The Modernist Balancing Act

In times of war and disaster, camps almost reflexively become a form of temporary accommodation and a means of internment and the control of individuals. Looking at the barracks of early 20th century (refugee) camps, this evening's event opens up a new perspective on modern architectural history.

Architectural historian Antje Senarclens de Grancy understands camps as hybrid architectures where military, colonial, hygienic and socio-disciplinary traditions form a whole new space. As if under a magnifying glass, camps condense, accelerate and radicalise modern developments: ideas of rationalisation, standardisation and prefabrication, of hygiene, urban planning and infrastructure — and, last but not least, of maximally ‘efficient’ planning for future ‘residents’.

Lecture: Antje Senarclens de Grancy, architecture historian, TU Graz
Response: Monika Platzer, head of the Az W Collection; Johannes Pointl, architect, Fluchtraum Österreich
Moderated by Christina Linortner, ÖGFA

A cooperation between Az W and ÖGFA