Columns Worth Stealing

Frans Drewniak (Producer)

Publications: Non-textual formContribution to exhibitionCommunication

Abstract

From around the year 300 (A.D.) the reuse of materials, fragments, and elements such as pillars of antiquity was widespread in the construction of the early christian churches. The phenomenon has been named spolia. The latin word "spolium" originally meant the skins ripped off by an animal, but came in its plural form, spolia, to account for various forms of prey and stolen treasures. This spolia was since the common term for building parts or sculpture taken from one context and reused in a new place, and often in a new way *.

The extraction, production and formation of virgin and non-renewable materials & resources threatens our existence, but also opens up new questions and aesthetic demands.  When raw materials such as cement and clay are precious resources that also require a great deal of energy in the process and burning, and thus are a possible prime suspect as climate sinners, what does this mean for our “modus operandi”?

With the right to use the earth's "material bank" could follow the obligation to value them equally high ! "Columns Worth Stealing" reflects on how to make structural columns of stacked brick elements. Made so venerable and beautiful, that they play a hoover role in space, will never be covered and that they will survive even demolition and thus live on as "spolia" for ever and ever.

Spoliation :on an act, instance or the process of robbing, plundering . Latin spoliare
Original languageDanish
Publication date2020
Publication statusPublished - 2020
EventCharlottenborg Forårsudstilling 2020 - CHARLOTTENBORG FONDEN, Copenhagen, Denmark
Duration: 1 Feb 20208 Mar 2020
https://www.foraarsudstillingen.dk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Pressemeddelelse_Charlottenborg-Foraarsudstilling_2020.pdf

Exhibition

ExhibitionCharlottenborg Forårsudstilling 2020
LocationCHARLOTTENBORG FONDEN
Country/TerritoryDenmark
CityCopenhagen
Period01/02/202008/03/2020
Internet address

Artistic research

  • Yes

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