Humanitarian efforts are best appreciated when experienced at ground level. The centrepiece of Pritzker Prize-winning Japanese architect Shigeru Ban’s first Australian exhibition at the Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation (SCAF) best demonstrates this principle. A model of his renowned Cardboard Cathedral in Christchurch, New Zealand – originally built from paper tubes, timber, polycarbonate and stained glass to temporarily replace the 19th-century cathedral destroyed in the 2011 earthquake – soars upon the gallery floor. A large hole piercing its nave permits viewers to immerse themselves within to fully comprehend both its structural ingenuity and ethereal beauty.
Ban’s ethical and constructive principles inform the exhibition, which features prototypes for various projects and outdoor structures. While it links elements of his commercial work, including a 4m-long undulating bamboo model for his Japanese Pavilion at the Hanover EXPO of 2000, it primarily focuses upon his temporary architecture in natural disaster zones over the past 20 years. A display of innovative joinery made from cardboard tubes, plastic sleeves, wood and metal bolts is animated through screened footage of their low cost assembled outcomes: schools, temporary housing and communal centres for victims around the world by his Voluntary Architects Network.
This shelter, titled 'Ecuador', is made of green bamboo
'I love to make monuments, too, but I thought perhaps we can use our experience and knowledge more for the general public, even for those who have lost their houses in natural disasters,' states Ban.
The adjoining courtyard houses two of Ban’s signature disaster relief shelters. They utilise natural elements and cheap, locally sourced materials including recycled milk crates. His first, realised in Kobe in 1995, comprises walls constructed from rows of cardboard tubes, while his most recent, an evolved Paper Log House designed in response to the Ecuador earthquake of 2016, is supported by a simplified frame of cardboard tubes clad in bamboo.
Ban’s exhibition marks the final project presented by SCAF after a decade-long programme. It will evolve into a centre for the exchange of ideas on contemporary culture through the implementation of talks, events and workshops. To coincide with the exhibition’s launch, Ban will present a talk at the Sydney Opera House focusing on his altruistic work.
Two human scale relief shelters designed by Ban are displayed in the courtyard at SCAF
This shelter, realised in Kobe in 1995, comprises walls constructed from rows of cardboard tubes
An exterior view of the Kobe shelter
An interior view of the Kobe shelter, constructed with cardboard tubes
The shelter profiles Ban's innovative joinery techniques
This building is an evolved Paper Log House designed in response to the Ecuador earthquake of 2016, supported by a simplified frame of cardboard tubes clad in bamboo
On display in the exhibition are joinery prototypes from various projects
This model was designed for the Japanese Pavilion at the EXPO in Hanover in 2000
A model of Ban's renowned Cardboard Cathedral in Christchurch, New Zealand
Part of the exhibition is a replica of Ban’s paper tube partitioning systems, made of calico and used within makeshift communal mass shelters
INFORMATION
’The inventive work of Shigeru Ban: SCAF Projects 34 & 35’ is on view until 1 July. For more information, visit the Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation website
ADDRESS
Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation
16–20 Goodhope Street
Paddington
Sydney NSW 2021
-
This Bali villa flies the flag for contemporary bamboo architectureA Bali villa fusing traditional craftsmanship with contemporary vision by design studio Ibuku demonstrates the versatility of bamboo
-
‘The United States of América’: how Willy Chavarria is rewriting American fashionWallpaper* catches up with Willy Chavarria, who staged his latest show, ‘América’, in a disused bank on New York’s Wall Street yesterday evening (September 6 2024)
-
Designer India Mahdavi on her perfect restaurant experienceAs part of Laila Gohar's guest editorship, she asked friends in the industry and her wider creative circle to relive their perfect restaurant experience. Here, designer India Mahdavi recounts a perfect night dining under the pitch-black Egyptian sky
-
Shigeru Ban has perfected the art of enclosureTaschen’s new XXL monograph, Shigeru Ban. Complete Works 1985 – Today, brings out the sheer diversity of the Japanese architect’s work
-
Shigeru Ban’s mini Paper Log House welcomed at The Glass House'Shigeru Ban: The Paper Log House' is shown at The Glass House in New Canaan, USA as the house museum of American architect Philip Johnson plays host to the Japanese architect’s model temporary home concept
-
Rebuilt Shigeru Ban houses launch at the architect’s Simose Art Museum in HiroshimaA series of rebuilt Shigeru Ban houses become available to experience and rent at the Simose Art Museum, designed by the same architect, in Hiroshima, Japan
-
Shigeru Ban shelter design offers privacy for Turkey-Syria earthquake victimsShigeru Ban shelter designs, providing disaster relief in Turkey Syria and Ukraine, utilise natural materials
-
On the road: these nomadic homes could set you free -
Powered by solar panels, La Seine Musicale is a new icon for Paris -
Domestic dynasty: the Japanese house since 1945 -
Big winner: Alejandro Aravena scoops the prestigious 2016 Pritzker Prize
