Video Description

In this HENI Talks film, we dive into the imaginative world of Sir Peter Cook's drawings, a pioneering British architect and co-founder of the avant-garde group, Archigram in conversation with Hans Ulrich Obrist. Renowned for his radical re-imaginings of urban landscapes, Cook’s vibrant artworks offer a window into cities of the future, blending architectural precision with artistic flair. With a career spanning over six decades, Sir Peter Cook (b. 1936) has been instrumental in challenging conventional architectural norms. His work, characterised by bold colours and dynamic forms, envisions cities that are both functional and fantastical. Beyond his architectural achievements, Cook’s paintings stand as independent artworks, which are celebrated worldwide. In this video, we explore: 🔹A selection of Cook’s iconic paintings, including pieces from his “City Landscapes” series and “Plug-in” series, a visionary urban megastructure incorporating residences, access routes, and essential services for its inhabitants. 🔹Insights into his creative process and the stories behind his visionary works. 🔹His thoughts on architecture and Archigram. 🔹His early life and influences growing up. 🔹The post-war generation & post- war mindset. 🔹 His early drawings – Walking City, Instant City, Arcadia. 🔹The Architectural Association 🔹His lockdown drawings and modern ways of thinking about housing estates. 🔹His university building in Vienna. 🔹His drawing studio in Bournemouth. If you enjoyed this film and want to explore more art by Sir Peter Cook, HENI and Serpentine have released ‘Bubble Suburb’, a limited edition print by Cook created on the occasion of his Play Pavilion at Serpentine. More information: https://heni.com/editions/bubble-suburb 🔔 Subscribe for more films on Art history. http://tinyurl.com/HENITalks 👍 Like, Comment & Share! Produced by HENI Talks