"This book is an extension of 'Concrete Jungle and The Parrot's Tale,' part of Star Fairy, Hong Kong's representation at the 52nd Venice Biennale, under the curatorship of Norman Ford, June-October 2007." Map Office was founded by Laurent Gutierrez and Valerie Portefaix, French architects and town planners based in Hong Kong. Their practice is a collaborative research and design studio involved in cross-disciplinary projects that incorporate architecture and the visual arts, focusing on the socio-political aspects of contemporary architecture. Gutierrez is Assistant Professor at the School of Design, Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Portefaix is Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Department of Architecture, Hong Kong University. Includes bibliographical references.
Contents:
Concrete jungle: visual essay / Gutierrez + Portefaix -- The parrot's tale: Ai Weiwei explores MAP Office -- Personal island: project by MAP Office.
Summary:
How should Hong Kong be represented? This question found an answer through Concrete Jungle / The Parrot's Tale, a large-scale installation by MAP Office for the 2007 Venice Biennale. Beginning with a steamy, mist-filled island, roughly in the shape of Hong Kong and constructed in the courtyard of the Hong Kong Pavilion, that was covered in oyster shells and inhabited by fake talking parrots, the work problematized the act of representation itself. This volume is an extension of MAP's Venice project and includes documentation of the complex process behind the fabrication of this much-talked-about artwork. Critical dialogues with Beijing artist Ai Weiwei complete the picture.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.