A Catalan becomes new director of the most transgressive gallery in New York

New York (ACN).- Eva Franch, from Deltebre, in southern Catalonia, is the new director of the StoreFront for Art and Architecture of New York, one of the most transgressive architecture galleries in the world. StoreFront is an institution difficult to define, but with a clear objective: it aims to provoke. 'It is a space for artists to look for alternative ways of expression and new modes of changing cities', Franch said in an interview with the CNA. 'There is no room for mediocrity', she added.

The New York's StoreFront for Art and Architecture is somewhere between an architecture gallery, an organisation and a discussion forum. Catalan artists such as Enric Miralles and Antoni Muntades as well as international figures like Peter Cook have all displayed their projects here. 'We show the creations that will be displayed at MoMa in 10 years', Franch stated.

The StoreFront is a non-profit organisation funded in 1982 that aims to show the most innovative techniques in architecture, art and design. The managing team regularly organises exhibitions, talks, video showings, conferences and performances to generate a dialogue amongst those interested in art and work as a discussion forum for new talents. The gallery is financed through the collaborations of its directors, its members and sponsors who offer voluntary donations.

The new director of StoreFront, Eva Franch, really loves her work. 'This is not an exhibition centre, but rather a place to generate new discourse and thinking', she said. According to Franch, the gallery offers an opportunity to projects that are perhaps more 'problematic' and unknown at present. 'What we show is unlikely to be accepted or understood by society, especially one that is used to consuming art in an easy way', argued the director of StoreFront. She said that someone visiting MoMA or the Guggenheim Museum sees 'values already made', while in StoreFront the visitor experiences 'a moment of surprise'.  

Barcelona vs New York

Eva Franch started her studies in architecture in Barcelona, but later developed her career in Holland and the United States. Before moving to her current position at StoreFront, she worked as a teacher at the universities of Houston and Buffalo. The managing board of StoreFront chose her for the job, out of eighty applicants from all over the world. 'I always try to reinvent myself', she said. This is just the attitude she needs to direct an art gallery once managed for artists such as New Yorker architects Kyong Park and Joseph Grima, the Iranian Shirin Neshat and Sarah Herda. 

Despite being in New York, Franch keeps an eye on what is going on in Catalonia, and especially in Barcelona, as she would love to create a show 'made in Catalonia'. In fact, Franch argued that Barcelona 'has a more intense and modern architectural discourse than New York' because artists have been able to transform their work as the democratic process in the country has developed. 'New York did not have an agenda to reinvent itself in the last thirty years. But Barcelona and Catalonia had to', she said. According to Franch, architecture is closely linked to its political and social context and 'should play a role in the world' today, especially considering the new crisis.

There is nowhere in the world like StoreFront in New York. The institution is the only one in the American city that focuses on architecture and space design. It  has just 100 square meters to do so, but the store's main attraction is actually outdoors. The main façade of the StoreFront building has been strikingly designed by artist Vito Acconzi and architect Stiven Holl. It is made up of 12 irregularly shaped panels that turn on pivot points, swinging open to let light and air into the interior. 'The façade is the example of what StoreFront is', Franch said. It was in fact what rendered the building illegal when it was first built, twenty years ago. However, Eva Franch has said they will be receiving all relevant  documentation in due course.

'This façade was built in just one night, and illegally. Twenty years later, it's catalogued as one of the most important buildings in the city but at the same time, it's still illegal. We are working towards finally having a legal façade. Is it important? No. One realises that sometimes architecture must challenge norms', she argued.

More than one thousand artists have displayed their work at StoreFront including the Catalans Enric Miralles, Antoni Muntades and Carme Pinós as well as international figures such as Peter Cook, Diller`Scofidio, Tony Feher, Dan Graham, Coop Himmelblau, Alfredo Jaar, Kiki Smith and Lebbeus Woods.