No its not the loveley uk Catalogue getting all cultural but an arts centre in Brussels

MVRDV, Hegeneiland, Housing and Masterplan, Ypenburg, Netherlands, 2001. Photo: Rob ‘t Hart

Argos is proud to present the first Belgian exhibition of the internationally acclaimed Rotterdam-based architects MVRDV. The exhibition follows the refurbishment of Argos’ new exhibition space by MVRDV and aims to introduce the work of the group in a broader framework. MVRDV was set up in 1991 by Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs and Nathalie de Vries. Over the years MVRDV have become internationally known for their designs and studies in the fields of architecture, urbanism, landscape design, and particularly for their exploration of density, urban data, open space and the environmental impact of building and architecture. LINK

The architecture of MVRDV doesn't merely limit itself to issues about building, but is also concerned with the conceptual investigation and analysis of each assignment. In that sense MVRDV have also become known for their innovative spatial paradigms, socially engaged approach to architecture, and - in particular - for their radical methodical research on density and public realms. Parts of MVRDV’s architectural production over the last ten years can be positioned within this ambition of enlarging densities. Through investigation and use of the complex amounts of data that accompany contemporary design processes, MVRDV finally shape their spaces. The ‘products’ of this approach can vary completely; they range from buildings of all types and sizes, to urban designs, publications and installations, video works as well as the development of software programs.

The exhibition at Argos, entitled ‘Piece by Piece’, will illustrate the multifaceted practice of MVRDV through the inclusion of maquettes, photographs, drawings, materials and videos and will demonstrate the multi-dimensional, research-based nature of their approach to architecture and design.

Since the group was founded in 1991 MVRDV have built, taught, published and exhibited all over the world. MVRDV have also won numerous prizes for their work including the Marcus Coporation Prize (USA, 2005), the Mies van der Rohe Award of the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture (2001) and the Fritz Schumacher Prize (Germany, 2000). LINK

Ana Torfs developed the installation ‘ANATOMY’ during her residency at DAAD, Berlin (2005/06). As with many of Torfs’ other works the starting point for this project originates in text: the record of the proceedings of the trial of the murders of Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg — founders of the German communist party — held in May 1919 in Berlin. Ana Torfs selected testimonies from this trial to compose “A Tragedy in Two Acts,” the literary script for her project. Twenty-five young German actors were chosen to re-enact these testimonies while filmed on video. Through twenty-five versions of the “truth” a fragmented, variable and constantly shifting idea of the last hours of the lives of Liebknecht and Luxemburg emerges. Another seven “models” posed for the artist for black-and-white slide photographs in the demonstration room of the Anatomical Theatre in Berlin, a building which is ideally suited to Torfs’ ‘anatomy’: the scene of so many dissections and analyses, i t reflects various aspects of her own artistic process as she scrutinises the historical texts. The result is an installation that interlinks large-screen slide projections with video images on two monitors. The actors on video recite the testimonies in German. Over wireless headphones the visitor can hear an English version spoken by an interpreter; there is no clear divide between naked fact and its interpretation, between fact and fiction. Any story is almost invariably coloured by language.

Over the years, Ana Torfs (born 1963, Belgium) has gained international recognition for her work and has participated in numerous exhibitions worldwide such as the Lyon and Montreal Biennials (1995, 2000). Solo exhibitions have also been held at the Palais des Beaux-Arts (Brussels, 2000), Roomade (Brussels, 2004), GAK: Gesellschaft fur Aktuelle Kunst (Bremen, 2006), DAAD Galerie (Berlin, 2006). In 2004 Torfs created the web project ‘Approximations/Contradictions’ for the Dia Art Foundation (New York). In the course of 2007 the artist’s work will be presented in group shows in TENT (Rotterdam), Würtembergischen Kunstverein (Stuttgart) and the Hamburger Bahnhof (Berlin).

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