Opening 01/07/2008 7 p.m.
02/07/2008 – 30/08/2008


Press release

Engholm Engelhorn gallery is proud to present the first solo exhibition by utopian architect Eduardo Longo from Brasil.

Eduardo Longo has developed one hundred and twenty projects, including that remain theoretical and not yet constructed. He belongs to a generation of architects which, beginning in the second half of the twentieth century, began a process of questioning and searching for new paths of architectural expression distinct from the paradigms of the Modernist movement.

But it was the Ball House, today considered an icon of contemporary architecture, which gave him the most visibility both at home and internationally.

In 1972, Longo decided to construct a ball-house maquette in 8:10 scale to be built on top of his home/office. A process then began which culminated in the transformation of the maquette into the architect’s new residence. In order to be able to build the ball within legal property restrictions, the original diameter of ten meters was reduced to eight, something which can be observed in the compactness and Franciscan-like austerity of the three suites, living room, lavatory, kitchen, maid’s room and laundry room.

The exhibition features original plans, sketches and drawings from 1970 on and will show also a two meter diameter ball which was made in order to help understand a project for an auditorium in Sao Paolo. It rested on top of the ball in which Eduardo Longo has lived for many years.

Longos work, rich in conceptual, behavioral and technical-constructive ideas, underlines his ability to combine, in a unique manner, the rebellious behavior of the 1960 and 70s with the monastic rigor of medieval craft corporations.

For further information about the exhibition please contact Kerstin Engholm on +43 1 585 7337.