Exhibition: Beguiling architectural imagery of the highest order from founder of Future Systems in exhibition designed by AL_A
February 27 2015A new exhibition at the Architectural Association in London presents work by the Czech architect and founder of Future Systems Jan Kaplický (1937-2009) – a visionary designer with a passion for drawing as a means of discovering, describing and constructing.
Through drawing he presented beguiling architectural imagery of the highest order.
In 1979 Kaplický founded Future Systems with David Nixon. Clients included NASA, for whom they produced design studies for the International Space Station. Ten years later a new partnership with Amanda Levete prompted Future Systems to build – and with building came a new creative discipline. The Media Centre at Lord’s Cricket Ground, winner of the 1999 Stirling Prize, was the last project that Kaplický drew entirely by hand. From then on, formal drawings were done with computers by others and he took delight in sketching.
Kaplický was one of the world’s last great architectural and artistic draughtsmen, upholding a heritage that has its roots in the early Renaissance. If this remarkable body of work has one central message, it is that drawing as an art and a discipline must not be forgotten.
Curated by David Jenkins
Exhibition design by AL_A
Supported by: the Kaplický Centre, Oaks Prague, Vorwerk & Co., Prague Mayor Adriana Krnáčová, City Hall of Prague, Czech Centre London and The Embassy of the Czech Republic in London
Front Members’ Room
Architectural Association School of Architecture
36 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3ES
28 February to 27 March 2015
Monday to Friday, 10:00 – 19:00
Saturday, 10:00 – 15:00
