The Delve Contemporary Arts Centre is located in the grounds of the Synagogue de Delme, in Delme, France. French designers, Berdaguer and Pejus were appointed to create an installation to mark the 20th anniversary of the arts centre and to provide a new reception space and studios of the resident artists.
The Gue(ho)st House is the transformation of a pre-existing structure on the grounds which had previously been a prison, school and funeral parlor, but had now fallen into disrepair. The project was triggered by a phrase of Marcel Duchamp in explanation of the root word of ghost: a guest + a host. The old house was transformed into a stark white ghostly apparition when its facade was covered with a layer of high density polystyrene, creating a surreal dali-esque image of liquidity in the structure, emphasized by the sharp contrast with the conservative lines of the neighbouring buildings.
In addition to the role that the controversial installation will play as part of the facilities of the arts centre, it is intended to become a venue for fundraising events to support activities within the community of Delme.
