Project

2005. José Dávila. MIRADOR NÓMADA (theoretical data)


The idea of this proposal is that participation at the Casa de América is not a piece of work to be mainly observed, but to invest that relation and use the piece of work so that the city of Madrid can be observed from it and the events of its urban daily life can be contemplated.

The aim is that of recognising and using the façade of the Casa de América as a strategic place of great qualities to observe one of the most emblematic urban points of Madrid, as is the Plaza de Cibeles, the paseo de Recoletos and Alcalá street; from a height and visual points which are not usually very easily accessible.

It proposes the temporary construction of (accessible and safe) scaffolding for use by the public in general who will be able to explore the different levels and areas of the structure.

The project is a piece of work which will bring the façade of the Casa de América and surrounding to life through its function and use, modifying the pre-existent relations of the citizens with the place.
It offers and proposes a different way of seeing the city and its architecture, a possibility to enter a more active dialogue with the urban landscape of Madrid.
The scaffolding covers up and signifies cycles of activity and change. They are sub-used, temporary urban spaces, nomadic viewpoint ( miradores nómadas ) which for a determined period of time offer specific views of the city which could not be seen in any other way, and usually go totally unnoticed.
An unnoticed general characteristic of Europe´s large cities is the large amount of scaffolding which stand out on their streets, areas in which they cover a large number of buildings and very frequently, the most emblematic of most historic buildings of the city).
Those who go by these areas of scaffolding can only appreciate something similar to the back of a mirror, converting them into places without a place. A building surrounded by scaffolding is usually a visual non-event of which the daily eye usually notices hardly anything.

The production strategy of this piece relates to the character of this programme and its exhibition; it’s made out of materials that can be “rented”, it’s an art work only due to its function and the experiences that it arouses. It’s the result of recycling consumer products. Once Madrid Abierto finishes there won’t be any wasted material, the scaffolding will be dismantled and will continue serving its regular purposes.
I consider this piece as an event that provides certain visual, audio and phenomenological experiences, rather than a sculpture of defined, permanent and material characteristics.

Formally the aesthetic of the piece will obey standard construction principles to build and assemble scaffoldings in general.
Formed by a group of volumes on different levels and covered by meshes of different colours.

 

 

 

 

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