27 October 2004

Re-Tracing exhibition opening

Samuel Penn
29 Oct - 25 Nov

Samuel Penn's 'Re-tracing' is the continuation of a photographic exhibition that started in Berlin earlier this year. It explores findings related to a particular and seemingly mundane entrance way of a turn of the century tenement building in the former eastern block. The Prenzlauer Berg district was the old Jewish quarter of Berlin which since its establishment as a new city extension in the 1870's been subject to the ruptures of several extreme political regime changes.

The work describes the findings based around the investigation of a single building element in the entrance way; a paving tile (Trottoirstein No1). It is presented as an artefact with the related stories that are embodied in it. As a subjective interpretation of the space, the photographs that are displayed alongside the physical work are charged with a feeling of emptiness which is meant as a sedate memorial to the stories unearthed in the investigation. The work as a whole is pluralistic, concentrating on, and tracing strands rather than trying to find fixed conclusions.

Samuel Penn teaches at the School of Architecture in Dundee and is also a practising Architect. This exhibition runs until 25 November. Retracing is shown in the Bradshaw Art Space, Crawford Building, DJCAD, University of Dundee.

Exhibition opening times: Fri 9.30am - 5.30pm, Sat 9.30am-4.30pm FREE ADMISSION.

By Angela Durcan, Press Officer 01382 344910, out of hours: 07968298585, a.durcan@dundee.ac.uk