SPATIAL PARTITURE – Meeting Spaces
Spatial transformation & exhibition design for José María García de Paredes exhibition at Museo ICO. Dates: 02.10.2024 > 12.01.2025
The project proposes a "space of encounter" that integrates various exhibition formats—plans, photographs, paintings, sculptures, models, letters, and sketches—forming an open and undefined graphical atlas.
Based on the architect's essentiality and constructive sincerity, a modular, adaptable, and reusable exhibition system is proposed using a single element: pine-wood battens. It unfolds and adapts perimetrically on both levels of the Museum, transforming the spatiality and allowing flexibility in the placement of the works, enabling both the system and content to adapt to diverse situations. As a "spatial partiture", the horizontal battens support the "musical notes" (documents and works) that form the "melodies" (projects) and "compositions" (themes).
The system adapts to the existing walls with the battens placed vertically, facilitating assembly and separation for hanging works. Also, by the means of batten frames, the space is transformed when needed, absorbing pillars and residual areas, and geometrically balancing the exhibition space to create a neutral nave. The areas 'between frames', with a dark surface, allow access like a 'backstage', where the construction systems can be appreciated by users.
In the centre of the main hall, a 12m long, light and transparent, modular and removable artefact contrasts with the perimeter and acts as a circulation rotunda, displaying 216 sketches that synthesise the architect's thinking and process.
The architecture of García de Paredes is presented in six “thematic encounters” that fuse architectural, artistic and musical relationships. The itinerary guides the visitor from the first floor to the ground floor, offering a progressive sensorial experience. The perimeter background is constant, while the horizontal plane changes in acoustic absorption and tonality, emulating the sequential access to an auditorium.
CREDITS
Curator: Ángela García de Paredes
Architects/Exhibition Design: STUDIO PACHÓN–PAREDES in collaboration with Manuel García de Paredes
Exhibition Design Team: Benedetta Conforti, Dani Delgado
Curatorial team: Ignacio García Pedrosa, Manuel García de Paredes, Inés García de Paredes, Luis G. Pachón
