Living Cities Central room

Kader Attia, Untitled (Ghardaïa)  2009

On the table is a model, made entirely of couscous, of the ancient Algerian city of Ghardaïa. One of the photographs on the wall depicts the Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier, who visited Ghardaïa in 1931 and adapted elements of its buildings into his own designs. Another photograph shows Fernand Pouillon, one of Le Corbusier’s followers, who drew upon these ideas to design the social housing project in suburban Paris where Attia grew up, as the child of Algerian parents. The artist’s own history, and the wider post-colonial relationship between Algeria and France, are therefore expressed through this work.

Gallery label, October 2016

Mark Bradford, May Heaven Preserve You From Dangers and Assassins  2010

May Heaven Preserve You from Dangers and Assassins is a large, mural-sized canvas with the remains of advertising flyers collaged across its surface. It is one of a number of works made by the artist since 2009, characterised by a palette of black, white, silver and grey tones, which feature what he calls ‘merchant posters’ (there is no official name for these often hand drawn notices). These advertising flyers are taken from Bradford’s neighbourhood in Los Angeles, where they are typically affixed to the hoardings surrounding abandoned and derelict buildings. May Heaven Preserve You from Dangers and Assassins specifically features flyers selling pest control services (the word ‘BUGS is repeated across the central portion of the canvas). Like others in this body of work, such as When It Stops Snowing, which is made from advertisements that sell the facility to ‘receive calls on your cell phone from jail’, the work carries an underlying statement about the social circumstances of the target audience for these ads. Bradford is interested in the manner in which the changing notices indicate the altered circumstances that the local population experiences, and the way in which the urban fabric can be ‘read’ through this layering of signs. Although these works have a surface similarity with the work of twentieth-century European ‘affichiste’ artists such as Raymond Hains (1926–2005) and Jacques Villeglé (born 1926, see for example Jazzmen 1961, Tate T07619), Bradford is less concerned with the proliferation of commercial imagery than with the socio-political clues that his materials contain.

Damián Ortega, Skin. L’Unité D’Habitation à Berlin, 1956-1958, Le Corbusier, Berlin, Germany  2007

Ortega’s Skin works belong to a series of sculptures based on modernist residential architecture. Using natural cow leather, he has replicated floor plans of apartments in the Przyczolek Grochowski Estate in Warsaw by Oskar Hansen, Mexico City’s Urban Center President Alemán by architect Mario Pani, and Le Corbusier’s L’Unité d’Habitation in Berlin. The resulting cut-outs are installed as soft hanging sculptures. These residential projects were conceived to replace existing ineffective metropolitan housing with linear, egalitarian structures. Ortega’s malleable figures focus on the formal qualities of the buildings rather than their functional and social aspects and offer a gentle critique of modernism’s promise to transform human settlement.

Gallery label, April 2008

Monika Sosnowska, Pavilion  2016

Pavilion 2016 is a black painted steel sculpture measuring approximately three metres high by five metres wide by just under seven metres long and weighing approximately two thousand kilograms. Displayed directly on the floor, the form resembles a crumpled architectural fragment, in which three bent rectangular forms resembling doors are entangled in a twisted latticework. These solid black forms contrast with the more delicate, filigree elements of the object. Pavilion is inspired by Sosnowska’s research into the 1960s housing estate Osiedle Slowackiego in Lubin, Poland, designed by Zofia and Oskar Hansen (1924–2013, 1922–2005) according to Oskar Hansen’s concept of ‘Open Form’. Distinctive architectural details, such as the star-like metal window grills from one of the now dilapidated shopping pavilions on the estate, are echoed in Sosnowska’s work. However, in the sculpture the metal latticework is rendered distorted, collapsed and functionless.

Birdhead (Ji Weiyu, born 1980; Song Tao, born 1979), Welcome to Birdhead World Again  2011

Stephen Shore, Kanab, Utah, June 1972  1972, printed 2014

American Surfaces is a series of 312 colour landscape-format photographs depicting vernacular scenes that American photographer Stephen Shore captured while on a dedicated road trip across America in 1972–3. Informal portraits, photographs of city and suburban streets, and images of domestic objects, meals and street signage are all among the subject matter featured in these works, which can be displayed sequentially in smaller groups or as part of the series in its entirety.

Stephen Shore, Granite, Oklahoma, July 1972  1972, printed 2005

American Surfaces is a series of 312 colour landscape-format photographs depicting vernacular scenes that American photographer Stephen Shore captured while on a dedicated road trip across America in 1972–3. Informal portraits, photographs of city and suburban streets, and images of domestic objects, meals and street signage are all among the subject matter featured in these works, which can be displayed sequentially in smaller groups or as part of the series in its entirety.

Damián Ortega, Skin. Przyczolek Grochowski Estate, LCS, 1963, Oskar Hansen, Warsaw, Poland  2007

Stephen Shore, Amarillo, Texas, July 1972  1972, printed 2005

American Surfaces is a series of 312 colour landscape-format photographs depicting vernacular scenes that American photographer Stephen Shore captured while on a dedicated road trip across America in 1972–3. Informal portraits, photographs of city and suburban streets, and images of domestic objects, meals and street signage are all among the subject matter featured in these works, which can be displayed sequentially in smaller groups or as part of the series in its entirety.

Damián Ortega, Skin. Centro Urbano Presidente Alemán C.U.P.A., 1950, Mario Pani, Mexico City, Mexico  2006

Stephen Shore, Queens, New York, April 1972  1972, printed 2005

American Surfaces is a series of 312 colour landscape-format photographs depicting vernacular scenes that American photographer Stephen Shore captured while on a dedicated road trip across America in 1972–3. Informal portraits, photographs of city and suburban streets, and images of domestic objects, meals and street signage are all among the subject matter featured in these works, which can be displayed sequentially in smaller groups or as part of the series in its entirety.

Stephen Shore, New York, New York, September-October 1972  1972, printed 2005

American Surfaces is a series of 312 colour landscape-format photographs depicting vernacular scenes that American photographer Stephen Shore captured while on a dedicated road trip across America in 1972–3. Informal portraits, photographs of city and suburban streets, and images of domestic objects, meals and street signage are all among the subject matter featured in these works, which can be displayed sequentially in smaller groups or as part of the series in its entirety.

Stephen Shore, Macon, Georgia, June 1972  1972, printed 2014

American Surfaces is a series of 312 colour landscape-format photographs depicting vernacular scenes that American photographer Stephen Shore captured while on a dedicated road trip across America in 1972–3. Informal portraits, photographs of city and suburban streets, and images of domestic objects, meals and street signage are all among the subject matter featured in these works, which can be displayed sequentially in smaller groups or as part of the series in its entirety.

Stephen Shore, Amarillo, Texas, July 1972  1972, printed 2005

American Surfaces is a series of 312 colour landscape-format photographs depicting vernacular scenes that American photographer Stephen Shore captured while on a dedicated road trip across America in 1972–3. Informal portraits, photographs of city and suburban streets, and images of domestic objects, meals and street signage are all among the subject matter featured in these works, which can be displayed sequentially in smaller groups or as part of the series in its entirety.

Stephen Shore, Tucumcari, New Mexico, July 1972  1972, printed 2014

American Surfaces is a series of 312 colour landscape-format photographs depicting vernacular scenes that American photographer Stephen Shore captured while on a dedicated road trip across America in 1972–3. Informal portraits, photographs of city and suburban streets, and images of domestic objects, meals and street signage are all among the subject matter featured in these works, which can be displayed sequentially in smaller groups or as part of the series in its entirety.

Stephen Shore, Rolla, Missouri, July 1972  1972, printed 2005

American Surfaces is a series of 312 colour landscape-format photographs depicting vernacular scenes that American photographer Stephen Shore captured while on a dedicated road trip across America in 1972–3. Informal portraits, photographs of city and suburban streets, and images of domestic objects, meals and street signage are all among the subject matter featured in these works, which can be displayed sequentially in smaller groups or as part of the series in its entirety.

Stephen Shore, Macon, Georgia, June 1972  1972, printed 2005

American Surfaces is a series of 312 colour landscape-format photographs depicting vernacular scenes that American photographer Stephen Shore captured while on a dedicated road trip across America in 1972–3. Informal portraits, photographs of city and suburban streets, and images of domestic objects, meals and street signage are all among the subject matter featured in these works, which can be displayed sequentially in smaller groups or as part of the series in its entirety.

Stephen Shore, Washington, District of Columbia, August 1972  1972, printed 2005

American Surfaces is a series of 312 colour landscape-format photographs depicting vernacular scenes that American photographer Stephen Shore captured while on a dedicated road trip across America in 1972–3. Informal portraits, photographs of city and suburban streets, and images of domestic objects, meals and street signage are all among the subject matter featured in these works, which can be displayed sequentially in smaller groups or as part of the series in its entirety.

Stephen Shore, Santa Fe, New Mexico, June 1972  1972, printed 2005

American Surfaces is a series of 312 colour landscape-format photographs depicting vernacular scenes that American photographer Stephen Shore captured while on a dedicated road trip across America in 1972–3. Informal portraits, photographs of city and suburban streets, and images of domestic objects, meals and street signage are all among the subject matter featured in these works, which can be displayed sequentially in smaller groups or as part of the series in its entirety.

Stephen Shore, Amarillo, Texas, July 1972  1972, printed 2005

American Surfaces is a series of 312 colour landscape-format photographs depicting vernacular scenes that American photographer Stephen Shore captured while on a dedicated road trip across America in 1972–3. Informal portraits, photographs of city and suburban streets, and images of domestic objects, meals and street signage are all among the subject matter featured in these works, which can be displayed sequentially in smaller groups or as part of the series in its entirety.

Stephen Shore, Palm Beach, Florida, April-May 1973  1973, printed 2005

American Surfaces is a series of 312 colour landscape-format photographs depicting vernacular scenes that American photographer Stephen Shore captured while on a dedicated road trip across America in 1972–3. Informal portraits, photographs of city and suburban streets, and images of domestic objects, meals and street signage are all among the subject matter featured in these works, which can be displayed sequentially in smaller groups or as part of the series in its entirety.

Stephen Shore, Petersburg, New York, September 1972  1972, printed 2014

American Surfaces is a series of 312 colour landscape-format photographs depicting vernacular scenes that American photographer Stephen Shore captured while on a dedicated road trip across America in 1972–3. Informal portraits, photographs of city and suburban streets, and images of domestic objects, meals and street signage are all among the subject matter featured in these works, which can be displayed sequentially in smaller groups or as part of the series in its entirety.

Stephen Shore, Raleigh, North Carolina, June 1972  1972, printed c.2005

American Surfaces is a series of 312 colour landscape-format photographs depicting vernacular scenes that American photographer Stephen Shore captured while on a dedicated road trip across America in 1972–3. Informal portraits, photographs of city and suburban streets, and images of domestic objects, meals and street signage are all among the subject matter featured in these works, which can be displayed sequentially in smaller groups or as part of the series in its entirety.

Stephen Shore, Palm Beach, Florida, January 1973  1973, printed 2005

American Surfaces is a series of 312 colour landscape-format photographs depicting vernacular scenes that American photographer Stephen Shore captured while on a dedicated road trip across America in 1972–3. Informal portraits, photographs of city and suburban streets, and images of domestic objects, meals and street signage are all among the subject matter featured in these works, which can be displayed sequentially in smaller groups or as part of the series in its entirety.

Stephen Shore, New York, New York, September-October 1972  1972, printed 2005

American Surfaces is a series of 312 colour landscape-format photographs depicting vernacular scenes that American photographer Stephen Shore captured while on a dedicated road trip across America in 1972–3. Informal portraits, photographs of city and suburban streets, and images of domestic objects, meals and street signage are all among the subject matter featured in these works, which can be displayed sequentially in smaller groups or as part of the series in its entirety.

Stephen Shore, Clinton, Oklahoma, July 1972  1972, printed 2005

American Surfaces is a series of 312 colour landscape-format photographs depicting vernacular scenes that American photographer Stephen Shore captured while on a dedicated road trip across America in 1972–3. Informal portraits, photographs of city and suburban streets, and images of domestic objects, meals and street signage are all among the subject matter featured in these works, which can be displayed sequentially in smaller groups or as part of the series in its entirety.

Stephen Shore, Clovis, New Mexico, June 1972  1972, printed 2014

American Surfaces is a series of 312 colour landscape-format photographs depicting vernacular scenes that American photographer Stephen Shore captured while on a dedicated road trip across America in 1972–3. Informal portraits, photographs of city and suburban streets, and images of domestic objects, meals and street signage are all among the subject matter featured in these works, which can be displayed sequentially in smaller groups or as part of the series in its entirety.

Stephen Shore, Santa Fe, New Mexico, June 1972  1972, printed 2005

American Surfaces is a series of 312 colour landscape-format photographs depicting vernacular scenes that American photographer Stephen Shore captured while on a dedicated road trip across America in 1972–3. Informal portraits, photographs of city and suburban streets, and images of domestic objects, meals and street signage are all among the subject matter featured in these works, which can be displayed sequentially in smaller groups or as part of the series in its entirety.

Stephen Shore, Tucumcari, New Mexico, July 1972  1972, printed 2005

American Surfaces is a series of 312 colour landscape-format photographs depicting vernacular scenes that American photographer Stephen Shore captured while on a dedicated road trip across America in 1972–3. Informal portraits, photographs of city and suburban streets, and images of domestic objects, meals and street signage are all among the subject matter featured in these works, which can be displayed sequentially in smaller groups or as part of the series in its entirety.

Stephen Shore, Petersburg, New York, September 1972  1972, printed 2005

American Surfaces is a series of 312 colour landscape-format photographs depicting vernacular scenes that American photographer Stephen Shore captured while on a dedicated road trip across America in 1972–3. Informal portraits, photographs of city and suburban streets, and images of domestic objects, meals and street signage are all among the subject matter featured in these works, which can be displayed sequentially in smaller groups or as part of the series in its entirety.