Particular Contemplation

Particular Contemplation
© ITS – Ivo Tavares Studio

PARTICULAR CONTEMPLATION

Maria Souto de Moura

ARCHITECTS
Maria Souto de Moura

MANUFACTURERS
Amorim, Banema, Traços Rigorosos

PAINTER AND CLIENT
Antonio Gonçalves

PHOTOGRAPHS
ITS – Ivo Tavares Studio

AREA
60 m²

YEAR
2017

LOCATION
Lisboa, Portugal

CATEGORY
Cultural Architecture, Small Scale

Text description provided by architect.

The project was conceived with the exclusive intention of receiving a polyptych. A piece composed by a set of mobile and fixed panels, built on a single support.

Particular Contemplation
© ITS – Ivo Tavares Studio
Particular Contemplation
© ITS – Ivo Tavares Studio

Traditionally associated with sacred art, the art piece does not represent religious themes, but is instead of an erotic nature.

It is in this ambiguity between the sacred and the profane that this project emerges.

Particular Contemplation
© ITS – Ivo Tavares Studio
Particular Contemplation
© ITS – Ivo Tavares Studio

The polyptych, a 5 by 3.5 metres symmetrical composition, imposes a distant but direct first contact. The entrance was thought of as an additional feature to avoid an immediate confrontation with the contemplation space. 

A bifurcated path leads and positions the observer in front of the painting, only from within the space.

Particular Contemplation
© ITS – Ivo Tavares Studio
Particular Contemplation
© ITS – Ivo Tavares Studio
Particular Contemplation
© ITS – Ivo Tavares Studio

A characteristic associated with the Islamic architecture, in way the arrival to a place of worship is prepared.

The entrance is narrow and enclosed by diagonal planes, in contrast to the contemplation space.

The lack of light dissolves the perception of the spatial boundaries, thereby becoming an undefined and infinite scene.

Particular Contemplation
© ITS – Ivo Tavares Studio
Particular Contemplation
© ITS – Ivo Tavares Studio
Particular Contemplation
© ITS – Ivo Tavares Studio

The existing light is cut-out by the painting, standing out as a singular element floating in the dark backdrop of the walls and ceiling.

The sound of footsteps on the wooden floor is part of the theatricality of the assembly, referring to the ambience of a religious space.

From the outside, one clearly perceives the composition of the two volumes.

Particular Contemplation
© ITS – Ivo Tavares Studio
Particular Contemplation
© ITS – Ivo Tavares Studio
Particular Contemplation
© ITS – Ivo Tavares Studio

The entrance of a bloodstained colour penetrates the contemplation space, whereas the cork skin reinforces the anthropomorphic texture of the piece.


Particular Contemplation
© ITS – Ivo Tavares Studio
Particular Contemplation
© ITS – Ivo Tavares Studio
Particular Contemplation
© ITS – Ivo Tavares Studio
Particular Contemplation
© ITS – Ivo Tavares Studio
Particular Contemplation
© ITS – Ivo Tavares Studio
Particular Contemplation
© ITS – Ivo Tavares Studio
Particular Contemplation
© ITS – Ivo Tavares Studio
Particular Contemplation
© ITS – Ivo Tavares Studio
Particular Contemplation
© ITS – Ivo Tavares Studio


Particular Contemplation
Model 1
Particular Contemplation
Model 2
Particular Contemplation
Model 3
Particular Contemplation
Model 4


Particular Contemplation
Model
Particular Contemplation
Drawings
Particular Contemplation
Sketches