Exhibiting together for the first time and selected from a longlist of nominated artists, designers and architects,
Holly Hendry, Chris Hildrey, Lawrence Lek and Public Practice represent four very different UK-based practices. A professional track record, a need and a desire to push the boundaries of how we can explore, experience and create space in its many forms, were all criteria against which they were shortlisted.
This exhibition enables visitors to gain an understanding of the current work and preoccupations of these four experimental practices. From artist Holly Hendry whose non-traditional architectural approach is permeated by a fascination with rear spaces and open cracks to Public Practice, a social enterprise founded by Pooja Agrawal and Finn Williams to improve the quality of everyday places by building the public sector’s capacity of proactive planning. Exploring radical constructions that challenge our conception of space as an interface, current work by Lawrence Lek looks at the changing nature of architectural experience through new technologies such as real-time computer graphics, while Chris Hildrey displays his ongoing project ProxyAddress, which uses local data to provide homeless people with stable addresses in order to access vital services in London.
The award was judged by architect Amanda Levete, curator and writer Justin McGuirk and, Minimaforms’ director, educator and head of the Design Research Lab at the AA, Theodore Spyropoulos. Each of them were instrumental in making the decision and in the selection process for the 2019 award. The winner, who will receive £10,000 along with four other awards in different artforms, will be announced at the Arts Foundation Awards 2019, which will take place at the ICA on Monday 28 January. The runners up will each receive £1,000 to support them and their creative practice.
The Arts Foundation would like to thank Theodore Spyropolous and the Architectural Association for its support of this project.
Image: Lawrence Lek : Geomancer. Commissioned for the 2017 Jerwod FVU Award. Courtesy Sadie Coles HQ.