Since 1995 Atelier van Lieshout, AVL, challenges the idea of the individual creator and is conceived as a working team for the collective design of sculptures, furniture, complete architectural refurbishments and mobile home units.
After the years the mobile home units became the trade mark of the AVL. The mobile units are large polyester constructions in striking, bright colours initially designed as made-to-order furniture for numerous international museums. The concept has gradually shifted to works of art that can be used for a selfsufficient and independent lifestyle.
In 2001 Atelier van Lieshout opened the AVL-Ville in the harbour of Rotterdam. Van Lieshout defines the project as free state and an autonomous space where everything is possible within a country over-regulated to an increasingly oppressive degree. AVL-Ville, has its own flag, its own constitution and its own money. The motto of AVL-Ville is: as long as it’s art, just about anything’s possible. The AVL-Ville'' is an autonomous self-sufficient space were all activities are conceived as a work of art, from food production, to generation of energy; from health care to entertainment.