2015 | Art-in-Architecture, Youth center „WERKK“, reconstruction of the Old Forge, Baden, Switzerland

Young people have always made efforts in playing an almost acrobatic seeming game of differentiation and affiliation. Thereby, logos, labels and symbols of different kind and origin are of central interest. A big part of these icons is inspired by existing animals (logos such as La Coste, Puma, Mammut etc)

For the research on this project I focussed on the popular world of icons of the youth culture at the time when the „Old Forge“ was built. At the beginning of the 20th century, the movement of aesthetical and philosophical importance emphasis on youth: Art Nouveau was trying to join art and popular culture. In this world of images I have often found illustrations of butterflies, an animal that is associated with youth that symbolizes transformation and metamorphose. Far beyond these traditional significations I believe that the butterfly is an appropriate totem animal for youth: with his dazzling beauty and signal-effect pattern it pursues strategies of camouflage, mimicry and deterrence in defence of its fragile constitution.  

On the new tower two amorphous forms oscillate. The objects are inspired by the pattern of the butterfly’s wings that irritates pursuers: the vexing eyespots pretend a taller animal. In a more abstract form and in a much bigger scale this twinkling eyes are an enigmatic emblem for the new Youth Cultural Centre, seen from afar and creating memorable identity, mirroring with a twinkle in the eye the youth behavioural patterns of mimicry/imitation and juvenile delimitation.

Thousands of metallic-reflecting sequins compose the two twinkling forms. Each breeze moves the small PVC-pads slightly producing a vivid sparkling effect. The visible part of the structural frame is similar to modern billboard-supports, refers to the ceiling construction of the „Old  Forge“ and extends the architecture of the tower. The steel structure and the delicately sparkling surface of the two emblems contrast dynamically.