Debate Constructivism Revisited

Two driving forces can be clearly identified in the Carrilho da Graça’s projects: the analysis of the topography of the territory and the reference of the Russian constructivism.
While the logics of anthropization constituted a starting point for the implantation of his buildings and for the relationship they establish with the landscape, Russian constructivism consisted of a conceptual and formal starting point for their design.
In the exhibition Flashback / Carrilho da Graça, the visitor is given an interpretation of this architect's work from his first paradigmatic references, among which the most important avant-garde movement of the first half of the 20th century can be highlighted.
In this exhibition, the circumstances that led Carrilho da Graça to the fascination with Russian constructivism are revealed, and his works are placed in the light of this extraordinary reference – through the presence of quotes from Carrilho da Graça and books from his personal library, but also through the presentation of several original pieces by Kazimir Malevich and El Lissitzky, kindly provided for this exhibition by national and international museums.
In the scope of the parallel programme of this exhibition, we propose a debate with one of the greatest specialists in contemporary art in Portugal – Delfim Sardo –, one of the most relevant contemporary architectural historians – Jean-Louis Cohen – and João Luís Carrilho da Graça himself, revisiting this historical period, but also observing it in the light of our time, evaluating the validity of its premisses.

Participants will be offered free entry to the exhibition.
For those who come in a family context, the Educational Service welcomes children during the program
Entrance to the session is free by collecting a ticket at the CA ticket office from 2:00 pm.

Programme
4 pm
Presentation of the issue of TC Cuadernos magazine
"Carrilho da Graça - Architecture 1995-2022".
Presentation by Guillermo Rubio and Marta Sequeira

João Luis Carrilho da Graça is essentially recognized for the territorial, radical and even artistic dimension of his projects. Moreover, his work is commonly presented from any of these three perspectives. But it is certainly not by chance that Carrilho da Graça, in an interview in 2004, then with almost thirty years of career, defined Architecture as «an artistic possibility that always has construction as a reference». This monographic issue intends that his production is observed precisely from this particular point of view, until today somewhat disregarded: that of construction. In the context of the parallel programme of the exhibition Flashback / Carrilho da Graça, we proposed that this issue be presented by the representative of the Editorial Board of TC Cuardernos, Guillermo Rubio, and by the co-coordinator and author of the texts of this issue, Marta Sequeira.

5 pm
Debate
Constructivism revisited
Delfim Sardo, Jean-Louis Cohen, João Luís Carrilho da Graça and Marta Sequeira (moderation)