In this series I want to illustrate Peter Zumthor’s new architectural intervention at the
Allmannajuvet Zinc Mine Museum in Sauda, Norway. I drew these on location September 5th through 10th, 2016.
The idea behind these sketches was born from the desire to highlight the presence of the green, in situations strongly related to architecture and/or urban settings. I imagined the green as a vital character and source of clean energy, in constant struggle with the overbuilding of urban spaces.
Green is the ancient memory of the planet, older than our existence, the source of life, power and energy. Forced to downsize its existence in ever-smaller spaces. Dispose of the increasing pollution of the urban settlements.
Architecture is the witness to human existence, layered memory of cultures. Testimony of humanity’s invention and transformation skills. Evolving and expanding, it takes hold of the natural areas, overwhelmed by its own pollution and forced to re-evaluate a new balance.
In this ongoing conflict (green against architecture), the two contenders realize they depend on each other, and establish a new balance for a peaceful coexistence.
Small volumes become dark memory of the past, in a place where nature returns to marginalize the scars left by the zinc mines.
