This anthology aims to exploit the psychological associations of space
and the psychological reactions to it, such as agoraphobia, vertigo, and
claustrophobia. The publication analyzes spatial emotion in
contemporary art and architecture and maps its extremes and multiple
overtones. With essays by Anthony Vidler on the relation between
psychoanalysis and the perception of space, Mark Wigley on insecurity
and design, Philippe Rahm on the emotional conditioning of space
construction, and Stephen Willats on living conditions in social housing.
Featuring works by such artists as Monica Bonvicini, Christoph Büchel,
Jan Dibbets, Urs Fischer, H. R. Giger, Katarzyna Jozefowicz, Anish
Kapoor, Daniel Liebeskind, Jane and Louise Wilson, Paul Noble, Gordon
Matta-Clark, Paul Thek, Monika Sosnowska, and Décosterd & Rahm, the
anthology also provides a visual survey of these topics in contemporary
art.
Designed by NORM, the book was distinguished in “The Most beautiful
Swiss books” competition in 2003.
Published on the occasion of the exhibition by the Migros Museum für
Gegenwartskunst, Zurich, and Laznia Center for Contemporary Art,
Gdansk.