Paul Jaray and the Shape of Necessity

6.11.2021 – 30.1.2022

Architecture of Speed

Six Key Points

  1. This long-overdue exhibition commemorates the centennial of Paul Jaray’s 1921 patent application, which marked a significant moment in automotive body design.

  2. The concept of private transportation has evolved from a means of liberation for the masses to a symbol of environmental harm, viewed as reckless in today’s context.

  3. Despite his numerous contributions to automotive technology, Paul Jaray died unnoticed and financially poor due to the erasure of his legacy during the Nazi regime.

  4. The artistic avant-garde was among the few to remember Jaray as a visionary advocate of technological utopia.

  5. Architecture of Speed juxtaposes Jaray’s theoretical innovations with the aesthetic beauty of his designs, featuring models and a life-sized car that once set speed records.

Title: ARCHITECTURE OF SPEED

Subtitle: Paul Jaray and the Shape of Necessity

  1. Jaray was a pioneer in optimizing car aerodynamics, emphasizing energy efficiency, and foresaw the need for alternative energy sources as fossil fuels began to dwindle.

Location:

Arsenale Institute
Castello, 1430/A
Riva dei Sette Martiri
I-30122 Venezia

Duration:

6 November 2021 – 30 January 2022

Opening hours:

10:30–12:30, 14:30–18:30
Website: www.arsenale.com

Curatorial Introduction

Paul Jaray (1889–1974) was a pioneering figure in automotive aerodynamics and was instrumental in shaping the industry. Despite his innovations—many of which are still relevant today—he faced significant challenges, including political persecution and obliviousness to his contributions to engineering.

His inability to address the political implications of his work reflects a broader historical narrative marked by conflict and oppression. The Nazi regime’s appropriation of his designs contributed to a narrative that marginalized his contributions.

Jaray’s focus on the mathematical optimization of vehicle design paralleled the broader cultural movements of his time, emphasizing a blend of art and science. This convergence fostered advancements in design that rejected convention and set the stage for the avant-garde movements of the early 20th century.

Paul Jaray's legacy, often overshadowed and underappreciated, offers insights into the complexities of identity, history, and innovation in the 20th century.

Press Images

1. Photographer: anon., © 2021 Archive Arsenale Institute, Venice
Portrait of Paul Jaray from the last year of his life, 1974.

2. Photographer: Adrian Sauer, © 2021 Arsenale Institute, Venice
Exhibition poster: the reconstruction of the Auto Union Lucca Car.

3. Photographer: anon., © 2021 Archive Arsenale Institute, Venice
The Auto Union Type B record-breaking car during its run on February 15, 1935.

4. The racing sedan with full aerodynamic bodywork.

5. The record-breaking run of the Auto Union Type B streamlined car.

6. Created by Hans Erni for Paul Jaray, this drawing illustrates flow dynamics in automotive design.

7. An early design drawing of the body shape of the Lucca Car by Paul Jaray.

8. A pre-war model of the Lucca Car from Sun Rubber.

9. A view of the collection of models of Jaray’s streamlined racing cars.

Participating Institutions

  • Project Holder: ARCH+ Verein zur Förderung des Architektur und Stadtdiskurses e.V., Berlin.
  • Executing Institution: Arsenale Institute for Politics of Representation, Venice.
  • Concept and Curating: Dr. Wolfgang Scheppe, Zürich.