Terrain Vague
Artistic research and placard action
Frankfurt / Main, 1.7.-7.7.1996
The city and the wilderness.
12 residual areas as free space in the city.
TERRAIN VAGUE means undefined plots, no man’s land, undefined ground, vague terrain.
TERRAIN VAGUE searches for fallow land in the city, plots without purpose, uncultivated, wild and re-conquered by nature.
TERRAIN VAGUE is inhabited by animals, crossed by people and overgrown by plants.
TERRAIN VAGUE gives meaning through description, value through observance.
TERRAIN VAGUE draws the attention to seemingly valueless and meaningless free spaces in the city.
Fallow lands, imbruted areas between traffic areas, undefined areas without dedication and function were sought out in the urban areas of Frankfurt and marked with a sign. The sign showed a symbolic drawing and the inscription TERRAIN VAGUE
A placard with the same drawing and inscription was affixed on public ad spaces and completed with the addresses of the places with a sign in the urban space of Frankfurt. This placard action was supposed to make people think about the meaning of fallow lands in otherwise excessively developed living spaces and the relationship between the city and the wilderness. It was an invitation to walk through and explore this TERRAIN VAGUE.
1 Kurt-Schumacher Straße (between Battonstr. and Allerheiligenstr.)
2 Vilbeler Straße (in front of the municipal utility)
3 Konrad-Adenauer Straße (in front of the court house)
4 Hanauer Landstraße (in front of fire station)
5 Danziger Platz (in front of Ostbahnhof)
6 Seehofstraße (next to educational authority)
7 Mörfelder Landstraße (between Stresemannallee and railway bridge)
8 Untermainanlage (between Wilhel-leuschner Str. and Untermainkai)
9 Taunusanlage (between Opernplatz and Junghofstr.)
10 Ludwig-Erhard Anlage (next to Messeturm, disused pond)
11 Idsteinerstraße (next to DB-Headquarters)
12 Opelrondell (underneath the A 648)
