StructuralismStructuralism

Structuralism offered a compelling alternative to the rationalist, bureaucratic architecture of post-war construction in the late 1950s and prospered during the 1970s. Its ideal was to create a new social space where people could realise their full potential and that facilitated interaction, imagination and experimentation.

Making space, leaving space illuminates structuralism from the perspective of Herman Hertzberger (1932). Along with Aldo van Eyck, Hertzberger is seen as one of the pioneers of this Dutch architecture movement. At the end of 2013 a major portion of his archive was entrusted to Het Nieuwe Instituut. The exhibition showcases key items and surprise finds from the archive, as well as numerous examples of Hertzberger's sources of inspiration, which he brings together in an 'Imaginary Museum' filled with original design sketches, drawings, models, notebooks and photographs of completed buildings.

An installation in four acts marks the start of a multiyear academic research programme on Dutch structuralism by the Jaap Bakema Study Centre, a collaboration between Het Nieuwe Instituut and Delft University of Technology headed by Dirk van den Heuvel. The installation explores the development and current importance of Dutch structuralism by means of four consecutive presentations centred on the themes of education, ideals, construction, and the city. On display are the work and ideas of Aldo van Eyck, Herman Hertzberger, Piet Blom, Theo Bosch and others. The arrangement of the installation and the archival material on display changes with each 'act'. A wealth of familiar and obscure archival material forms the springboard for a series of weekly conversations involving contemporaries, architects, critics, researchers and residents on subjects such as education at the Amsterdam Academy of Architecture, the Dutch Forum group, and the Provo counterculture and democratisation.
In conjunction with the exhibition, Het Nieuwe Instituut is offering a wide-ranging programme of lectures, children's workshops, ateliers for all age groups, discussions and excursions.

20 September 2014 to 11 January 2015
A double exhibition on Dutch structuralism at Het Nieuwe Instituut

• Making space, leaving space, Herman Hertzberger
• An installation in four acts, Jaap Bakema Study Centre

For images, information and applying for the press screening, please contact Eveline Mulckhuyse, via e.mulckhuyse@hetnieuweinstituut.nl or +31(0)6-26671215