Installed in London’s historic Charterhouse Square, British sculptor Alex Chinneck’s ‘A Week at the Knee’s creates a playful illusion of a Georgian-style townhouse façade buckling at the knees. The distorted brick façade captivates onlookers by challenging the traditional and assumed rigidity of architecture whilst creating an archway for visitors to walk through. “I like the idea that it’s reclining and relaxing – so it’s on a kind of vacation,” said Chinneck of the sculpture’s title. “But it feels like a human figure in a way, and the knees are in the air. I like the play on words.
The fluidity of the design leads onlookers to challenge the integrity and materiality of the installation. The installation is made from elements associated with the construction of traditional Georgian style buildings; Chinneck’s design consists of 7,000 real bricks and 4.6 tonnes of repurposed steel, salvaged from the former American Embassy in London. To achieve the curved appearance, Chinneck collaborated with manufacturers—Michelmersh Brick Holdings PLC, FabSpeed, and Crittall Windows—to develop bespoke bending bricks, windows, and doors that integrate into the sculpture's melting form.
Installation is open to the public and will remain on display until early July 2025, offering a whimsical take on the intersection of art, architecture, and public engagement.
