Domènec, a visual artist from Mataró, bases his work on the intense observation of the collective use of buildings and residential areas to reveal the socio-historical mechanisms that lead to the oblivion and abandonment of urban areas. He is especially interested in the dwellings built between 1960 and 1980 as symbols of the modern city. Through models, photographs and multimedia installations, the exhibition gives a point of view that is benevolent and at the same time critical of these great architectural projects that are now in neighbourhoods where it is difficult to live.
The Catalan’s project at Le CAP Saint-Fons deals with the history of Minguettes, a neighbourhood in the municipality of Vénissieux known historically for the anti-racist demonstrations in 1983, and it illustrates the history of architecture in Lyon. The work, produced specifically for the exhibition, is also accompanied by older pieces and together they constitute an unpublished project about the residential models that, despite being criticized subsequently, continue to be the modus vivendi of large numbers of people.
Domènec has put on many exhibitions and projects in situ in various countries, including Ireland, Mexico, Belgium, France, Italy, the USA, Canada, Israel, Palestine, Brazil, Slovenia, Finland, Argentina and Japan. Moreover, he is the co-editor of Roulotte, the publication about art, architecture and public space, and he has been a member of the board of directors of Can Xalant, Centre de Creació i Pensament Contemporani de Mataró (2005-2012).
The work of Lara Almarcegui on disused urban spaces is the result of her residency on the Veduta project. The artist lives and works in Rotterdam (The Netherlands) and for years she has been dealing with the frontier between renewal and decline in cities, highlighting elements of the urban world that often go unnoticed.
For this project, Almarcegui has chosen to explore the situation of L’Île de la chèvre (Goat island), an artificial island of the 1960s linked to the industrial activity on the outskirts of Lyon and which is now off limits to the public.
Le PAC - Centre d'Arts plàstiques de Saint-Fons
16th September – 25th November 2017
Espai Léon Blum, Rue de la Rochette, Saint-Fons
