Having studied some architecture and design in my college days, the topic still has great interest to me today. Hence the fascination with buildings, placement surroundings, function and design in all cities I visit (sometimes people just get in the way of my pictures). I stumbled upon this very small triangular art space at 97 Kenmare at Cleavland (Little Italy/SOHO) a little over a year ago which had some interesting student projects on politics and global culture: The Storefront for Art and Architecture. It’s easily missed unless you, like me are intrigued by protruding panels and geometric entrance ways that swing open to the street and visa versa into the space.
Over the weekend I came by again, realizing I’ve missed this space many times since it’s initial opening in 1993. The current exhibit is based on a collaboration of many designers and architects from Copenhagen, displaying large scale models of current works in Belgium and other locations. Here’s a video of the construction of the BIG lego tower:
The space is only about 100 feet and takes about 15 minutes to view most of the material – check it if you’re in the area.
There was once a time where I thought I wanted to be an architect or designer of creative, abstract structures for the public. I had a very supportive graphics design teacher in high school, who taught be the basics of hand drafting including perspective, shading, and dimension. After 4 months I was able to scale and sketch a replica of my interior and exterior designed dream house, which I entered into the state fair and won a first prize for.
Click on the links for the museum to read more on the exhibit. He should be important to New Yorkers because he’s the one that designed the new World Trade Center Hub (pictured above) – should it ever get completed. Not only that, everyone should experience the sight or even a walk through of some of his work. He’s a universal artist and engineer that combines science, art, technology and engineering into workable and beautifully livable structures. Inspired by nature, his work embodies a sense of potential movement or fluidity erupting from white concrete, glass, cables and steel struts.
I especially enjoyed the sketching, modeling and final photographic results of the Alamillo Bridge in Seville, Spain and the