Architecture Film Lab _ When one door opens
The MAXXI Architecture Film Lab, promoted and organized by MAXXI, takes shape starting from the growing recognition of this exciting contamination between languages and art forms which aims to develop new expressive tools and knowledge shared in the younger generation of architects and video artists. The program, which is part of the 2024 LINA Architecture Programme, included a series of lectures, meetings with artists and experts, as well as tutoring sessions aimed at creating short architectural video works. The group of participants - composed of architects and video artists - had the opportunity to explore the art of videomaking as a new way of investigating, questioning and reflecting on this year theme: movement in architecture or architecture in motion.
The MAXXI Architecture Film Lab gave participants the tools to analyze the topic from various points of view in the attempt to provide possible answers to the questions: how does movement define space? How does architecture generate or follow movement? How does the relationship between space and movement influence the way we perceive it? What can be considered “mobile” architecture today? How does movement influence the space we live in and the way we design it? How can instability become a valuable character in contemporary architecture?
Ewa Effiom - When one door opens
WHEN ONE DOOR OPENS emerges as an exploration of the intricate dynamics between authorship, representation, and history. Drawing inspiration from the groundbreaking methodologies of Arthur Jafa and the evocative aesthetics of Christian Marclay. Eschewing from the conventional confines of mainstream cinema, the filmwork delves deep into the rich tapestry of found footage, excavating and appropriating the untold narratives embedded within race films predominantly from the period immediately after the pre-Code era. In this respect it presents itself as a counterpoint to established somewhat one-dimensional work of Marclay. Through a, seemingly circuitous, narrative lens, WHEN ONE DOOR OPENS challenges conventional notions of identity and belonging, inviting viewers to confront the complexities of historical representation. Each frame serves as a portal to a bygone era, where characters navigate through the architectural spaces of both literal and metaphorical significance. The film's exploration of movement within these spaces resonates with profound symbolism, illustrating the transformative power of cinematic storytelling. Ultimately, standing as a testament to the enduring allure of cinema as a medium for capturing and reimagining the complexities of human experience.
