“What is the ultimate place in which I would like to show my work?  As I was searching for the answer to that question, I started thinking about a series of atypical shows in major architectural places from the last century. This echoes the celebration of contemporary architects, of whom I created the statues for my personal exhibition in Versailles, in September 2009. Rather than the individuals, it is now with their work that I want to interact, creating specific situations for each construction.” Xavier Veilhan, Paris, 2011.

With Architectones (2012-2014) Xavier Veilhan returned to his favorite non-traditional exhibition format – installations and site-specific works in architecturally significant spaces. He took on the specters of modernism, altering the buildings through sculpture, music, light and the interaction between site and guests.

The project titled Architectones after Kazimir Malevich’s three-dimensional models, encompasses two years of artistic interventions in seven beacons of modern architecture worldwide: the VDL Research House, Case Study House No.21 and Sheats-Goldstein Residence in Los Angeles, the Cité Radieuse – MAMO in Marseille, the Sainte-Bernadette du Banlay church in Nevers, the Melnikov House in Moscow and the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion in Barcelona.

The eponymous book and documentary, presented at Palais de Tokyo, reunite the images, accounts and interviews of this adventure.

Nicolas Godin has accompanied the Architectones project since its beginnings by composing music for each chapter. For the occasion of the launch of the film and the book, he reprises live two of his compositions.

 

Architectones – Xavier Veilhan

Edited by Maura Lucking and François Perrin
Essays by Jean-Louis Cohen, Ingrid Luquet-Gad and Jan Tumlir
Published by SPA, design by Margo Graxeda
With the support of Jas Hennessy & Co and Consortium Unlimited Endowment Fund

Architectones by Xavier Veilhan

Written and directed by François Combin
Produced by URUBU Films
Length: 72 minutes HD

Xavier Veilhan is represented by Galerie Perrotin, Andréhn-Schiptjenko (Stockholm) and 313 Art Project (Seoul) and Galeria Nara Roesler (São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro)