Fort Intemporal – Forte Marghera

Fort Intemporal
Art Installation in an architectural context.
BOBBY FOGEL architect│WENDY KROCHMAL artist
LUCA BERTA│FRANCESCA GIUBILEI curators │ DESIGN.VE
23.05 – 25.11 2018│Opening hours 10.00 – 22.00

The mark of time on the roofless vestige of Forte Marghera, has left its ground cracked and walls aged. The spirit of the place, the past events and the function felt throughout the building are undeniable. In order to accentuate the Genius Loci of this building, the ancient Japanese art of Kintsugi, (also known as Kintsukuroi) has been used. Breakage and damage are part of the history of the fort, its imperfections make it unique and beautiful. As a philosophy, the golden Kintsugi lacquer is used to emphasise imperfections, the mends and seams for these characteristics define an object, or in this case, a place – and make it unique. Kintsugi has similarities with the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, which is an embracing of the flawed or the imperfection, and is also relatedto the Japanese philosophy of Mushin, which encompasses the concepts of non-attachment, acceptance of change and fate as aspects of the human condition.This ideology is applicable to life.

It encourages us to respect what is damaged and wounded, vulnerable and imperfect. The installation’s visitor should be moved to feel that imperfection is beautiful, that where breakage has left a scar, be it of a physical or psychological nature, this will result in a new composition which is unique and stronger. Being in the building should awaken emotions, feelings and be aninvitation to discuss personal history and experiences and ultimately create positive energy.

Murano glass being such an important feature of Venice, at Fort Intemporal it has been brought into dialogue with the art of Kintsugi and its historical vestige. Thus, the Kintsugi golden lacquer is replaced by a mix of topaz and golden coloured Murano glass particles, which are fixed to the surfaces of the cracks and crevices in the floor and walls of the structure. The noble colour of the glass enhance the cracks, without attempting to repair them.

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