BAK, the Centre for Contemporary Art, initiates projects together with artists and other professionals in order to identify the opportunities and potential for contemporary art at the international, national and local levels. BAK develops a programme of unique artistic projects at its own tempo, at a location in the centre of Utrecht's museum district. BAK plays a very distinctive role within the world of Utrecht art institutions by realising a series of projects based on its fundamental mission: accessibility to contemporary art and tomorrow’s developments.
It is in fact a contradiction: a centre for contemporary art in a national monument in the historic centre of Utrecht. A wide range of contemporary art forms including multimedia and performances are solidly anchored in a classic building. The question is, what is the relationship of architecture to the above-mentioned art forms? After all, BAK is not to be a passive exhibition area but rather will function as a catalyst where the production of new work is stimulated, and contemporary art presented, studied and analysed. The building offers facilities support of the BAK projects and takes a back seat role in relation to those projects.
In order to render the contradiction visible between the modern day and historical situation and to visualise the relationship between architecture and art, an object which creates both concrete solutions and illusions has been erected two metres behind the monumental facade. An object that articulates the transition between old and new, and represents the centre for contemporary art.
Lange Nieuwstraat 4 is a former music school, a building frequently renovated and adapted, and the labyrinthine medley of spaces left over behind the formal facade therefore required pragmatic reorganisation and opening up. The introduction of an 8½ metre high architectonic object just behind the historic facade organised the building in a single gesture and formed a new contemporary facade in which the missing service functions could be included. Stairs, toilets, front desk, pantry, library and storage space are integrated in this object made from galvanised steel and white painted MDF. The storey floor between the object and the facade is made of glass, in order to render the narrow space totally visible from floor to roof, and to manifest the confrontation between the historic facade and the modern-day intervention. A semi-transparent screen comprising perforated steel steps conceals two straight flights of stairs which lead visitors to the upstairs floors of the centre. The object is illuminated by means of fluorescent lights integrated in the screen which transforms the object into a metres high illuminated advertising sign during evening hours, emphasising the new BAK look behind the antique 1643 facade. The rear wall of the object is a massive cabinet wall in which equipment and materials for exhibitions are stored. The wall has a smooth finish on the exhibition side, to facilitate projection work and presentations.
