Imprint
Imprint
Methodology
Location
Orientation
In this work I focus on the walls, since these are the main
carriers and primarily host the hierarchy of a space.
Walk
Documentation
(Re)presentation
lapses
1st
2nd
3rd
2nd
1st
Reconstruction
Gym
The first view, a wall across the entrance, marks the east side
of the space. It is split in half horizontally, the top consisting
of windows while the bottom is a blind wall. The floor is sunk
into the ground and passersby outside can see through the
windows, although they dont seem to notice. The blind wall
contains rhythmic details which shimmer as one moves through
the space. It turns out to be a big closet with locks.
Four ventilation grids are divided over the length.
Facing the north is a big blank wall full of texture which can only
be distinguished from close by. The space, however, allows
a distance from which the wall is just very rough and full of
shadows. Towards the ground, there is a ditch which disrupts
the overall surface texture. Upon close examination, the wall
consists of various layers which reveal that the bricks used to
be bright yellow. Now, they are just grey. Like the first, the west
wall of the space is split in half. In stark contrast to the north
wall, a lot of things are going on here. The top half reveals itself
as a partition which allows the sounds of the canteen to enter.
Another part of the wall is smooth, painted. However, close to
the floor thick drops of paint have clustered. They contrast nicely
with the smooth surface and reveal the job done.
The fourth wall at the south mirrors the north wall with thick
layers of paint overlaying bricks. But off-centered onto it is a
big white surface which makes the wall either bigger or smaller,
it is hard to determine which. The similarity between the two
opposing walls, north and south, demands an examination of
their differences. My eye catches the part with a forgotten piece
of tape, perhaps from a removed artwork. Its hidden beneath
the paint.
small staircase
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The north wall is right away the first wall you face, the same
rhythmic columns, the radiators. Only the view is different.
This space has curtains, of which half seem to be broken. The
columns show some holes with plugs in the concrete.
The concrete surrounding the plugs has brittled off.
The east wall is clearly being used as the front wall, with its
freshly painted white surface. In the corner, there are two big
holes where the radiator penetrates the wall. The holes are
too big for the pipes that run through them. You can hear the
conversations on the staircase, the neighboring space, through
the holes. Turning towards the entrance, I face the south wall.
There is a built-in cabinet and underneath, a ventilation grid.
Its tempting to count how many holes the grid contains. On the
column, right away on the left side of the entrance, is again
the circle which seems to be all over the building. This time its
white. Above the circle is a big ditch in the column.
The west wall consists of fixed partition walls between slim
columns. These walls are removable despite looking permanent.
They take up two-thirds of the wall, while the upper part contains
windows. Their blinds are down which creates a glossy and
reflecting effect on the windows which is in stark contrast to the
matte wall. In the corner where west and north meet, the radiator
penetrates as well the concrete wall, exactly as on the opposite
side of the space. Yet here the holes have been covered up
neatly.
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The north wall permits the entrance to the space. It is the same
one which also holds the built-in cabinets, an unused sink and
a built-in glass display. The cabinets are painted, again, grey
with some irregularities and shimmering details revealing their
function. The lower half of the wall is disrupted by two ventilation
grids. Yet these grids are different ones from the other space.
The east wall consists of partition walls between the same slim
columns and windows as in the other space. But this time the
blinds are in the space, hiding the windows. The blinds have a
different colour grey then the wall.
There are big windows facing the south through which the sun
heats the space to an uncomfortable temperature. Despite the
warm temperature, the radiators work regularily as well. This
time theyre off.
The west is a mirrored version of the east wall. Also on this side
the blinds are in front the window. Strings with plastic beads
serve to pull the blinds up or to let them down.
It resembles a pearl necklace.
The space is a bit darker and colder then the rest of the
building. The windows face the north. Nevertheless the wall is
filled with curtains, of which half seem broken. On the columns,
which separate the view, a velcro strip is implemented on the
concrete where the curtains can be attached to. A thoroughly
thought about detail. Below I find small wooden blocks attached
to the column. They are painted grey and are not on every
column. Their function is hard to determine.
The windowsill invites to sit on it. From the corner theres a nice
perspective over the space. The east wall, to the left now, is
very calm in comparison to the other, darker, walls. Its white
and on the ceiling is a beamer attached facing towards this
wall. Obviously the front wall in this space. The windowsill
gives an effect of a niche. A subtle boarder is framing the
windowsill alongside the wall and ceiling. The wall in this niche
is painted gray again, contrasting the big white wall which is in
its extension. Slightly above the radiator, which penetrates the
white wall here, is a messy plastering been done to cover the
holes. The strokes are visible.
The south wall, where the entrance is, has a lot of resemblance
to the other spaces. With closed closets and in the corner to the
west wall is an unused sink. To the left of the entrance a very
subtle disruption in the surface is visible. After some inspections
theres no doubt, theres a piece of wallpaper glued on the wall.
From a distance not noticeable because it is painted in the same
gray colour.