The Cinematographic Marathon Living Architectures, an event curated by me, Rita Dourado and Maria Rita Pais, held at Ordem dos Arquitectos, in Lisbon, introduced for the first time the films of Louise Lemoine and Ila Bêka to a Portuguese audience, long before the acquisition by the MoMA of this relevant cinematographic work.

Image credits: Ordem dos Arquitectos (Portuguese Architects Association).

The cinematographic marathon of six films happened during part of the night at Ordem dos Arquitectos’ headquarters as a parallel event to Habitar Portugal 2009-2011. Habitar Portugal is an initiative of the Portuguese Architects Association of public interest that is not limited to the divulgation of the architectural work in a public space open to all architects but is also one of the important means to approach the community.

For the edition of 2009-2011, the curators (me, Rita Dourado and Maria Rita Pais) attempted to unveil usually invisible information about the works of architecture. It was important to understand the work of architecture, not only from the relations it holds with the landscape and the territory, how it organizes and creates new forms of space (reflecting different ways of being) but also to understand the creative processes of the architects. What inspires them, what instigates them, from references of art history to literary fragments, sometimes in a literal way, others using powerful metaphors. This knowledge allows bringing architecture closer to the common language of dwelling or of the daily experience of the work, its own life, rarely portrayed and disseminated.

In this sense, and to celebrate the end of the open call, we programmed a cinematographic marathon with the entire filmic work of Louise Lemoîne & Ila Bêka (by that time). Their films reveal these less-known aspects as they explore the many different receptions of the work of architecture. The films don't have any script. The interviews made to inhabitants, builders or members of the local community are always spontaneous. In the end, the films reveal the buildings' impact on life.

The screening included a roundtable with the filmmakers Ila Bêka and Louise Lemoine, joined by Edward Dimendberg and Luís Urbano.

From left to right: Luís Urbano, Ila Bêka, Louise Lemoine, Edward Dimendberg. Credits: Ordem dos Arquitectos.

I first met Ila Bêka and Louise Lemoine’s work in 2008 during Koolhaas Houselife screening at Storefront in New York, about which I wrote a small essay published in Log.

Cinematographic Marathon Living Architectures

Image credits: Ordem dos Arquitectos (Portuguese Architects Association).

The screening included a roundtable with the filmmakers Ila Bêka and Louise Lemoine, joined by Edward Dimendberg and Luís Urbano.

I first met Ila Bêka and Louise Lemoine’s work in 2008 during Koolhaas Houselife screening at Storefront in New York, about which I wrote a small essay published in Log.