alex schweder la: performance architecture

‘stability’ installation at lawrimore project, seattle, washington, 2009 all images courtesy of alex schweder la

berlin and seattle-based architect alex schweder la creator of ‘performance architecture’, manipulated small-scale occupied spaces which alter the perception between visitors and their environments. the constantly shifting or peculiarly scaled installations intend to bring attention to the connection between a subject and architecture. over the course of the architect’s career, a series of international exhibitions with site-specific creations have challenged the boundaries of reality and reverie, eventually blurring their division and producing a new experience.

the ‘stability’ installation featured a conceptual dwelling for two individuals which shifted in sea-saw motion as the inhabitants moved about within their half. communication and collaboration between them is necessary to balance the weight and create a level floor plane. the ‘snowballing doorway’ features two stacked and mirrored portals which are inflated and deflated in an alternating manner. visitors are first introduced with a narrow and passable doorway and then presented with an inverted and inherently blocked passage. alex schweder la will give a lecture at the gopher hole, an architecture, art, music and design venue located in shoreditch, east london, england.

this temporary habitable dwelling shifts on a central pivot in a sea-saw motion as occupants move inside

‘snowballing doorway’ installation at the warehouse gallery, syracuse, new york, 2008

stacked portals are in the process of revolving, deflating and inflating again

accessible portal is currently inflated

‘counterweight roommate’ installation, collaboration with ward shelley at scope basel, 2011

‘sac of rooms all day long’ installation at the SFMOMA, san francisco, california, 2009

(left) transparent plastic doorways (right) inflated stairway

‘evaporative building’ video projection exhibition in marfa texas, 2009

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