Dilbert

Separated at Birth

Libeskind

Zaha Hadid

Gehry

Jean Nouvel

Johnson

Again I emphasize how much mirage studio 7 has changed my life!

link

Archigram

After all the research I did for my final project, I could probably write a slew of posts just on kinetic architecture but this one I thought was especially interesting: Archigram

According to wikipedia:


Archigram was an avant-garde architectural group formed in the 1960s - based at the Architectural Association, London - that was futurist, anti-heroic and pro-consumerist, drawing inspiration from technology in order to create a new reality that was solely expressed through hypothetical project

(already at this point I loved it... futurist... anti-hero... avant-garde... i'm there!)

This was their most famous project that reminded me of my final project as well. Sure this is all far out and most likely will never happen blah blah but man is this cool or what?

The Walking City, Ron Herron, 1964

The Walking City is constituted by intelligent buildings or robots that are in the form of giant, self contained living pods that could roam the cities. The form derived from a combination of insect and machine and was a literal interpretation of Corbusier's aphorism of a house as a machine for living in. The pods were independent, yet parasitic as they could 'plug in' to way stations to exchange occupants or replenish resources. The citizen is therefore a serviced nomad not totally dissimilar from today's executive cars. The context was perceived as a future ruined world in the aftermath of a nuclear war.

bloggy time

Firstly, please allow me to gloat on how well critiques went. No bodily fluids were spilt and nothing blew up in my face. The critics were genuinely intrigued by what I had to say and when it was done I felt great.

Well in related news, one of my critics was none other than Jeana Ripple, hailing from Studio Gang. DROOL ! Come to think of it under the guidance of my studio professor I'd had the opportunity to have some direct contact with some of the "sexiest" firms ... and for that I'm thankful. Anyhow, I mention this not only to gloat but to note the similarity between my project and their firm's Starlight Theatre


OK so this doesn't roll break into 30 different pieces nor does it 'teeter' away, but it is modular and transformative. This picture begins to show the roof which folds open.

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Another project similar to mine I suppose would be the Prada transformer. It's a building that rolls from one facade to the other to best suit its need for that moment.



After seeing this kind of sensational architecture day in and day out I suppose it's going to be difficult to work again at a firm that sticks to designing cookie cutter houses.

Quick Music Blip

Again I repeat I am in final mode BUT needed to thumbs-up the music that has been pulling me through


1. Joanna Newsom... beautiful voice

2. Black Moth Super Rainbow.... my new favorite of the moment and just real good feel good music

3. Dan Deacon... awesomely Animal Collective divided by two plus some pizazz...


Now I can render in peace.

Lawyers, Prostitutes, Architects

Nabbed from MirageStudio7:

Whenever you see the word “Client” in something to do with building, you know there just has to be an architect involved because no one else in the building game ever refers to anyone as “clients.” It is such a strange word, isn’t it? In a shop you are a customer, on a train you are a passenger, in a hospital you are a patient, in a class you are a student, in the economy at large you’d be a consumer. But client? The only people who have clients are lawyers, architects and prostitutes, all of whom have to live with the reputation that they are simply out to screw you. Only the prostitute is honest about it.”

New Favorite Blog

http://blog.miragestudio7.com/

in the middle of finals... no time to blog... but there's something cool

Reuben Margolin

Much of this past week was spent researching kinetic architecture and sculpture for my final project. Reuben Margolin is one person that really stuck out and someone I feel the need to share with everyone I know. His kinetic sculptures emulate waves and are these magical beings that put you in a daze.

His Portfolio

The Video that made me fall in love. It's really worth a watch!

Lastly MAKE: television ... a new obsession

Earthworms and Rain

Walking home at 4:30am after rainshower I noticed hundreds of earthworms that lay in on the pavement aerating. It rains several times a week in Pittsburgh so perhaps this is just the first time I'm noticing it, but it's incredible looking at all these slimy things in your way. Next time I'll try to take a picture. 

God= Architect

God=Architect
Me= Architect


Me= God?

Jim Henson Company

Wow now that I'm in my blogging fury it makes me wonder how I could have gone so long without the expulsion of all the great things I've been seeing.


Henry introduced me to (forcefed me) Mirrormask, perhaps one of the most magical movies I've seen in my entire life. And unlike The Fall, this one actually has a developed plot while still remaining captivating frame to frame droool. I've watched it multiple times now and it has even been the inspiration for portions of my final project. That good.


one of my fave scenes




Then to follow up I watched The Labryinth which er... has less of a plot but David Bowie plays a dark lord of the gnomes which is great. He randomly breaks into song and evil laughter which makes it work watching I suppose. Next up: Dark Crystal

Behind the Times

Surely I'm behind the times but the artist of the week: Joanna Newsom.


I stumbled upon her when I was researching kinetic sculptures on youtube here.

Her voice is so enchanting and reminded me somewhat of Bjork I suppose. Ga so enchanting.

Hipsters

I haven't updated in a bit so here goes: In the past two weeks or so many many great artists have been in Pittsburgh lecturing and I had the opportunity to see them all!

1. Marjane Satrapi, aka Ms. Persepolis, came to talk at Carnegie Music Hall and she was what I expect Zaha Hadid to be- a rebellious chainsmoking diva. She explained her life/graphic novel and I guess I didn't learn much new but still cool to meet the person that wrote such a book.




2. Spike Lee oppositely wasn't such a joy to see. I don't know what I expected but this punk was a fresh condescending reincarnation of the Rev Al Sharpton. He had me so angry just because he was soo icky. When a fan asked him a question about a movie he simply replied "Don't you have netflix? Watch the movie. Next question.". What a little diva.




3. Andrew Bird was scrumptious. On top of his good looks and oozing charisma, he was a pretty awesome musician. One minute he was pizzicato on the violin, the next arco at full strength... then all of a sudden he'll whip out an electric guitar and start strumming away all while using that beautiful voice of his. Droolworthy performance.



4. Aaron Betsky, architect extraordinare was pretty interesting as well. I had to leave his lecture early to go to Satrapi's but I stayed long enough to hear his extended comparisons of architecture to sex. Sexchitecture- very nice.