Inversions: Contemporary Art Inspired by the Architecture of Louis Kahn
October 19 – November 10, 2019
Organized by MW Projects
Gallery RIVAA, 527 Main St, New York, NY

The open call for artist submissions closed on August 9th. All entries will be reviewed, selected and notified by September 9th.


OPEN CALL FOR ARTIST SUBMISSIONS

“Kahn’s architecture is full of inversions: masses which suddenly seem weightless, materials which dissolve into immateriality; structures which reverse load and support; rays of light which reveal the realm of shadows; solids which turn out to be voids.”
-- William J.R. Curtis

Artists are invited to submit works for a group exhibition of contemporary art inspired by the architecture of Louis Kahn and the idea of inversions.  The exhibition is organized by MW Projects, with support from the Consulate General of Estonia in New York, and will be held in New York City in Fall 2019.

Born in Estonia in 1901, Louis Kahn was one of the most important architects of the second half of the 20th century.  His work includes the Salk Institute (La Jolla, CA), National Assembly Building (Dhaka, Bangladesh), Phillips Exeter Academy Library (Exeter, NH) and Four Freedoms Park (New York, NY).   Known for combining Modernism with the weight and dignity of ancient monuments, Kahn used simple shapes and simple materials to build preternaturally beautiful structures that sought to create transcendent experience.  He believed that structure, space and light must always be in harmony, and that it is through the material that we can understand the immaterial and universal.

All art forms will be considered for the exhibition, including painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, music, performance art, dance and media art.  There are also opportunities for live performances during the run of the exhibition.  Artists are encouraged to investigate the conceptual underpinnings of Kahn’s works and words, rather than using images of Kahn’s designs and buildings.

All entries will be reviewed, selected and notified by Monday, September 9, 2019.

Please see below for recommended viewing and reading.

(Images: © Arne Maasik)



Gallery RIVAA is a 2000 square foot gallery operated by Roosevelt Island Visual Art Association and is located in the heart of Roosevelt Island, a short distance from Four Freedoms Park, the only work in New York City designed by Louis Kahn. For more information about the gallery, please visit www.rivaa.com.