geometrics in art and architecture
11 april – 20 june 2024

ammann//gallery is thrilled to announce its new exhibition, geometrics in art and architecture, featuring a curated selection of artworks by hélène binet, frauke dannert, alessandro mendini, studio nucleo and ettore sottsass. as a special guest, a unique acrylic relief by georg hornemann will welcome the visitors at the gallery entrance.

historically, geometric shapes have been an indispensable element of art and architecture. artists have skillfully utilised these shapes to create compositions that exude balance, symmetry, and harmony. in architecture, geometry is a core element that plays a crucial role in design and construction. geometry drives architectural choices, and architectural innovation can also facilitate the emergence of new ideas in geometry, from bauhaus, a celebration of simple geometric forms as the essence of natural and organic shapes, to expressionist architecture, which tended toward abstraction and distorted forms to emphasise symbolic and emotional expressions.

architectural photographer hélène binet’s intimate understanding of architecture is evident in how she conjures up the spirit of space through light, shadow and texture. binet captures the quintessence and nuance of the buildings but simultaneously reveals a new perspective for a contemporary audience.

the exhibition features an abstract photograph by hélène binet of the vitra firestation by star architect zaha hadid, the first woman to receive the pritzker prize (2004). hadid gained fame for her futuristic style, which features curved facades, sharp angles, and tough materials such as concrete and steel. the vitra fire station was hadid’s first building in 1993. it was cast in concrete and composed of layered linear walls and roof elements.

selected works from hélène binet’s böhm series, initially commissioned by the makk museum in cologne in 2020, display different perspectives on the well-known churches by celebrated german architect and pritzker price recipient gottfried böhm. his work features strong geometry and spatial complexity, experimenting with form and materials such as steel, glass, brick, and concrete to suit each project. the st matthäus church has a varied ceiling geometry due to gradations and slopes. at the same time, the st gertrud church features numerous protrusions and recesses that rise from an irregular polygonal floor plan. binet masterfully accentuates light and shadow to amplify the visual impact of the ecclesiastical buildings, revealing intriguing shapes and forms.

frauke dannert is a german artist fascinated by architectural space and the art of collage. through her work, she dissects architectural structures, examines their sculptural potential, and highlights specific features while challenging preconceived structural assumptions. dannert’s creations are an interplay between organic and architectural elements and a balance between illusion and reality, achieved by manipulating the depicted building materials‘ size and shape.

german artist and internationally acclaimed jewellery designer georg hornemann explores flora and fauna themes, seeking to simplify natural forms while emphasising the ornamental. in addition to nature, his work is influenced by fairy tales, architecture, and contemporary art. the ‚flower‘ acrylic relief depicts simple forms converging to an abstract flower arrangement image. hornemann’s acrylic relief showcases the principle of illuminating surfaces with light, giving an intangible appearance. black and white add charisma to the work, emphasising the symbiotic relationship between material and colour. hornemann’s sculptures envelop the viewer, making them part of the artistic dialogue.

italian collaborative studio nucleo first presented the primitive series in 2009. the series‘ premise is to create unique handcrafted pieces that reduce aggregated forms of elementary geometry, thereby defining and deconstructing them. the pieces are coarse and wild objects made from enforced cardboard structures covered with epoxy resin, which reveals the intricate imperfections of the artwork’s surfaces. recently, the studio has developed the primitive series even further by finding a new process that allows the pieces to be used in outdoor settings, and the exhibition premieres two mint green coffee tables from this collection.

the design style of the italian 80s features geometric and often asymmetrical shapes, bright colours, extravagant and original lines, low-value materials, waste, and a prevalence of plastic. this style is lively, cheerful, optimistic, and fun, with an ironic taste. it prioritises aesthetics over function and focuses on everyday life’s happier, more enjoyable aspects. alessandro mendini designed ‚pavonia‘ from the museum market collection for the design gallery milano in 1993. the armchair has a dark blue wooden frame and upholstery with colourful, overlapping geometric shapes. other historical pieces in the exhibition are the side tables ‚gopuram‘ and ‚rosa giallo e bianco‘ by ettore sottsass, designed in 1988 for the design gallery milanos bharata collection.