Books for Burning?

In summer 2008 the first Fonds BKVB residency hosted by the Contemporary Art Centre, Vilnius, invited Kevin van Braak and Rossella Biscotti to spend three months in Lithuania to develop new work.

During the residency, the I developed a multi-functioning fire-powered oven. Built to specifications that result in an evocative blocky form, reminiscent of Constructivist Futurist tendencies of power/direction/movement, the oven is made of steel with different compartments for different purposes. On top of one of the many interlocking rectangular planes is a hotplate to grill food, encased in another water is boiled, its steam siphoned off to heat vegetables, different compartments for baking sit within the miniature factory and a hot tub is heated by the same fire. There is no single focal point to the oven as its activity is dispersed and five people are needed to operate it – from stoking the fire to tending the various cooking and leisure pursuits.
The environment created by the oven with its sculptural form and fruits of its function, is one of enjoyment and activity. This production is made more poignant when considering its is all being fuelled by books.