SCHOOL OF FINE ART OPEN LECTURE
Wednesday 30th January 4.30 pm
OLD MINING LECTURE THEATRE
OFFICE for SUBVERSIVE ARCHITECTURE
osa (Office for Subversive Architecture) comprises a European network of creative individuals. Bernd Truempler from Munich and Karsten Huneck, now based in London, met whilst working as architects at Norman Foster’s practice and now work on art interventions, television programmes and architectural projects worldwide.
The Accumulator by osa is a major art intervention to be held at the now vacated Leeds International Pool, St Paul’s Street, Leeds from 22 February-23 March 2008 (open Thurs – Sun).
Osa will be giving a talk about this project and their wider practice to staff and students of the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies
The Accumulator focuses on the building as a landmark in the city and its former use as a public space.
The installation work transforms the former swimming pool into a virtual water collector and raises questions about resources and sustainability based on current discussions on climate change. However, at the same time it symbolises an emotional charge of an important public space in the city.
Conversions in the city are often necessary to react to changes in the society and technical standards.
Leeds International Swimming Pool, which was constructed in 1965-67, exhibits all the ‘swank’ and ‘jauntiness’ of the swinging sixties. This is also reflected in the shape of the funnel which has the virtual function to create a gateway to discussions about standards for modern buildings. Now that the building is deemed not to be energy efficient and would need extensive repair the decision has been made to demolish the building.
Alongside the formal and technical qualities of a building there is always an emotional connection between the space and the users due to personal experiences and memories. This so called emotional charge of a space has been particularly revealed by the fact that the pool will be demolished. Images of the former use of the building and site specific information will demonstrate this and allows the former users to exchange their experiences and say good bye to the building.
This public pool now becomes not only a virtual water collector but also a big emotional accumulator in the city for the next 4 weeks.