Art and Architecture - Langlands and Bell

Having collaborated since 1978, Ben Langlands and Nikki Bell have built a strong body of works discussing the role of architecture and the changing nature of human behaviours within a globalised society in relation to architecture.

In Maisons de Force, 7 white chairs stand, each of the 'seat' components of the chair encasing the outline of models of prisons from Europe and North America. Situated under a spotlight, the shadow of the outline is reflected directly below each chair. Having literally been cut into (or inserted within the open 'seat' space - I can't really tell which) the seat, the impression given (and stated on the Langlands and Bell website) is that in the event of sitting on these chairs, we represent the way by which, over time, our usage of buildings and architectural spaces become imprinted upon us.

Crystalising the sense of containment inherant in architecture, what struck me most in my reading of the work's description reads as follows;

"One of the main functions of architecture is to contain and direct social activity ... in some senses, the prison may operate as a metaphor for the social function of architecture"

http://www.langlandsandbell.com/