Towards open form

This book presents a comprehensive overview of Oskar Hansen's Open Form, serving as both a detailed exploration of his work and a monograph. It consists of two parts: the first showcases various aspects of Hansen’s work, curated by the author, while the second offers a chronological timeline of significant events in Hansen's life and career. The visual design reflects the Open Form concept, allowing content to 'flow' seamlessly from one topic to another. A nontextual introduction is derived from the Polish catalogue for the 1960 Milan Triennial. Interviews with Joanna Mytkowska and Hans Ulrich Obrist bridge the two sections. The structure follows Hansen's MACRO – MEZZO – MICRO framework, illustrating the Open Form idea by moving from broad concepts (MODEL) to urban planning (MACRO), housing designs (MEZZO), and specific projects like buildings and gardens (MICRO). The chronology intertwines these areas, each represented by distinct colors: black for MODEL, green for MACRO, blue for MEZZO, yellow for MICRO, and gray for pedagogy and special events. The author’s insights and selected works, along with drawings from 2004, encapsulate the essence of Open Form through a temporal lens.