Interview with the Untergunther

The Architechts' Journal has sat down for an exclusive interview with what is arguably the coolest guerrilla organization in our modern age. We last heard of the Untergunther (or visit their blog) when they secretly, unofficially, and successfully restored Paris' Pantheon clock.

"[they] inhabited the Panthéon for a year in an improvised clubhouse-atelier that included built-on-site chairs, a library, heating, an internet connection and a hotplate. Under the direction of professional clockmaker Jean-Baptiste Viot, they painstakingly restored the rusted monumental clock, cleaning the components and making new parts. On 24 December 2006, to the shock and awe of the administration, the clock began to chime. "

In the real world, Lazar Kunstmann and Lanso (both pseudonyms), are a video editor and photographer. But in the Untergunther, they are spokesperson and founder of an approximately 120 strong guerrilla organization that keeps watch over "ignored, invisible or abandoned cultural heritage sites, the nonsensically named Untergunther comprises just a fraction – the restoration wing – of an expansive umbrella group known as the UX, who've been acting as the de facto guardians of subterranean Paris for over 25 years."

Read the rest of the article at the Architechts' Journal.

This all really makes me want to dig deep into New York City's basements, sewers, and abandoned factories to see what kind of beauty we can restore in our backyards. While it's doubtful that Bushwick, Brooklyn's hidden treasures even begin to compare to the dark and mysterious underground of Paris, something tells me with enough eyes scouring our neighborhoods something awesome may lie just under out streets.

If you know of anything going down that I don't, shoot me a clue at bkries (at) gmail (dot) com!