‘pausa’ installation urban parks, coal heaps, railway stations, noise barriers, motorways and housing estates are all part of observatorium’s field of operations. the dutch company consists of three artists who have developed a philosophy – to make the grey areas and interfaces of urban design, landscape architecture and architecture productive. using sculpture and installations they create pieces that provide functional facilities.

for the venice architecture biennale they created the ‘pausa’ installation. located outdoors

the installation provided an overview of observatorium’s works from 1997 -2008. through photographs by geert van de camp, drawings by ruud reutelingsperger and narratives by andre dekker, visitors were able to gain an insight of the different small to large scale projects and how they were used by the public.

venice architecture biennale 08: pausa by observatorium ‘pausa’ installation was located behind the italian pavillion image © observatorium

venice architecture biennale 08: pausa by observatorium the installation was an outdoor museumvenice architecture biennale 08: pausa by observatorium andre dekker image © designboom

venice architecture biennale 08: pausa by observatorium ‘sanatorium de aruzen’, 2003

in 2003 they designed the ‘sanatorium de aruzen’ installation. located in a 17th century orchard the installation was part of louis van de meijden annual art show. using the theme of delft blue they covered all the apple trees with blue nets and lined up 14 single beds according to the geometrical shape of the orchard. the beds were painted white and had covers made from the same netting of the trees. the project allowed people with lung problems to relax and experience the outdoors.

venice architecture biennale 08: pausa by observatorium people relaxing in beds

more: observatorium: http://www.observatorium.org venice architecture biennale: http://www.labiennale.org