AMPHIS : Folke Kobberling & Martin Kaltwasser

Wysing's gallery is currently exhibiting documentary material from the making of AMPHIS. The work includes a film by Wysing studio artist Helen Judge which documents the responses of some of the volunteers who helped Folke and Martin build the structure over the six week period. The exhibition, which continues until 11 September, includes examples of past work by the two German artists.

What is Amphis?

Amphis is a word that doesn’t exist. It has been invented by artists Folke Köbberling and Martin Kaltwasser, who have been working together since 1998, to describe a structure that they built in the grounds of Wysing Arts Centre in the summer of 2008. Amphis is a form of amphitheatre, where people can come together to discuss, debate, watch films or hang out.

As a starting point for the artists, the notion that this is one project that embraces many elements and ideas is central. Amphis itself houses many voices literally ‘under one roof’. The roof is an important symbol within the project, embracing all the elements within it and forming a protective cover under which ideas can be discussed and expanded.

Amphis crosses the disciplines of art and architecture – Folke is a visual artist and Martin an architect – and much of the thinking behind the project comes from their shared interest in changes within architecture.

What Folke and Martin did with Amphis was create a structure that embraces the ideas of many people in one big patchwork ‘house’ filled with practical, structural and sculptural elements. Every element of Amphis was built using materials donated to the project.

With thanks to the volunteers who helped in the creation of Amphis, including:

Danny Boyle
Claire Ward
Robin Turner
CJ Mahony
Bryony Graham
Debbie Lauder
Linda Thomas
Phoebe O'Donnell
Rachel Barker
Gideon Pain
Heath Bunting
Ele Holloway
Elizabeth Murton
Christina Green
Ben Short
Stephen Draycott
Mark Mau
Jane & David Crawford White
Charlotte & Martin Parker Hall
Julian Brown and family
Kim Stephens
Steve & Paul Carpenter
Judy Cowell
Andrew Tanser
William Cruikshank
Charlotte Schneider
Clara Grosse
(apologies if we have forgotten anyone!)

And with many thanks to the following for donation of materials:

Lucas Morley
Donarbon
Hill Partnerships
Redrow Homes, St Neots
The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge
O'Sullivan Shopfitting Ltd, Cambridge
Labute Group Ltd, Cambridge
SDC Builders Ltd
5th Studio Architects
KA Anderton Haulage, Bourn

And to Stephen Robinson for the loan of his van