The history of the VGDA

The third of March 1993, in the exhibition intitled "Beginning of works", the gallery Isy Brachot in Paris (now closed) premiered further development of the project.
For the first time, the shape of the container is clearly shown.

It exhibits a mock-up of a life-sized cross cut of the "Wind Pavilion"
container. It is a free interpretation made of corrugated carton picked up in distribution centres in Lyon. The supporting structure is constituted with 6 layers of double-thickness of corrugated carton, originally used for packing spare parts of Renault's vehicules.

Instead of giving a full description of each panel, it only has to remember that each panel is made with a piece of carton coming from the same family products. For instance, there are a few panels made of packaging for children toys, vegetables, videos, furniture, alcohols ... etc.
The structure is made of eight partitions of two panels assembled one above the other and on which a roof is fixed leaning against the gallery wall.

Inside, the panels show images, 6 boards represent half an image of 12 panels on which is painted "The Great Democratic Administration" on its site of Boulogne-Billancourt. Two other panels represent the map of "e" floor (connection with page 4 : anarchy). It is drawn with colour pencils. The other two boards put on the top stand out in relief a representation of the VGDA's twelve floors and its mecanic system.

The panel ""e" floor workers" is installed next to the white map / model of "e" floor ( connection with page 4 : equality).
On the upper two boards, a map of the "e" floor is given a painted free
interpretation.
At the end at the bottom, one panel represents the curving wooden floor of the "e" floor level.
The ceiling is constituted with panels representing various "artistic" views of the VGDA, such as :

workers evacuating different floors in case of fire.

oversestimation of the elevators in function.

the VGDA from SËvres bridge.

the mecanism of the transmission system of the GDA big wheel.

a civil servant in his/her office.

"e" floor aerial view.

the mechanical watch, engine for the VGDA's rotational motion.

the hydraulic pressure in the VGDA's elevators.

the floating system of the VGDA square.

oil change and filling in different tanks on each VGDA's floors.

biogaz installations and electrical production for the VGDA.

the bridge that leads to Seguin island.

Then, within the context of the Aperto in Venezia Biannual in June 1993,
there was a presentation of a mock-up and of a cross cut of one of the eight containers constituting the "Wind Pavilion". It was freely interpreted on corrugated carton picked up in various distribution centres in Lyon.

Sixteen panels, assembled next to each other thanks to pyramids and carton keystones, form a rectangle divided in two parts slightly out of line from each other so that it allows two entrances for the spectator.

In the middle of this room, there is a tapestry table with a VGDA mock-up.

Inside, a few panels are covered with letters in diverse materials forming altogether the word DEMOCRATIC.
Four other boards are showing the first panel fitting for the construction of the VGDA as followed :
1 - a basic drawing of the VGDA made by the creator himself with crushed materials coming from old Renault manufactures based on Seguin island.
2 - dimensional aerial view of Boulogne-Billancourt and Seguin island.
3 - the "VGDA" logo (first sketch)
(4) - At the background on the wall, a board is giving in three languages the explanation of the functioning of the VGDA.


The third of March 1993, in the exhibition intitled "Beginning of works", the gallery Isy Brachot in Paris (now closed) premiered further development of the project. For the first time, the shape of the container is clearly shown. It exhibits a mock-up of a life-sized cross cut of the "Wind Pavilion" container. It is a free interpretation made of corrugated carton picked up in distribution centres in Lyon. The supporting structure is constituted with 6 layers of double-thickness of corrugated carton, originally used for packing spare parts of Renault's vehicules. Instead of giving a full description of each panel, it only has to remember that each panel is made with a piece of carton coming from the same family products. For instance, there are a few panels made of packaging for children toys, vegetables, videos, furniture, alcohols ... etc. The structure is made of eight partitions of two panels assembled one above the other and on which a roof is fixed leaning against the gallery wall. Inside, the panels show images, 6 boards represent half an image of 12 panels on which is painted "The Great Democratic Administration" on its site of Boulogne-Billancourt. Two other panels represent the map of "e" floor (connection with page 4 : anarchy). It is drawn with colour pencils. The other two boards put on the top stand out in relief a representation of the VGDA's twelve floors and its mecanic system.

The panel ""e" floor workers" is installed next to the white map / model of "e" floor ( connection with page 4 : equality). On the upper two boards, a map of the "e" floor is given a painted free interpretation. At the end at the bottom, one panel represents the curving wooden floor of the "e" floor level. The ceiling is constituted with panels representing various "artistic" views of the VGDA, such as : workers evacuating different floors in case of fire. oversestimation of the elevators in function. the VGDA from SËvres bridge. the mecanism of the transmission system of the GDA big wheel. a civil servant in his/her office. "e" floor aerial view. the mechanical watch, engine for the VGDA's rotational motion. the hydraulic pressure in the VGDA's elevators. the floating system of the VGDA square. oil change and filling in different tanks on each VGDA's floors. biogaz installations and electrical production for the VGDA. the bridge that leads to Seguin island.
Then, within the context of the Aperto in Venezia Biannual in June 1993, there was a presentation of a mock-up and of a cross cut of one of the eight containers constituting the "Wind Pavilion". It was freely interpreted on corrugated carton picked up in various distribution centres in Lyon.
Sixteen panels, assembled next to each other thanks to pyramids and carton keystones, form a rectangle divided in two parts slightly out of line from each other so that it allows two entrances for the spectator. In the middle of this room, there is a tapestry table with a VGDA mock-up. Inside, a few panels are covered with letters in diverse materials forming altogether the word DEMOCRATIC. Four other boards are showing the first panel fitting for the construction of the VGDA as followed : 1 - a basic drawing of the VGDA made by the creator himself with crushed materials coming from old Renault manufactures based on Seguin island. 2 - dimensional aerial view of Boulogne-Billancourt and Seguin island. 3 - the "VGDA" logo (first sketch) (4) - At the background on the wall, a board is giving in three languages the explanation of the functioning of the VGDA.