Inspirational Installations

This week I’m searching the internet for architectural installation inspiration. My teacher is trying to get permission for the third and fourth year architecture students to temporarily transform a space in our high school with a 3-D interactive installation piece.

I’ve always loved installations because their short-term nature creates nearly limitless possibilities for designers. The practical limitations that normally impinge upon architects’ creativity no longer apply in these transient projects. This installations are innovative fusions of art and architecture that truly impact viewers. Here are some of my favorites…

Picnurbia by Vivia Vancouver

This past August, on a trip to Vancouver I was fortunate enough to see this curvaceous stretch of bright yellow turf installed by Vivia Vancouver. They took over a street in the heart of downtown Vancouver, right outside of the Vancouver Art Gallery. The designers created this installation to present locals with an opportunity to take a break from hectic urban life to slow down, relax, and maybe even have a picnic.

My own photo of Picnurbia

Tablecloth by Ball Nogues Studio

In 2010, one of my favorite installation groups, Ball Nogues, combined 268 tables and stools to create this space for student to perform and socialize in UCLA’s Schoenberg Hall Courtyard. As the “tablecloth” meets the ground, it creates an intimate sitting area for students, which enables viewers to interact with the installation. This genius collaboration with the UCLA schools of Architecture and Urban Design, Music, and Design Media Arts not only increased visitors’ experience, but it also enhanced the acoustic qualities of the space. On of the aspects of this design that impressed me most is its lack of waste, because when they tore down the design, they donated all of the seats and tables to provide extra seating for members of the UCLA community.

Designbloom's coverage of Tablecloth

Swimming Pool by Argentine artist Leandro Erlich

In both New York’s Art Center and Japan’s 21 Century Art Museum, Leandro Erlich built  full-sized swimming pools for his installations, and filled only the top 10 centimeters with water, reserving the space below it as an empty space that viewers can enter. His disorienting piece creates the illusion of the visitors standing fully clothed, breathing at the bottom of the swimming pool.

Bored Panda's Coverage of Fake Swimming Pool

2007 SCI-Arc Installation

Each year SCI-Arc Freshmen work together to design a series of installations that they put up throughout the building to showcase student innovation and creativity. When I visited the campus, it was amazing to hear that the faculty worked with the fire department to update the building so that students could build their incredible design without breaking fire code. I was equally amazed to learn that students only a year older than me were able to create the design and lead the execution of making this incredible installation a reality.

Archinect coverage of SCI-Arc installation

Stacked Chairs by Doris Salcedo

Salcedo transformed an empty lot with this avant-garde sculpture using 1,550 chairs piled atop each other for the International Instanbul Biennale in 2003. By occupying a space normally occupied by humans with chairs, objects that humans normally occupy, she elevates these mundane objects to create a thought-provoking art installation.

Wooster Collective's coverage of Stacked Chairs

Green Drink Installation in Auckland, New Zealand

The designers unveiled this installation at the monthly Green Drink sustainability talks in Auckland in 2008. The incorporation of living plants heightens the organization’s message about the importance of working to improve the planet’s wellbeing. I love the wittiness behind the designer’s idea of replacing the polluting toxins that normally spill out of massive barrels, with fresh life.

Celsias's coverage of Green Drinks installation in Auckland, New Zealand

Mirror of Judgement by Michelangelo Pistoletto at the Serpentine Gallery

Pistoletto wrapped shoulder-high cardboard in a swirling maze to force visitors to travel through the space to view the collection of Christian, Islamic, Jewish, and Buddhist sculptures. I think it is wonderful how he forces visitors to build patience and understanding as they move through the narrow spaces in order to view the art. The cardboard installation  truly enhances visitors’ openness and appreciation of the various religions.

Dezeen's coverage of the Mirror of Judgement by Michelangelo Pistoletto at the Serpentine Gallery

Park(ing) in the City…A look at cool urban buildings that incorporate outdoor green spaces

For my current architecture project, I am designing a city center in Downtown Los Angeles with a park/garden on the roof as a way to introduce more green space to the crowded metropolitan area. I am planning to include open space for children to run around, picnic tables, a fire pit, tree swings, and various community garden spaces.

Here is a round up of cool green buildings that inspired my design. It’s amazing how these innovative designs combine science and architecture to benefit the environment and enrich people’s experiences!

Rooftop garden atop a home in Gunma, Japan by R A Architects 

From Dornob

VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitor Centre in Vancouver, Canada By Parkins + Will

From PerkinsWill

Organic Roof at Nanyang Technology University in Singapore by CPG Corporation

From Inhait

Rooftop Garden on Manhattan, New York’s Solitaire Building

From Way Faring Travel Guide

RAU Architects’ Green office 2015: office space meets park

From Inhabit

Graft Work’s Roof Garden in Greenwich, New York

From Dornob

Villa Bio by Enric Ruiz Geli in Barcelona, Spain

From ArchDaily

Walklet modular mini park by Rebar Architects 

From RebarGroup

Aija Borisova’s plan for Jubilee Gardens

From Aija Borisova

It’s an Artshow…it’s a Circus…It’s Mr. Brainwash

Yesterday I went to see the one day extension of Thierry Guetta’s Art Show 2011 in West Hollywood. The show had originally been open in LA from December 25-19, but because of it’s tremendous success they brought it back for one more day, so I lucked out!

The street artist, better known by the name Mr. Brainwash gained both fame and criticism from the 2010 documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop.

Here is a contribution by one of the local artists who came in October

Here's a piece made by another volunteer artist

He bought the 80,000 square foot abandoned warehouse on the corner or Romaine and La Brea. After extensive repairs on the old industrial building, Mr. Brainwash opened the space up in early October to any artists who wanted to contribute to the show, hence emphasizing the grassroots nature of the street art movement that is taking the world by storm. Talented street artists throughout LA had the opportunity to work among their peers and display their art without fear of legal action.

Mr. Brainwash’s main talent is is tremendous enthusiasm and great desire to entertain people. He wanted Art Show 2011 to be a joyous, interactive event put on purely for the enjoyment of viewers, not to sell art. He gave away thousands of posters, signed autographs, encouraged people to take stuffed animals, and had a local band preform hourly. This brought some of the focus away from the art itself and transformed it into a more experiential event.

Here are people lining up inside the show to get copies of the free posters

Here are the free stuffed animals that he encouraged people to take home with them

The four viewable floors were filled with large scale sculptures, graffiti, and art-ified everyday objects.  True to his “pop art meets street art” theme, he featured many famous figures and logos in his work. Local artists of the Seventh Letter crew spray painted all of the stairways, further attesting to Guetta’s desire to encourage various artists to collaborate in his Populism-driven show.

Here is Mr. Brainwash making some guerilla art

While I was there with Goose, Guetta locked himself on one of the balconies, while he proceeded to climb onto a billboard and add his own spontaneous addition to a billboard. He also had Street Drum Corps. perform every hour within one of the spray painted alcoves. Guetta seemed to genuinely be enjoying himself as he videotaped the drummers, signed autographs, and posed for pictures.

Here is the live drumming show

The controversial artist, who some would even argue is not an artist at all, is certainly a gifted entertainer who knows how to attract crowds and give them something worth talking about. I can’t thank Goose enough for sacrificing his Sunday football schedule to come check out this art show with me. Although the art itself appeared rather uninspired and mass-produced, it was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon and made me even more thankful to live in this amazing city, where there’s always something new to see!

 

Here's the postcard that Mr. Brainwash autographed for me while he walked around the show.

Rainforest…in Los Angeles?

As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, I took my two younger sisters on a hike to try to find the hidden rainforest on the Fryman Canyon hike. Sadly, although we hiked for nearly two hours saw various rainforest signs, our tummies started grumbling too much by 3 PM and we decided to abort the mission until next time.

Even though we failed to find the rainforest, we still had a lovely hike from the Nancy Hoover Pohl Overlook down to Wilacre Park. We saw beautiful views of Los Angeles as a whole and the massive homes in the hills too.

It was a surpisingly warm day for early January, so we were thankful that the tree cover which encases the narrow path was there to keep us cool during our hike.

Unlike the Franklin Canyon trails, which gradually build up the reach a cingular point, these paths cover much more land as they continually wind up and down the hillside. This enables hikers to look down on the valley of houses from various angles and elevations.

As we exited the trail onto Iredell Lane it was a bit of a relief to move narrow, rocky paths to wide, paved roads, but the real treat was getting to admire the massive house that studded the canyon road.

The wide range of architectural styles, from whimsical cottages to modern houses, pleasantly surprised me. The massive lots and more remote locations clearly allow more building freedom than most areas in Beverly Hills.

This was a great way to visit yet another new area of LA during the last few days of winter break. I’m so proud of my little sisters for climbing over the rocks and dealing with the slippery slopes without ever complaining, and even better,  ending the hike injury-free. The next time any of you, my wonderful readers, find yourselves with a little spare time, I strongly encourage you to explore the nature escapes near you! Whether you live in a big city and have to really search for grassy spots or you are surrounded by them in the countryside, I hope that spending a few hours exploring nature will give you the same sense of clarity and relaxation that it gave me.

Bohemian Rhapsody in Culver City

As I mentioned in my post yesterday, I had lunch with my mom and two of my sisters, checked out an eccentric art exhibition, shopped in a few quirky boutiques, and loaded up on produce at the farmer’s market… and I did all this within a ten-block section of Culver City.

First we had lunch at Royal T, a zany cafe/store/gallery where elegant furnishings contrasted with the utilitarian space.

I ordered a delicious Tuna Tataki salad and a pot of yuzu green tea.

After lunch we walked around the art space where the current display showed a mishmash of recycled objects used in unconventional ways.

Before leaving Royal T, we looked around the store that is continually restocked by various curators. The various unnecessary, but wonderful nicknacks made me chuckle.

As we walked through Culver City, we passed a variety of beautiful, historic buildings including the Culver Hotel, the Citizen Publishing and Printing Company, and Ashaka Restaurant.

Next we shopped around a great gift boutique called Lundeen’s where they had a great assortment of cards, toys, and house wares.

Last, but certainly not least, we shopped around Culver City’s weekly farmer’s market that happens every Tuesday from 3-7. There were about two dozen vendors selling everything from crafts to prepared food to organic produce. I bought a hand carved “Namaste” sign, korean kimchee, winter citrus, and a variety of vegetables to make homemade vegetable broth later this week. 

I had a wonderful adventure in Culver City yesterday afternoon and I highly recommend that any of my readers who live near LA make sure to check out the many shops, restaurants, and markets that the city has to offer!