NEW BABYLON

CONSTANT

After the war, the Dutch artist and theorist Constant (Nieuwenhuys) was one of the driving forces behind the experimental Cobra movement (1948-1951). After the disintegration of the group, and inspired by reconstruction and increasing automation in the ’50s, Constant embarks on a massive and visionary project called New Babylon. 

New Babylon is a reflection of Constant’s ideas about the modern city and society. Influenced by Marxism, he argues for a future society in which art is made not only for but above all by the people. Through drawings, models and spatial constructions he creates a new world, a living environment for the ‘playing man’, creative, and free of work and boundaries. Above existing cities, new living environments are created where everyone is free to go wherever they want.