27 May 2010

New performance by Martino Gamper at Z33, Belgium

From Friday 28 May to Sunday 30 May a performance by designer Martino Gamper (ITA) takes place at Z33 in Hasselt (Belgium). In this performance Gamper will take on the role of an apprentice in a woodturning studio.

Under the professional guidance of the Flemish Woodturning Guild he will submerge himself in this traditional technique. The learning process will be put up as an act, in which the transmission of knowledge is central. The origin of woodturning dates to around 1300BC when the Egyptians first developed the necessary tools. The technique has been around for ages and has been perfected by many important civilizations. During this performance he will try his luck at this age-old traditional craft.

Gamper's practice derives from an abiding interest in the psycho-social aspects of design. Curiosity is also an important aspect of Gamper's work (100 chairs in 100 days, Furniture while you wait, …), as is also the case with Learning While Performing, Performing While Learning.

The performance will be held during the finissage weekend of the exhibition 'Design by Performance'. This exhibition focuses on performative and action-oriented approaches in design. Gamper developed this performance especially for Z33 to match with this exhibition.

The performance by Martino Gamper will also coincide with the last day of Borderline, the Cumulus Conference Belgium (May 26-29). This conference wishes to explore and experience the various facets of borderlines and how limits and limitations are overcome. Cumulus is the international association of universities and colleges of art, design and media.

Learning While Performing, Performing While Learning will be on display on Friday 28 May from 11h to 18h, on Saturday 29 May from 14h to 18h and from 20h to 22h and on Sunday 30 May from 14h to 17h.