Completed in 2003 the Kunsthaus Graz is a strange and yet very striking building. Affectionately dubbed the "Friendly Alien" by its creators its amoebic like form is a perfect example of what is sometimes termed "blob architecture" or "Blobitecture". The building was designed by architects Peter Cook and Colin Fournier and they had more up their sleeve than just the creativity of the building's organic form when they formulated their plans. The entire eastern side of the building forms a high tech visual ...
KUNSTHAUS GRAZ
Lendkai 1, 8020 Graz, Austria
47° 4'17.25"N 15°26'2.71"E
No Google Maps "Street View" Available - Not Included In Google Earth Tour
... display that faces the Mur River and the city center; the BIX Media Facade is a stunning fusion of architecture and the latest media technology.
Since 1985 the European Union has designated cities in member states "European Capitals Of Culture". The program was created to:
- highlight the richness and diversity of European cultures
- celebrate the cultural ties that link Europeans together
- bring people from different European countries into contact with each other's culture and promote mutual understanding
- foster a feeling of European citizenship.
In 2003 the European Capital of Culture was Graz, Austria. Kunsthaus Graz was constructed as a part of the celebrations and exhibitions that went along with the yearlong celebration of European Culture. I think that I for one would likely have thought Cook and Fournier somewhat crazy had I seen plans for the Kunsthaus Graz before it's construction. I simply could not have had the vision to realize that instead of looking ugly and out of place amongst the baroque red tile roofs of Graz the building actually manages to merge with and enhance the cityscape. It is probably that type of vision that separates the average architect from the truly extraordinary architect.
The Kunsthaus Gras is primarily an exhibition space but there are no permanent collections; instead the establishment aims to offer an ever changing array of exhibits of modern and contemporary art from the last 50 years or so.
There is no Google "Street View" but I did manage to snag a couple of nice screen shots from the "Bird's Eye" view in Bing Maps which are actually quite cool. On the video tab there are a couple of videos which show the BIX Media Facade in action; while I think the videos probably give a good idea of what the displays look like I think that to get a true feel for what the Kunsthaus Graz is all about you would need to visit in person; maybe one day. In the meantime I will conent myself with the videos and the excellent book "Peter Cook And Colin Fournier: Friendly Alien".
