Japanese architectural giant Tadao Ando is one of the most influential contemporary master architects. In the past, he has created many minimalist buildings using exposed concrete, and his poetic style is highly acclaimed. Setting aside extravagant elements, he incorporates the most natural elements of light, wind, and water into his designs, creating architectural spaces full of Zen.
As early as 2017, the large retrospective exhibition “Challenge – Tadao Ando Exhibition” of this architectural master was first grandly exhibited at the National Art Center in Tokyo, and then toured to different cities such as Milan, Paris, Shanghai, etc. Nearly 5 years later, the final stop of the exhibition will land at the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park in Taipei starting from June 3, allowing everyone to experience Tadao Ando’s creative ideas and architectural masterpieces for nearly half a century!
Tadao Ando’s architectural works are not only fascinating, but his life is also full of legends. Before becoming an architect, he was a professional boxer. Later, he self-taught himself, and through continuous travel, research, and unique aesthetic sense, he created his distinctive path in architecture. In 1995, he even won the Pritzker Architecture Prize, known as the Nobel Prize in architecture, becoming a world-renowned contemporary architectural master.
This exhibition is divided into 4 main themes, showcasing the master’s travel sketches from his self-study period, capturing the design sketches of sudden inspiration, creative architectural models, numerous videos of eternal moments, and the reproduction of classic architectural spaces. It invites the audience to revisit the wonderful journey of this contemporary architectural master. The exhibition will also feature the master’s classic works from half a century, with a total of up to 300 pieces!
The most anticipated exhibition highlight is the full-size reproduction of its classic masterpiece “Church of Light”. This square-shaped church showcases Ando’s minimalist aesthetic, with a cross-shaped opening on the east facade allowing natural light to filter into the church space. In this project, Ando deliberately discards the ornate design of religious places, creating a pure and simple space through the most plain and unadorned concrete.
Through the exhibition “Challenge – Tadao Ando Exhibition,” viewers will have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the creative concepts of this architectural master, and experience the simplicity yet powerful narrative force through one-to-one models. It is believed that this will attract many architecture enthusiasts to come and pay their respects!
“Challenge – Tadao Ando Exhibition” Taipei Station
Date: June 3 to September 13, 2022
Time: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Location: Songshan Cultural and Creative Park Warehouse No. 1 (No. 133, Guangfu South Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City)
Learn more: Chung Tai Art Museum
Image source: designboom, ArchDaily, MOT CASA
