Warped Space – E3 is a venture that transforms the developing zones of Hackney Wick (London) into dynamic sculptures, serves as an index of the area’s evolution.
The sculptural forms take shape through a dialectical relationship with the initial photographic image, providing a multi-dimensional re-contextualization of the urban landscape.
The basis of this project draws inspiration from psychogeography and immersive walks through urban spaces, where discarded objects and intricate juxtapositions weave a bricolage of perspectives.
Whether viewed from the top of bridges, within construction sites, in close-up or from a distance, these multi-faceted perspectives inform and materialise the sculptures.
In the backdrop of urban regeneration or gentrification, the project encourages viewers to delve into the complexities of space production, usage, and inevitable transformation within our urban landscapes.
It stands as an evidence to the ever-shifting dynamics of our surroundings, where the fusion of photography and sculpture offers a new language to interpret the evolving narrative of our shared spaces.
Wood monoliths and crumpled sculptures, shaped by the dialectical relation with initial photographic images, emerge as tangible representations of the area’s distorted and warped landscapes.
“Warped Space – E3” seeks to redefine the narrative of how we inhabit the world, construct cities, and shape subjectivities, inviting viewers to explore the reciprocal relationship between materials, urban environments, and the inhabitants within them.
Transitioning to the second project, “Setting the Stage: Photography as Object and Prop,” emerged as a site-specific installation in a workshop hosted by Lunigiana Land Art in Mulazzo – Lusuolo Castle, Italy. Guided by Felicity Hammond, the workshop drew inspiration from the indeterminate architecture of Lusuolo Castle—a historically deconstructed and reconstructed building.
As I explored the sculptural capabilities of photographic materials, I crafted an installation that responded to the unique architecture and its malleable form. Informed by the historical use of castles in theatre production, the installation considered the photograph as a prop or backdrop.
Collaboratively, we built an installation during the workshop, utilizing materials provided by the artist to respond to the unique site. The final sculpture, a temporary installation within the castle, creatively merged photographic materials and objects, offering a dynamic exploration of the intersection between photography, sculpture, and the site-specific context.
Both projects collectively invited viewers to delve into the nuanced relationships between materials, urban environments, and the narratives embedded within shared spaces.
Vladimir Florentin
He is a London-based artist and co-founder of Displaced Materials Lab (DML), specializing in expanded photography and the exploration of human environments. Vladimir’s individual practice encompasses sculptural photography, graphic design, and the analysis of human inhabitations. His academic achievements, graduating with honors from the University of Westminster in 2021, reflect a profound exploration of gentrification in Hackney Wick, influencing his distinctive approach to art and community engagement. Collaborating with Adrian Coto as the creative lead at DML, Vladimir pushes the boundaries of photographic materiality, focusing on innovative interventions for installation projects.
Vladimir has showcased his work in group and solo exhibitions, including Unseen Photo Fair in Amsterdam, Ambika P3 Gallery, Manufactory London Design Festival, among others. His artistic contributions have been published in Tied to Light Collective Vol 2, Kinda Weird Magazine Vol 1 and 2, “Home Alone: A Survival Guide” by Max Siedentopf, and “Monica Sturza: Cred ca o sa-mi placa.”
