Travelling across Europe and South America, this exhibition has been seen by over 125 000 visitors since 2016.
The materials presented in this retrospective enable us to draw closer to a theory of territory, expressed in a ground plan and model of Lisbon, and reiterated by the models of the individual projects. This theory holds that the main lines and points that characterise the topography underpin human routes and settlements, and therefore the construction of the city and its architecture.
The proposal that architectural design ultimately depends on territorial analysis underpins the whole of Carrilho da Graça’s oeuvre, and architecture becomes what might best be described as a territorial vocation. The selection of works presented in this exhibition thus correspond to a catalogue raisonné of Carrilho da Graça works for the city of Lisbon – not a complete and definitive compilation, but rather those projects considered to be significant in this context.
We live on Earth and build with all that’s available. We can build what we want, but we cannot build with no meaning — João Luís Carrilho da Graça
In addition to the many built projects, the exhibition and its catalogue also include work that was never actually built, as well as alternative versions of projects that were – with the same creative freedom of which Palladio enjoyed when he included his first villas in I quattro libri dell’architettura.
Some of the projects shown have been widely published, such as the College of Media Studies (1987–1993) and the Lisbon Cruise Terminal (2010–2017), but others have scarcely been divulged till now, such as the plan created under the aegis of the Valis Programme (1991) or projects for competitions which, despite being first place awarded, were never actually built, such as the Extension for the Assembly of the Republic (1992).
This exhibition does not present these projects in full detail, but rather offers the necessary clues for them to be considered in the light of this theory of territory, of this auxiliary process which, may or may not be evident at the end, but which was always profoundly present at the origin. This exhibition is concerned, ultimately, with João Luís Carrilho da Graça’s tradition, in the purest etymological sense of the term: with what it delivers and with the legacy it offers.
Lisbon in a state of grace
The works and projects of the architect João Luís Carrilho da Graça that can be seen at the Drassanes exhibition take the city to its DNA (...) and become the object of the most interesting reflections
Xavier Monteys, El País, 01.03.2017
Lisbon influences Carrilho da Graça
His constructions are minimalist cubes and rectangles. They look like long crates that float above the horizon, reinforcing with straight angles the sinuous lines of hills, slopes and the banks of the Tagus river. (...) Carrilho da Graça's work is in tune with other Portuguese masters such as Álvaro Siza and Eduardo Souto de Moura
Silas Marti, Folha de São Paulo, 01.02.2017
Can a city be revealed through an architect?
It is a beautiful exhibition, a narrative of seduction produced by a city over an author (...). For some time now there has been no architectural exhibition in Lisbon, and about Lisbon, as true as this one
Ana Vaz Milheiro, Jornal Público, 22.09.2015
Méxtropoli 2019, Mexico City
Sat, 9 Mar 2019 to Fri, 3 May 2019
MEXTRÓPOLI is as a key event in the cultural agenda of Mexico City and as an important architectural event on a global scale. With its high curatorial quality it is a platform that allows you to experience the city, as well as to reflect on its political, civilian and aesthetic aspects.
Milan, Milan Arch Week 2018 _ Scuola di Architettura Urbanistica Ingegneria Delle Costruzioni of Politecnico di Milano
Thu, 24 May 2018 to Wed, 18 Jul 2018
Paris, Festival Lusoscopie _ Écoles Nationales Supérieure d'Architecture Paris-Val de Seine et Paris-Belleville
Thu, 29 Mar 2018 to Fri, 11 May 2018
Madrid, XV Portuguese Culture Exhibition _ Colégio Oficial de Arquitectos de Madrid
Tue, 19 Dec 2017 to Tue, 30 Jan 2018
Buenos Aires, XVI Bienal Internacional de Arquitectura _ Usina del Arte
Mon, 9 Oct 2017 to Fri, 20 Oct 2017
Tomar, Convento de Cristo
Fri, 7 Jul 2017 to Fri, 15 Sep 2017
Montevideo, Centro de Exposiciones Subte and Facultad de Arquitectura, Diseño y Urbanismo
Thu, 29 Jun 2017 to Sun, 6 Aug 2017
Barcelona, Museo Marítim de Barcelona
Tue, 28 Feb 2017 to Mon, 1 May 2017
São Paulo, Museu da Casa Brasileira
Wed, 1 Feb 2017 to Sun, 19 Mar 2017
Bogota, Museo de Arquitectura Leopoldo Rother
Thu, 6 Oct 2016 to Sat, 10 Dec 2016
Lisboa, Centro Cultural de Belém _ Garagem Sul Architecture Exhibitions
Tue, 22 Sep 2015 to Sun, 14 Feb 2016
Exhibition under the High Patronage of His Excellency the President of the Portuguese Republic.
Considered of Great Cultural Interest by the Portuguese Ministry of Culture.
Julius Posener Exhibition Catalog Award 2017 honourable mention by the International Committee of Architecture Critics.
First presented at Centro Cultural de Belém / Garagem Sul Architecture Exhibitions.
Please contact us to enquire about booking the exhibition.