Shahram Entekhabi,

The world is flat

Map of Parasite Architectures and Caution Performances, 2001-2008:

Amsterdam/NL, Bergen/N, Bologna/I, Cleveland/USA, Kraków/PL, Dudelange/L, Hong Kong/HK, Istanbul/TR, Lahore/PK, Lanzarote/E, London/GB, Manchester/GB, Mexico City/MEX, Moscow/RUS, Pori/Fin, Reggio Calabria/I, Skopje/MK

Parasite Architecture is rooted in the idea of the "informal", meaning everything which is - either intentionally or nor - temporary, inchoate, weak, imperfect, unfinished or formless ("l´informe" as firstly proposed by Georges Bataille). The concept of the "informal" was developed by various artists, theorists, and architects since the 1960s. The analysis is carried out in the context of questioning aspects of social communication (Gordon Matta-Clark), of the feminist deconstruction of space (Rita Mc Keough), of ideas of nomadism and psycho-geography as made popular by Deleuze + Guttary and the Situationists, and the technological, being influenced by virtual reality's increasing popularity.

Focussing the aspect of the transient within the idea of the informal, Parasite Architecture relates it to questions of migration and cultural diversity. Beyond the literal sense of "weak" structures, it combines various architectural approaches. In many places around the world, Shahram Entekhabi created informal extensions to existing architectures (e.g. museum architectures) or constructed independent temporary spaces. However, these informal architectures are always constructed in public space (as part of the Caution performances that are documented on video) and they are always made from caution tape - suggesting ideas about safety zones and no go areas and indicating aspects of exclusivity and inclusivity in public space. The works deal with the dual concept of performance and public space and time.

The world is flat, a standard European map (12 cm x 24,5 cm) / (4,724 inches x 9,645 inches) © 2008