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Gerard & Kelly's 'On Time' Transforms Villa Benkemoun into a Living Chronometer

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Artists Gerard & Kelly have conceived a captivating project titled 'On Time' at Villa Benkemoun, transforming the iconic structure into a dynamic, interactive artwork. This unique endeavor, showcased during Les Rencontres d'Arles, explores the relationship between architectural design, human habitation, and the concept of time.

Experiencing Architecture Anew: The Villa as a Timepiece

Reactivating a Modernist Landmark

During Les Rencontres d'Arles, American artists Gerard & Kelly introduced 'On Time,' a unique site-specific project at Villa Benkemoun. This initiative aims to breathe new life into Émile Sala's 1970s organic residence, temporarily restoring it to a state of daily occupation. This latest work continues the Paris-based artists' ongoing investigation into modernist architecture, building on previous installations at esteemed locations like Le Corbusier's Villa Savoye and Eileen Gray's E-1027. However, 'On Time' shifts its focus from merely admiring architectural icons to immersing itself in lived experience, contemplating how a house, now functioning as a museum, can once again embody the essence of a home.

The Villa as a Dynamic Clockwork

Central to Gerard & Kelly's 'On Time' is their performance, 'Clockwork,' which features two performers who reside within the villa overnight and enliven it throughout the day. At predetermined intervals, they navigate the various rooms, vocalizing fragments of memories, dancing, and executing choreographed sequences that respond to the building's inherent spatial logic. Over a span of four days, the house itself evolves into a living clock, with the performers' bodies and voices acting as its kinetic hands, marking the passage of time through their presence and movement.

From Museum to Lived Reality

Curator Raphaël Giannesini explains that the project's genesis stemmed directly from Villa Benkemoun's evolving status. Invited by Brigitte Benkemoun, whose family originally commissioned the house, Giannesini has been developing an artistic program that redefines the villa as a space capable of fostering innovative forms of inhabitation. Following an initial exhibition that celebrated the villa's history through archival materials, he sought a fundamentally different approach. Giannesini articulated, 'This house has transformed into a museum, but how can we reclaim its original purpose? Ultimately, it is a place designed for living.'

Embracing the Rhythms of Inhabitation

Gerard & Kelly consciously chose to remove many of the existing objects from the villa's interior, thereby allowing the architectural purity of the structure to come to the fore. The spaces are then animated through movement, expressive gestures, and the routines of daily life. The performers assume the role of temporary inhabitants, whose personal narratives intertwine with the historical echoes embedded within the house itself, blurring the lines between immediate experience and past recollections. This methodology aligns with the artists' broader artistic endeavors, which frequently explore the intricate interplay between choreographic expression and modern architectural forms. While their previous works have been presented in canonical houses associated with figures such as Le Corbusier or Mies van der Rohe, Villa Benkemoun offers a distinct challenge. Designed by French architect Émile Sala in the early 1970s, the residence bears the accumulated imprints of family life alongside its architectural aspirations, presenting what Giannesini describes as 'a lived modernism,' a concept integral to the 'On Time' installation.

Architecture's Temporal Narrative

The very design of the building profoundly influences the performance. Sala's vision for the villa incorporated flowing curves that seamlessly connect interior spaces with the surrounding landscape. The structure's distinctive tower introduces a vertical axis, drawing attention to the continuous flow of time. Giannesini posits that the house is 'more a subject of time than of space,' observing that the performers effectively become the hands of a clock as they circulate throughout the architectural space. Their movements are not externally imposed but emerge in direct response to the villa's geometry, inherent rhythms, and circulatory paths. As the curator poetically describes, 'the villa itself is a dancing villa,' an active participant in the unfolding narrative.

Interventions and Everyday Rhythms

In conjunction with the live performances, Gerard & Kelly have integrated several artistic elements that reinforce the project's focus on temporal themes. These include contrasting digital clocks, a score drawing, and 'Défense de rire' (2025), a wall lamp designed to illuminate at each passing hour. Dispersed throughout the villa, these interventions become integral components of the immersive experience. Over three days, the villa is re-inhabited as performers sleep within its walls at night and return to its spaces throughout the day. Their actions trace familiar routes and everyday gestures, imbuing the house with a distinct rhythm during the vibrant opening week of Les Rencontres d'Arles.

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Sculptural Art Museum Embraces Portuguese Lakeshore

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The LP Museum, conceived by architect Alexander Velgan, stands as a visionary proposal for a modern art institution, gracefully positioned along the serene shores of Lagoa de Pataias in Portugal. This architectural masterpiece is designed to be a sculptural extension of its natural surroundings, its form echoing the gentle curves of the lakeshore. This thoughtful integration blurs the lines between the built environment and the organic landscape, fostering a profound connection that enhances the visitor’s journey through art and nature. The museum’s design ensures a continuous and fluid spatial experience, where every turn reveals a harmonious blend of artistic expression and natural beauty.

The interior spaces of the LP Museum are meticulously crafted to support a compelling journey through art, light, and the breathtaking scenery of the lake. Alexander Velgan’s design strategically employs a minimalist material palette, ensuring that the focus remains steadfastly on the exhibited artworks, the interplay of natural illumination, and the thoughtfully framed views of the water. The circulation path is a carefully choreographed sequence, guiding visitors through a dynamic alternation of enclosed galleries and expansive open-air zones. This deliberate progression not only offers diverse perspectives on the art installations but also continuously reasserts the intrinsic link between the artistic creations and the captivating landscape, transforming the museum visit into an immersive dialogue between creativity and environment.

Seamless Integration: Architecture Meets Nature at Lagoa de Pataias

The LP Museum, conceptualized by Alexander Velgan, proposes a groundbreaking contemporary art space on the picturesque shores of Lagoa de Pataias in Portugal. The design transcends traditional architectural boundaries, presenting itself as a sculptural form that organically embraces the lake's natural geometry. This curvilinear structure is not merely placed within the landscape but emerges from it, fostering an inseparable bond between the building and its environment. The seamless flow of its form is a direct response to the site's inherent contours, ensuring that the architectural intervention enhances, rather than detracts from, the serene natural setting. This approach creates an immersive and continuous spatial journey, where the museum itself becomes an extension of the surrounding beauty.

Alexander Velgan’s vision for the LP Museum is deeply rooted in the principle of harmonious integration. The museum’s design on the lakeshore of Lagoa de Pataias is a testament to how architecture can mimic and celebrate nature’s forms. The building’s sculptural quality, characterized by its elegant curves, directly mirrors the undulating lines of the lake. This thoughtful design ensures that the structure feels indigenous to its location, establishing a symbiotic relationship where the museum and its natural habitat coexist and enrich each other. The result is an architectural statement that is both visually stunning and environmentally sensitive, offering visitors an experience that is profoundly connected to the landscape of Portugal.

An Experiential Journey: Art, Light, and Landscape Within the LP Museum

Inside the LP Museum, the gallery spaces are thoughtfully designed with a restrained material palette, ensuring that the primary focus remains on the artworks, the captivating natural light, and the carefully framed vistas of the lake. Alexander Velgan’s design orchestrates a continuous flow of movement, guiding visitors through a series of alternating enclosed galleries and invigorating open-air areas. This dynamic progression is crafted to offer evolving perspectives on both the exhibits and the surrounding natural beauty, thereby deepening the connection between art, architectural design, and the environment. The museum’s clear structural expression and site-responsive form elevate the entire experience, extending the appreciation beyond the confines of the galleries to embrace the landscape itself.

The interior architecture of the LP Museum is a masterclass in creating an engaging visitor experience. Each element, from the choice of materials to the strategic use of natural light, is intended to highlight the art and the stunning views of Lagoa de Pataias. The carefully planned circulation encourages a journey of discovery, where visitors move effortlessly between different zones, each offering a unique vantage point. This blend of indoor and outdoor spaces ensures that the museum visit is not just about observing art but about experiencing it within a rich, contextual environment. Velgan’s design transforms the museum into a destination where art and nature converge, providing a multifaceted and memorable encounter that captivates and inspires.

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PLUG arquitectura Delivers Off-Grid Modular Home in Argentine Patagonia

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In the heart of Argentine Patagonia, where the Meliquina River, its namesake lake, and the majestic Andes Mountains converge amidst a native forest, stands Villa Meliquina—a unique vacation retreat conceptualized by PLUG arquitectura. This project emerges as a thoughtful response to the profound challenges of a remote location, notably the absence of an electrical grid and cellular service. These infrastructural limitations were not merely obstacles but catalysts, deeply influencing both the construction methodology and the architectural blueprint of the dwelling. Situated within a reasonable driving distance from San Martín de los Andes and the Chapelco ski resort, the site's inherent isolation demanded an innovative approach to building.

The design team embraced a modular construction system, a strategic choice that enabled the prefabrication of structural elements off-site. These components were then efficiently transported and assembled on location, circumventing the logistical complexities typically associated with building in such an untouched wilderness. The dimensions of the three distinct modules were meticulously optimized to align with transportation constraints, ensuring that they could be easily conveyed while simultaneously streamlining the on-site assembly process. This ingenious solution not only facilitated construction but also minimized environmental impact, demonstrating a profound respect for the pristine Patagonian landscape.

Sustainable Design and Spatial Flexibility in Remote Patagonia

Villa Meliquina stands as a testament to thoughtful design in a remote, off-grid setting, harmonizing architectural innovation with environmental consciousness. The project's core design philosophy prioritizes light, panoramic views, and adaptable living spaces. The initial configuration includes a single bedroom and an expansive open-plan area integrating the living and dining functions, carefully designed to comfortably accommodate additional guests. This inherent flexibility extends to the possibility of future expansion, with plans already in place for adding a second bedroom to the west, all while preserving the dwelling's overall spatial integrity and flow. PLUG arquitectura has masterfully utilized minimal interior partitions, opting instead for a singular, multifunctional built-in furniture piece that deftly delineates the entrance, kitchen, and living-dining zones, fostering an open yet defined spatial experience.

A critical element of the design is the gabled roof, strategically oriented along an east-west axis. This orientation ensures that one roof plane receives maximum solar exposure, serving as the ideal surface for the photovoltaic panels that generate the home's exclusive electrical supply. Thus, the roof transcends its traditional role, becoming both a fundamental architectural feature and a vital environmental component of the project. The main living area is meticulously positioned to frame breathtaking views of the Chapelco mountain range, seamlessly integrating the stunning natural landscape with the interior. An extended outdoor area further enhances this connection, setting back the large window from the modular structure's edge and increasing its height to offer an even grander vista of the mountains and sky, thereby strengthening the bond between the indoor environment and the awe-inspiring Patagonian wilderness.

Integrating with Nature: Modular Construction and Off-Grid Living

The construction of Villa Meliquina epitomizes a profound respect for its unique Patagonian setting, where the absence of conventional utilities necessitated inventive solutions. The modular approach was not merely a construction technique but a fundamental design principle, allowing for precision in fabrication and efficiency in assembly. This method minimized disruption to the pristine environment while ensuring a high standard of construction. The prefabricated elements, designed to fit transport limitations, highlight a pragmatic yet visionary approach to building in challenging terrains. This thoughtful integration of prefabrication with site-specific needs underscores a commitment to both functionality and ecological sensitivity, ensuring the dwelling complements rather than detracts from its natural surroundings.

Beyond its physical structure, Villa Meliquina embodies a philosophy of sustainable living. The reliance on solar power, facilitated by the intelligently designed roof, makes the home entirely self-sufficient, a crucial feature in an area lacking an electrical grid. The interiors, characterized by their openness and adaptability, reflect a contemporary lifestyle that values connection to nature and communal living. The strategic placement of windows and the extension of living spaces outwards create an immersive experience, blurring the lines between inside and outside. This design narrative tells a story of innovation, sustainability, and a deep appreciation for the landscape, making Villa Meliquina a beacon of modern, off-grid architecture in the dramatic beauty of Argentine Patagonia.

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