Internet-Zeitschrift für Kulturwissenschaften	17. Nr.	Mai 2010
Sektion 8.18.	Die mobile Gesellschaft Sektionsleiterin | Section Chair: Penka Angelova (Universität Veliko Tarnovo / Rousse, Bulgarien)
	Dokumentation | Documentation | Documentation			deutsch | english

Art projects by Rainer Prohaska with a focus
on modular and temporary architecture

Rainer Prohaska (Krems and Vienna/Austria) [BIO]

Email: mail@rainer-prohaska.net

Abstract:

Austrian artist Rainer Prohaska presented current projects which deal with modular temporary architecture: "Toy-Kit Architectures" are over dimensional sculptures and interventions which are made of tension belts and prefabricated elements from the field of constructions sites, and only exist for a certain period of time. "The 'Z'-Boats – Modular Barges" is a 2 month-project on the river Danube, where a simple wooden boat construction was extended to a swimming sculpture with material bought along the river.

In his speech Austrian artist Rainer Prohaska presented a selection of his current projects, which focus on modular and temporary architecture.

1. "Toy-Kit Architectures"

Under the term "Toy-Kit Architectures" artist Rainer Prohaska manufactures temporary sculptures, which can also be called modular architectural interferences. They are made of tension belts and prefabricated and already existing parts from the field of constructions sites. In the course of the time these parts do not turn into a collection of objects, but get developed to a component system, which extends step by step, in order to be able to create different constructions from universal usable basic elements and connection parts again and again.

The "Toy-Kit" as a toy of the 3rd Dimension

This system is inspired by component systems in toy format (Lego, Matador, Fischer technique). The crucial difference to the component systems in toy format is the dimension of the elements – for example wooden poles, aluminium trusses, plastic tubes and parts of scaffolds.

Transitoriness

After the exhibitions the "Toy-Kit Architectures" disappear completely. The sculptures are divided into their individual parts, in order to be available at a later moment as a basis for other works. The only remaining traces of these objects are analogue photos and sketches as documentation.

Until today sculptures and interventions named "Toy-Kit Architectures" were built on a Danube-ship, in Rauma/Finland, in Hamburg/Germany and in Krems/Austria. The adaptation in size and function follows the requirements and characteristics of the location.

"Building as a performative act"

Rainer Prohaska works with "activated groups of people as a stylistic device", initiates participatory projects, performances, and experiments with temporary sculptures as architectural interferences. Since "Creating as an aesthetic and linear process" is very important in his work, the performative act of building the "Toy-Kit Architectures" plays an important role. The building of the sculptures can be watched live and is documented online.

The "Building as a performative act" plays a crucial role also in Rainer Prohaska’s project "The 'Z'-Boats – Modular Barges":

2. "The 'Z'-Boats – Modular Barges"

The 'Z'-Boats – Modular Barges" is an art project, which started in August 2007 on the river Danube. In the course of a two month boat journey from Krems/Austria to Ruse/Bulgaria artist Rainer Prohaska and his crew built a swimming sculpture based on a simple frame construction.

Four crew members, Rainer Prohaska and three alternating guests, were involved in this project from August 1 to October 3 2007. The frame construction consisted of 3 wooden boats ("Zillen"), which were connected with aluminium trusses. The extensions of the sculpture took place during the trip on the river Danube. All used materials and objects where found, bought or exchanged in the regions along the river banks.

The requirements on this "work in progress" were social functions of the constructed elements (sanitary facilities, places to live and sleep, cooking and relaxing areas), as well as a modular architecture to adapt the construction to specific needs and to transport the whole boat to the exhibition locations. Connections were established exclusively with tension belts and cable straps.

The project is documented on the website www.rainer-prohaska.net/z/info.htm, and in several exhibitions, conferences and in a publication:

Exhibitions from November 2007 to September 2008:
Dom Kaneti - International Elias Canetti Foundation, Ruse, Bulgaria
Galeria Posibila, Bucharest, Romania
Kunsthalle, Krems an der Donau, Austria

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