Phantom Theory
Thursday, 28 September 2017 to Wednesday, 20 December 2017
Location: ETH Zurich, Hönggerberg
Concept and direction: Sylvia Claus, Lukas Zurfluh, Sabine Sträuli, together with the students of the gta Institute’s Master of Advanced Studies programme and in cooperation with the gta Archives and gta Exhibitions
On 1 January 1967 the Institute for the History and Theory of Architecture (gta) began its work within the then department of architecture at ETH Zurich. Founded as a research facility, the gta – as it is now known worldwide – advanced to become one of the most renowned educational institutions at the coalescence between the theory and practice and the past and the present of architecture.
The exhibition to the fiftieth anniversary traces the development of the institute based on original documents. In order to be able to present the material we combed the gta Archives and uncovered a trove of projects, manuscripts, lecture drafts, models, exhibition concepts and images.
The histories of institutions are always also a history of ideas. The gta Institute was and is a place of reflection, exchanges and mediation. It is a resonance and knowledge chamber. The exhibition demonstrates this by presenting exemplary discourses that have not only manifoldly and lastingly left their mark on the institute’s undertakings but further afield too.
Photos: Martin Stollenwerk
