Neverending Drawing heralds countdown to opening of architecture gallery

Date:

30 June 2004

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Pritzker Prize-winning architect Alvaro Siza began the Neverending Drawing at Friday night's Sense and the City III at the V&A, part of Architecture Week 2004.

The RIBA and V&A Neverending Drawing, is an architectural variation on the parlour game Exquisite Corpse where different people add continually to a drawing. The drawing, encased in a bespoke on-off box, will expand continuously with contributions from architects, students, school children and cultural figures in the lead up to the opening of the V&A + RIBA Architecture Gallery at the Museum in November 2004. The drawing of a streetscape can be expanded in four directions (left, right, up or down) and allows each contributer to add their own unique sketch to those that have gone before. The Neverending Drawing will be unveiled at the Student Opening of the V&A + RIBA Architecture Gallery.

Alvaro Siza says his sketches start when he first visits a city where he has a commission. These so called 'City Sketches' have been published. His sketches show how he arrives at solutions to architectural problems. He says - "Drawings – landscapes, portraits, and trip sketches – have always kept me busy. I don't think that it has a direct relation with architecture but it is a good way to develop acuity of vision… The tool of the architect is to be able to see."

Any practice, architect or organisation who is interested in adding sketches to the Neverending Drawing during its five month gestation is welcome to call Helen Thomas at the V&A on 020 7942 2803 or Emilie Harrak at the RIBA Gallery on on 020 7307 3791.

The Neverending Drawing has been designed by Rupert Walshe, an architecture student at the Royal College of Art, the cabinet is made from American walnut.

Notes to editors

1. For further information and/or images contact Marie Clements on 020 7307 3761 or marie.clements@inst.riba.org|

2. Portugese architect Alvaro Siza has received gold medals and other honours from numerous foundations and societies in Europe including awards from the Mies van Der Rohe Foundation and the European Economic Community. Siza has taught at many of the world's leading universities including Harvard University and has been guest lecturer across the world. Siza is best known for his renovation of the Campo di Marte in Venice, rebuilding Lisbon's Chiado quarter after fire, creating the museum in Santiago de Compostela and for his winning entry for Berlin's Schlesisches Tor apartment building. His work ranges from swimming pools to housing developments, private homes, banks, offices, restaurants, art galleries, and shops.

3. Building work is underway on the new V&A + RIBA Architecture Gallery, designed by Gareth Hoskins Architects, that will display the world-class collections of architectural drawings, models and objects of the RIBA and the V&A. The Gallery will open along with a V&A + RIBA group teaching room and study rooms in November 2004. The project brings together the architectural collections of the V&A and RIBA to create an unrivalled resource for the study and enjoyment of architecture and the built environment.

4. Quotes from Alvaro Siza by Philip Jodido, Taschen, 2003.