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N a n k i n L a b M a g a z i n e • S p e c i a l C h a u m o n t F e s t i v a l 2 0 1 3 • N u m b e r O n e : T h e C o n c e p t

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Samuel Gonzalez

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El Salto LakeDavid Fisherman

Mexico, 2006

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We understand that any change has as a consequence certain degree of destruction and construction. Nature is the best example given its persistent and constant destructive transformation, eventhough is slow.

This change in nature originates from the pass of the time.

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Any material, even those that we consider still, is beaten by a slow wave of destruction. The atmospheric factors such as water, wind and temperature are the transforming elements of everything around us.

We then understand the erosion of time not as a simple form of destruction, but as a veneer process, a process that brings some values and forms completely new to the eroded object .

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SenseJhon StezakerLondon, 2006

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Yourcenar Marguerite

Timeis a

greatsculptor.

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It is crucial to distinguish the factors involved in destruction to fully comprehend its importance. The way it manifests may vary enormously depending on the actors dealing with it: Nature or Mankind.

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Affter EffectsDaniel del Nero,

Italy, 2010

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The only forces deep and long enough like the ones of destruction are probably the laws of construction. There is not any destructive process without a previous building procedure. Therefore, we can confirm that these are related mechanisms; even we can dare to declare they are part of the same process. Building is the first stage while destruction is the last, the speed between each other will be the time defined by nature’s metamorphosis.

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In essence, nature’s own destruction carries with itself a profound sense of creation. The worst natural disasters are nothing else but the nature’s answer to its own need. The fact that those needs are antagonic from humans’ is what lead us to endue a negative status to natural destruction.

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Twin TowersReuters

USA, 2001

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Differently, human destruction is innate to mankind. Since we are born we understand destruction from its most basic idea.

A child is capable of destroying an object either to assure himself over it or to get to know it, checking its insides and allowing the child to understand it better. In the same way, a forensic destroys a human body to gain knowledge about the inner structure; and a scientists shatters and divides materials to ascertain its composition.

Today, humanity owns a true power of destruction, even though the idea of destruction keeps on being a taboo. Being human a breakable agent, the idea of self-destruction determines a terrible idea around this word.

Because of that, many artistic movements such as cubism or futurism, have tried to dignify the concept of destruction. They have done so, by disassociating it to annihilation of materia and relate to its transformation. Understand that destruction oscillates under the same speed as construction and its aim can only be determined by man or nature.

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Rebuilding DestructionNankin Lab,Spain, 2012

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“Every act of creation is first of all an act of destruction”

Pablo Picasso

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N a n k i n L a b M a g a z i n e • S p e c i a l C h a u m o n t F e s t i v a l 2 0 1 3 • N u m b e r O n e : T h e C o n c e p tw w w . n a n k i n l a b . c o m

O r g a n i z e d b y E c o l e s a u Tr a v a i l , F e s t i v a l i n t e r n a t i o n a l d e l ’ a f f i c h e e t d u g r a p h i s m eC o l l a b o r a t i n g w i t h E l i s a v a S c h o o l o f D e s i g n a n d E n g i n e e r i n g o f B a r c e l o n a