clemens gritl presents part II of a future city from the past

 

Continuing the exploration of 20th-century urban utopias, German artist Clemens Gritl unveils a new chapter in his project, A Future City From The Past. Following the success of the initial installment, Gritl delves deeper into the realms of mid-century architectural dreamscapes and dystopias, digitally rendering a series of artificial and 3D architecture models. Here, looming concrete forms extend to the horizon and cast shadows over deserted motorways, as articulated facades and pitch-black windows create an ominous, silent gloom — no signs of life, only a vast expanse of Brutalist architecture.

clemens gritl renders brutalist urban utopias of the 20th century
NO#08 | all images by Clemens Gritl

 

 

rethinking social visions of mid-century architecutre

 

These bleak black and white landscapes, dominated by the imposing geometric structures of the scaleless super-Brutalist megacity, captivate with their uncompromising and overpowering corporality. Clemens Gritl crafts an enigmatic vision of radically aggressively futuristic urban dystopias, a relentless extension of Brutalist principles. Inspired by the revolutionary social visions embedded in mid-century architecture, the artist’s deep fascination finds expression in detailed 3D computer models. Through these digital creations, Gritl refracts and redefines the urban utopias of the 20th century, constructing disturbing architectural possibilities for an imagined urban future.

 

The photo-realistic presentation is closely aligned with architecture photography of the 1960s. Gritl however inverts the optimism inherent in the documentation of the architectural zeitgeist of its era, wherein the monuments become monsters. The resulting landscapes will be showcased at Juliane Hundertmark Galerie in Berlin from November 8 until November 30, 2023.

clemens gritl renders brutalist urban utopias of the 20th century
Clemens Gritl digitally explores urban utopias of the 20th century | NO#11 (Six Gods)

clemens gritl renders brutalist urban utopias of the 20th century
part II of A Future City From The Past | NO#12

clemens gritl renders brutalist urban utopias of the 20th century
the renders depict no signs of life, only a vast expanse of Brutalist architecture | NO#09

A Future City From The Past
an enigmatic vision of radically aggressively futuristic urban dystopias | NO#10

A Future City From The Past
Gritl explores the revolutionary social visions embedded in mid-century architecture | NO#07

 

 

project info:

 

name: A Future City From The Past
artist: Clemens Gritl

 

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: ravail khan | designboom