Evacuation Plan

This workshop involved developing artistic intervention strategies to encourage critical reflection on the everyday movement spaces of public buildings. We drew on principles such as institutional critique, Situationism, and conceptual art. Topics addressed included surveillance and security architecture, and disaster scenarios.

First, the participants took several aimless walks around the entire facility, discovering ‘alternative’ routes through spaces that seemed familiar. They were permitted to enter and explore closed and occupied rooms at random, as well as open technical rooms, which are typically only accessible to qualified personnel. They also tested emergency doors and escape stairs. Finally, based on these experiences, the participants were asked to design their own layout of the building’s interior.

Next, we examined the official interior plans and everyday escape routes. In accordance with official regulations, the participants made photocopies of the displayed escape plans. They then cut these up into small pieces and reassembled them as they saw fit. These new versions were hung next to the originals to ensure their authenticity at first glance.

Both the fictitious escape plans and the performances involving random walks through all the rooms in the building were exhibited as part of the annual exhibition.