Extra Muros - Architectures of delight

The Alliance Française of Port Elizabeth and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum are joining forces together to exhibit, Extra Muros - Architectures of Delight. The exhibition can be viewed starting from 11 September ongoing till 22 September at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum. However, the official opening will take place on 14 September at 7pm. Members of the public are invited to attend. Please RSVP to the Art Museum on 041 5062000. ‘Extra Muros’- Architectures of Delight is an exhibition originally produced and designed from a catalogue of photographs and criticisms of contemporary architecture, co-ordinated by the Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine/Institut Français d’Architecture. This exhibition has been specifically tailored for a worldwide presentation, focusing on architecture in tune with current urban situations, territorial or programme-related issues that are relevant throughout the world. Through a critical mass effect, the projects presented say that “good” architecture is not as rare as it seems, and that if we do not see it, surely it is because it is not where we expect it, also because it’s simpler, more modest or simply less preoccupied with its durability than we imagine. ‘Extra Muros’- Architectures of Delight gathers exceptional photographs of master architects’ buildings (Jean Nouvel’s Justice Court, in the French city of Nantes, for instance) as well as anonymous constructions that, in the end, make of the exhibition a visual tribute to diversity, freedom, a certain taste for adventure, generosity, integrity, lightness and forms of enchantment.