'architecture x fashion-a dialogue' exhibition marks 20 years of gmp architekten in china

gmp architekten celebrates 20 years of building activity in china by bringing the exhibition ‘architecture x fashion — a dialogue’ to germany after being in shown in shanghai in 2018. as part of the hamburger architektur sommer (hamburg architecture summer), the exhibition will be on view from june 29 to july 12, 2019.

image © marcus bredt

the exhibition juxtaposes fashion and architecture in large photographic displays, drawing analogies between both disciplines. the paired images are the result of cooperation between the architects von gerkan, marg and partners and the ICICLE fashion group. the shanghai fashion company took an interest in the special character of gmp’s commercial buildings, a building typology that usually goes unnoticed, and used it as a source of inspiration for one of its collections.

image © marcus bredt

in addition to administration and culture buildings such opera houses, industrial buildings are amongst the diverse projects carried out by gmp in china. the practice has been active in the country for two decades and has completed 137 commissions. using the medium of photography, the sense of proportion of the paired motifs has been taken to a different dimension.

image © marcus bredt

the fashion photographs are shown larger than life, whereas the architecture images are reduced in scale. as a result, both arts become comparable at a similar dimension. in order to give visitors the opportunity not only to see but also to touch exhibits, samples of facade elements and fabric are exhibited next to the large photographs.

image © marcus bredt

the architecture firm and the fashion group share the same fundamental values leading to a creative exchange beyond the relationship of architect and client, which is revealed by the exhibition. both companies perceive their designs as being timeless, in the sense of holistic sustainability and both houses are characterized by their clear and bold signature. top quality standards in the form of high-quality materials, and deliberate design and production in both disciplines, are highlighted throughout the exhibition, bringing out both company’s strengths.

image © marcus bredt

project info:

exhibition name: ‘architecture x fashion– a dialogue’ exhibition to mark 20 years of gmp in china

participants: gmp architekten, ICICLE

location: part of the hamburger architektur sommer venue barlach hall k, klosterwall 13, hamburg

dates of the exhibition: june 29–july 12, 2019

opening times: tue—sun, 12—19:00 hours, thurs, 14—21:00 hours, mon closed