Archive: Frieze Academy Art & Architecture Conference presents Richard Rogers, Jamie Fobert, Kulapat Yantrasast

Since early days, Cork Street Galleries has enjoyed a partnership with Frieze Academy’s Art & Architecture Conference. In 2018, the summit’s third iteration took place at Mayfair’s The Royal Institution, a short walk from the street that introduced major art movements to the UK.

Hosted by award-winning critic and author Alice Rawsthorn, leading art and architecture protagonists met a rousing set of questions: to what extent are cultural buildings public spaces? And what function do museums and galleries have beyond exhibiting art?

Richard Rogers, in conversation with Alice Rawsthorn

In 1977, Richard Rogers’ Centre Pompidou, with collaborator Renzo Piano, turned every-thing inside out – literally. The rebel architecture, with its utilities on the outside, has long passed polarising opinion to become regarded, as with much shock-of-the-new. “I took it from the social end,” begins Rogers. “A place for all people, all ages, all creeds, the rich and the poor.”

Jamie Fobert, in conversation with National Portrait Gallery Director, Dr Nicholas Cullinan

Jamie Fobert’s beginnings in the art world were defined by working with temporary exhi-bitions. Understanding what curators looked for, and the mediation, he has arrived at a place where character can sophisticatedly enter the mix. “You want [the environment] to have presence, you want it to create a context for the artwork but you don’t want to over-power the artwork,” he tells. Foubert is known for his award-winning Tate Ives extension, renovation of Kettle’s Yard and the planned transformation of the NPG.

Kulapat Yantrasast, in conversation with curator and writer Shumi Bose

Kulapat Yantrasast recognises the museum as a cultural production playground.
“In an age where a lot of people can do things in their life online at home, if people dress up and go out, you have to give them reason to be inspired, reason to want to go out,” he pinpoints. “They want to love life, a reason to love human beings. That’s a lofty goal, but that’s what I believe.” Yantrasast’s projects include LA’s David Kordansky Gallery and San Francisco’s Asian Art Museum.