real estate which now houses local and international companies and renowned retailers.
The Canary Wharf Estate is a major retail destination comprising five shopping malls, including the new leisure development, Crossrail Place, housing one of London’s most stunning roof gardens. It also has world-class, year-round arts and events programme offering over 100 diverse and culturally inspiring events performed throughout the Estate.
Canary Wharf Group is a wholly owned joint venture between Brookfield Property Partners and the Qatar Investment Authority.
www.canarywharf.com
@CanaryWharfGrp
@YourCanaryWharf
@Level39CW
About Locus+
Locus+ is a visual arts commissioning agency that works with artists on the production and presentation of socially engaged, collaborative and temporary projects, primarily for non-gallery locations. In each project, place or context is integral to the meaning of the artwork.
Locus+ creates new opportunities for artists, whose work is issue-based, to work in different contexts and across formats. Locus+ responds to and initiates projects with a great degree of flexibility and freedom. We have worked with artists with significant reputations as well as others beginning their careers. We afford equal value to each project regardless of scale or location. Every Locus+ project is generated by the organisation: we do not act as a host for existing projects.
www.locusplus.org.uk
About London Festival of Architecture
The 2016 London Festival of Architecture (LFA) celebrates London as a global hub of architecture. The theme of the London Festival of Architecture 2016 is “Community”, and the festival aims to connect with as many people as possible to demonstrate architecture’s relevance to London and its diverse communities. The festival programme features exhibitions and events organised by London’s leading architectural, cultural and academic institutions alongside architects, designers, curators and community groups from around the UK.
www.londonfestivalofarchitecture.org
@LFArchitecture
#LFA2016
www.facebook.com/LondonFestivalofArchitecture