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Step back into the 1960s with an Italian icon
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ONE of the most renowned architecture groups in Italy, Superstudio launched its first complete retrospective in China at Shanghai’s Power Station of Art.
Founded in Florence in 1966, Superstudio has been influential ever since it presented its first show, “Superarchitettura,” in Pistoia the same year. It was a major part of the “radical design movement” of the late 1960s. Re-establishing architecture as an instrument of political, social and cultural critique, they drafted bold manifestoes and designs and experimented with collage, music, performance art, furniture, graphic design, zines, installations, events and exhibitions.
The group never finished an actual building, yet its influences and impact are felt in multiple present-day disciplines including architecture, design, art and philosophy.
“For them, architecture is a form of thinking,” says curator Gabriele Mastrigli. “It is a philosophy more than simply a building technique. Thus the exhibition is a critical reflection about their contribution to architecture and about architecture itself.”
Now, 50 years from its launch, this retrospective presents over 200 works by the Florentine group in a chronological order that covers the group’s entire career and development.
Coming to Asia for the first time, videos of the studio are a highlight of the exhibition. Five films of the Fundamental Acts (1971-73) will be screened, covering topics of life, education, ceremony, love and death. It was Superstudio’s most ambitious attempt to tackle the relationship between life and design.
In addition, visitors get to see some of the most important drawings, photomontages and installations from projects including the “Continuous Monument” series (1969), the “Architectural Histograms” (1969-70) and the “Twelve Ideal Cities” (1971), through which the group demonstrated the possibilities and limits of architecture understood as instrument of a critique of society.
There is also a number of Superstudio’s iconic design objects such as the Bazaar (1969) and the Sofa (1968), produced by Giovanetti and Poltronova respectively — all symbols of the group’s long-standing influence that can still be seen in today’s design scene.
Date: Through March 11 (closed on Mondays), 11am-7pm
Tickets: 60 yuan
Venue: Power Station of Art
Address: 200 Huayuangang Rd
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