A new exhibition at Sir John Soane’s Museum in London is inviting visitors into the imaginative world of Dutch artist and architect Madelon Vriesendorp. Titled 'Mind Games', the show features a collection of her distinctive works, including the provocative 1975 drawing 'Flagrant Délit', which depicts the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings in an intimate embrace within a high-rise New York apartment, overseen by the disapproving RCA Building.
'Flagrant Délit', meaning 'caught in the act', is presented both as a standalone print and as the iconic cover art for 'Delirious New York', the 1978 book by her ex-husband Rem Koolhaas. This seminal text is celebrated for its surreal take on New York's history and its radical architectural manifesto. Vriesendorp's contributions to this vision were pivotal; in 1975, she co-founded the Office of Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) alongside Koolhaas, and Elia and Zoe Zenghelis. OMA, now a leading global architectural firm, initially made its mark with unbuilt, provocative projects, often brought to life through Vriesendorp’s characteristically witty and ironic drawings.
The exhibition's initial section delves into Vriesendorp's early drawings and prints of New York, which brilliantly illustrate the central thesis of 'Delirious New York'. This argues that Manhattan's seemingly chaotic, capitalist development in the 20th century fostered a more vibrant and psychologically satisfying urban environment compared to the rigid, rationalist ideals of European modernism. Her cartoons revel in this anarchic sensuality, depicting scenes such as the Statue of Liberty sitting forlornly amidst modernist fragments, or the continued romantic encounters of the Chrysler and Empire State Buildings.
Beyond her iconic New York works, the exhibition transitions to more recent creations that reflect a contemporary focus. The second part of 'Mind Games' showcases Vriesendorp’s optimistic and humorous approach to the climate crisis. These newer works include sculptures crafted from recycled materials, transforming everyday objects like egg cartons into monster masks and plastic milk bottles into fantastical dragons, offering a playful yet pertinent commentary on environmental challenges.
In a distinct area adjacent to the museum’s central lightwell, Vriesendorp has created a surreal, Freudian-inspired tableau from cardboard. This installation features two figures engaged in a game involving the manipulation of 'symbolic objects' within a model room, surrounded by larger, colourful versions of these same objects, such as a striped snake and a patchy dog. This setup recreates a 'mind game' that Vriesendorp enjoys playing with her friends and visitors, further highlighting her unique blend of art, architecture, and psychological exploration.