“ The lightweight polycarbonate cylindrical façade filters and reflects the hues of the water and greenery .
STUDIO OSSIDIANA the art pavilion . They intentionally approached young architects that had not seen any of their designs being constructed . Almere is built on the ideas of a group of recently graduated urban planners who formed a creative think tank in the early 1970s . An expert selection committee unanimously chose Studio Ossidiana ’ s conceptual but accessible design . Alessandra Covini and Giovanni Belloti , the young duo behind Studio Ossidiana , drew up a plan that appeals to all the senses and refers to Almere ’ s tradition of pioneering and experimenting . The resulting pavilion is a work of art , fitting in seamlessly with the province ’ s extensive array of land art , which will become part of M ’ s collection .
WATER AND SOIL
Studio Ossidiana was inspired by the sea that the province of Flevoland replaced and by the Weerwater Lake , where the pavilion would float . Their design features three circles : The Port , The Stage , and The Observatory . The Port is a ring-shaped promenade on the water that visitors can walk on and that allows for outdoor programming . It ’ s made from a custom-designed terrazzo using shells , mussels , clay , and charcoal , found in Flevoland ’ s soil . The Stage is an island with a terrace that will drift like a floating platform in strong winds . The Observatory , located on the third circular platform , has two exhibition spaces . It offers a dreamy view from the inside and out . The lightweight polycarbonate cylindrical façade filters and reflects the hues of the water and greenery . The visitors ’ silhouettes cast through the façade ’ s carefully designed openings create an artistic spectacle .
MUSEUM FOR IMMERSIVE ART
M . is a prelude to a new icon for Almere and Flevoland , a precursor to a nationally and internationally renowned museum to be established in Almere in the next five to ten years if the pilot is a success . The museum-to-be wants to make immersive and landscape art accessible to everyone , with or without prior knowledge of art . As the name suggests , visitors will be immersed in the art shown . They will be drawn into it , become part of it , or even participate in its creation . The first expo in the pavilion is NaturAlly : Wild Futures , currently on display . It features the work
of five emerging artists who show their vision of the wild nature of the future . Visitors can walk among trees on heels , travel along in a diorama to a pink underwater world , see how machines help birds build their nests , and watch a modern version of primordial soup outside on the terrace .
Outside of the pavilion , M . also introduces the art to audiences in public spaces . In the center of Almere , two empty stores have been converted into immersive art installations . Here , visitors can contribute with paint by numbers to a huge panorama depicting the green Almere of the future or wander through a maze with art by various local artists .
ART AS A TOOL FOR RESEARCH
M . wants to reach out to new audiences , not only younger ones but also people who have no previous knowledge of art . To explore and research how to best accomplish this , they have developed a comprehensive educational program for primary and higher education that is currently being tested . By engaging and questioning students , they aim to identify what triggers and moves them to help shape the museum ’ s future plans . In addition , some of the work shown is used to research the needs of the public . Nieuw Flevo Peil , a temporary interactive water sculpture on display in a lake in downtown Almere , was powered by heartbeats collected from residents of Flevoland . While collecting these heartbeats , participants were asked what makes their hearts beat faster . The answers to this question are used in artwork to be commissioned by M . in the near future .
FLORIADE EXPO 2022
Currently , M ’ s pavilion sits at the heart of the world horticultural exhibition Floriade Expo 2022 . After the expo , the site will be developed into Hortus , an innovative , sustainable residential development , with M . as a key attraction .
Photos : Riccardo de Vecchi for M . jijbentm . art /
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