Apple Releases COVID-19 App

Apple has released a free app that provides basic information about COVID-19, along with a “screening tool” (i.e. a questionnaire) to help you determine what to do next.

The COVID-19 app has up-to-date information from trusted sources about the coronavirus disease that is impacting people across the world. It has a screening tool so you can find out what you should do now for yourself or for a loved one. And it gives you access to resources you may need to feel supported and informed.

My main takeaway: Some graphic designer was tasked with icon-izing the actual Coronavirus particle and dropping it into a squircle.

Daily coronavirus architecture and design briefing: 30 March

Coronavirus design briefing

Daily coronavirus briefing: today Dezeen is launching a new daily briefing, rounding up news about the coronavirus pandemic that is relevant to the global architecture and design community. Read our first briefing below and keep up to date with our coronavirus coverage here.

American architect Michael McKinnell dies of coronavirus (via Boston Globe)

Michael McKinnell, best known as the co-designer of the brutalist Boston City Hall, has died at the age of 85 from coronavirus. More ›

American architects mobilise to make coronavirus face shields for hospital workers (via Dezeen)

Architects across America including BIG, KPF and Handel Architects have teamed up as part of an open-source project to manufacture face shields to protect hospital workers treating coronavirus patients. More ›

New Balance to start making face masks (via New Balance on Instagram)

Shoe brand New Balance is the latest company to announce that it will start manufacturing face masks. The company is following numerous fashion brands that are already making masksMore ›

Researchers using nano-diamonds and salt to design coronavirus-killing face mask (via Fortune)

Several groups of researchers are trying to design a face mask that not only protects against coronavirus but also kills it. This includes using a coating made from salt. More ›

Creality’s 3D-printed buckle makes wearing face masks more comfortable (via Dezeen)

Chinese 3D-printer manufacturer Creality is fabricating thousands of buckles that make face masks less painful to wear for medical workers treating coronavirus patients. More ›

How architecture schools in the UK are being impacted by coronavirus (via Building Design)

Architectural Association director Eva Franch i Gilabert, Central Saint Martins’ Alex Warnock-Smith and Sheffield School of Architecture director of learning and teaching Aidan Hoggard explain how the pandemic is impacting architecture schools in the UK. More ›

AIA task force to offer advice on converting buildings into healthcare facilities (via Dezeen)

The American Institute of Architects has launched a task force to consult on how to adapt buildings into healthcare facilities during the coronavirus pandemic. More ›

Fountain of Hygiene hand sanitiser design contest entry date extended (via Bompas & Parr)

The entry deadline to enter Bompas & Parr’s Fountain of Hygiene contest to rethink hand sanitisers and encourage hand-washing during the pandemic has been extended to 5 April. The competition’s jury, which will include Dezeen’s editor-in-chief Marcus Fairs and Tim Marlow, chief executive of the Design Museum, has also been announced. More ›

Jupe designs flat-pack intensive care unit to bolster hospitals impacted by coronavirus (via Dezeen)

Flat-pack startup Jupe has unveiled the “world’s first standalone intensive care unit” and several other pop-up care facilities to help hospitals under pressure due to coronavirus. More ›

US Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA turn New York’s Javits Center into 2,910-bed hospital (via ABC News)

New York City’s Javits Convention Center has been converted into a temporary field hospital by the Army Corps of Engineers. The field hospital will provide care for patients who are not suffering from Covid-19, freeing up capacity at New York’s hospitals to treat patients with the virus. More ›

Video reveals conversion of London’s Excel Centre into coronavirus hospital (via Construction Manager)

One of the workers converting London’s Excel Centre into the NHS Nightingale hospital has revealed a video of the progress. More ›

US government stimulus package includes $230 million for the cultural sector (via ArtForum)

The US government’s $2 trillion stimulus package includes $230 million for arts institutes. According to ArtForum, this is considerably less than the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) was seeking from Congress. More ›

Design Council reflects on coronavirus outbreak (via Design Council)

The UK’s Design Council has started a journal to share its reflections on the coronavirus outbreak. More ›

The post Daily coronavirus architecture and design briefing: 30 March appeared first on Dezeen.

Stylish and Sophisticated Small-Batch Bar Soaps

From the whiskey-infused to the architectural, a list of cleansers with added value

While body washes, shower gels and bath oils have become exceedingly common, the humble bar of soap is experiencing a renaissance. Using much less plastic and packaging than liquid counterparts, bar soaps are oftentimes infused with natural ingredients, divine aromas and plenty of nourishing ingredients to keep your skin feeling hydrated and smooth. Each brand listed below reimagines the unassuming, old-fashioned bar of soap, whether infusing it with whiskey or crafting it to look like terrazzo.

Two Deserts Soap

Crafted by Marfa, Texas-based Marfa Brands for Joshua Tree, California-based Wonder Valley, the Two Deserts Soap ($15) honors two high deserts—a distinction made for dry terrain at or above 2,000 feet elevation. Wonder Valley’s lush olive oil acts as the foundation for the soap composed of palo santo, juniper, cedar, eucalyptus, ginger and a natural smoke tinge. Free from synthetic dyes and foaming agents, this all-purpose and all-natural cleanser comes in packaging designed by LA-based artist John Zabawa.

Cosmic Yuzu “Terrazzo” Soap

We’ve long loved Maine-based Wary Meyers’ artsy striped soap bars that bring a dock-side sea breeze or Japanese cherry blossom right to the bathroom sink. Linda and John Meyers have been experimenting with soap scraps, and the result are terrazzo-like bars that evoke the work of designer Shiro Kuramata—who created his own special terrazzo by embedding colored glass in concrete. The visually stunning bars are available in two shades/scents: Cosmic Yuzu or Astral Shower ($14).

Hand Soap and Dish

To limit single-use plastic, the brand by Humankind delivers their rich hand soap ($15)—which comes in tea tree, grapefruit or lavender—with an accompanying bacteria- and mold-resistant dish. Your first order will arrive with both products, but those that follow include just the soap. by Humankind’s cold-processed and cured cubes contain a higher amount of glycerin (the moisturizing agent in soap) and boast a greater density, making them longer lasting.

Welcome Soap

Shaped like a freshwater bream, this Welcome Soap ($42) is moulded with a Kashigata, and replicates the popular fish-shaped Taiyaki cake. Available in three colors, each one boasts a different fragrance: red is pomegranate, white is lily blossom, and black is brown sugar. With lovely, minimal packaging, this soap-on-a-rope is made in Japan.

Big American Bourbon Soap

Duke Cannon Supply Co’s oversized Big American Bourbon Soap bar ($10) incorporates Buffalo Trace Distillery’s award-winning (and delicious) Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The liquor lends this American-made soap a sweet and oaky scent—much like that of a whiskey barrel. At 10 ounces, it lasts longer than any average bar.

Hero image courtesy of Wary Meyers

One day left to save 20 per cent on your Dezeen Awards 2020 entry

Early entry ends tomorrow

With our early entry discount ending tomorrow on 31 March at 23:59 UK time, here are some of the most frequently asked questions some of the Dezeen Awards 2020 entrants have been asking us this week!

Read on to find out the answers to these frequently asked questions.

When is the early entry deadline?

At 23:59 UK time on Tuesday 31 March.

How much can I save by entering before 31 March?

You can save 20 per cent on your Dezeen Awards entry if you enter before the early entry deadline. On top of this, companies with ten or less employees get half-price entry fees.

Is the early entry deadline being extended due to coronavirus?

If you’re struggling to get your entry completed before 31 March due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, you will still qualify for the lower price as long as you start your entry before the deadline.

You will then have up until 2 June to finish and submit your entry. Email us at awards@dezeen.com for more information.

Who can enter Dezeen Awards?

Dezeen Awards is open to all registered companies, as well as all individual professionals over the age of 18.

Can unbuilt or speculative projects be entered?

No, only completed projects can be entered! Read through our terms and conditions for more details or get in touch with us if you’re unsure.

When should my project have been finished to be eligible?

In order to be eligible for Dezeen Awards 2020, projects need to have been completed between 1 June 2018 and 2 June 2020.

Which category should I enter my project into?

There are 36 project categories that you can enter this year, including eight new categories.

You can enter the same project into multiple categories. If you aren’t sure which category is most appropriate, you can email us to ask for our advice.

What should I include in my studio category entry?

When entering a studio category, please include at least two projects that were completed during the eligibility period.

Is the entry process complicated?

No, our entry process is simple and intuitive. All you need to do is provide up to 11 images, tell us about your project and why it should win a Dezeen Award.

Once you have completed the online entry form and paid the fee, your entry will be automatically submitted.

Will I need to pay for anything else once I have submitted my entry?

No. There are no hidden costs involved with Dezeen Awards. We will not charge you for your trophy or anything else if you win.

There is also no obligation to attend the winners’ party, which may not be going ahead this year due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Can I enter the same project two years in a row?

Yes, as long as you enter it into a different category and as long as it meets the eligibility criteria. But you cannot enter the same project into the same category more than once.

Is Dezeen Awards international?

Yes! We encourage entries from countries all over the world. Last year, we received entries from 87 different countries.

Can I view my past submissions?

Yes, drop the Dezeen Awards team an email if you would like us to send you a copy of an entry that you submitted in a previous year.

What if I need help?

If you run into issues or have any questions email us at awards@dezeen.com or visit our how to enter page for more information.

Enter Dezeen Awards 2019 now to save 20 per cent ›

Good luck with your entry!

The post One day left to save 20 per cent on your Dezeen Awards 2020 entry appeared first on Dezeen.

Hyperganic uses AI to design 3D-printed rocket engine

Hyperganic uses AI to design a 3D-printed rocket engine

German software company Hyperganic has developed a 3D-printed rocket engine prototype, which was completely designed by artificial intelligence.

Unlike a traditional rocket engine, which consists of individually designed parts that are combined together, the AI-designed demonstrator is 3D printed as one continuous piece.

This includes both the combustion chamber where fuel and oxidiser is burned and the surface channels, through which the fuel is circulated to cool the chamber and keep it from overheating.

Hyperganic uses AI to design a 3D-printed rocket engine

“In a rocket, the cooling channels are generally welded onto the combustion chamber, which through wear and tear can cause errors and explosions,” explained Hyperganic’s design director Duy-Anh Pham.

“The components are engineered separately, so the design is not actually holistically optimised to be the best, most efficient it can be,” he continued. “Our engine in contrast is made up of only one piece, that has been designed to have the lowest weight and most effective cooling, and so the highest possible performance for a given rocket.”

Hyperganic uses AI to design a 3D-printed rocket engine

To create the engine, a rocket scientist first stipulated the core features of a rocket engine – the shape of the combustion chamber and the necessary cooling performance.

Rather than being translated into CAD files, this information is expressed as formulas and stored in an Excel sheet, in a format that can be read by Hyperganic’s algorithm.

This algorithm then uses the data to generate the geometry of the final piece from the bottom up.

“We compare the process to growing rather than designing,” Pham told Dezeen.

“You’re telling the algorithm what you need the object to do and then the algorithm is kind of growing the object with the performance you had in mind, with the specifications. So the process doesn’t create a blueprint, but the DNA for an object.”

From there, the information is fed to an industrial 3D printer, which realises it using an aerospace nickel alloy called Inconel 718.

“We are able to print in different material densities, a method which has not been used in rocket design so far,” said Pham.

“So the inner part is very solid, while towards the outside the structure becomes more porous to save on weight. Every extra pound counts.”

Hyperganic is currently in talks with different space companies about how this approach could be integrated into their design process.

If the process is implemented by an aerospace organisation, the design will be further refined using a digital evolution feedback loop.

“You test the first design or run simulations of how it would perform, input the data from the test into the algorithm and it uses that to improve the design of the next model,” Pham explained.

“It’s self-optimising, rendering one solution after another, always comparing. The new models are always generated from scratch. Every time you change your requirements, you get another rocket that is perfectly designed for for the needs that you’ve set out.”

Beyond rocket engines, the company’s AI-driven software platform also lends itself to an almost infinite range of other products.

“Our system is completely modular,” said Pham. “Every solution, in this case the rocket engine algorithm, is made up on a combination of algorithmic components.”

“Applying components from the rocket algorithm might not work when applying it to something else because it’s not a rocket. But a component like the cooling channels is very similar to our blood vessels so you could take these components from the rocket and design another solution for creating a synthetic organ for example.”

In the US, dedicated aerospace manufacturer Relativity Space has developed a 3D-printed rocket that is built using autonomous robots and has one percent as many individual parts as a traditional rocket.

While designer Sebastian Errazuriz has argued that the rise of AI-driven design would put architects out of business, Hyperganic argues that its method is still dependant on human-input with the AI simply doing the heavy lifting.

Last year, a patent application filed for AI-designed products was denied by the European Patent Office, stating that the inventor designated in the application has to be a human being.

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Ocean House is an Australian beach house with a minimal interior

Ocean House by Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors living room

Architect Rob Mills has built a weekend retreat beside Australia’s Great Ocean Road, with a simple interior that allows the view to take centre stage.

Ocean House combines the clean lines of a contemporary concrete house with the warmth and tactility of a humble beach house.

Ocean House by Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors living room

Located along one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives, it is a vacation home for Mills and his family.

“As a family we have holidayed on the Great Ocean Road for generations,” the architect told Dezeen. “My great grandfather was the first to holiday there; it is a place where my family and I have created many wonderful memories.”

Ocean House by Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors kitchen

Mills chose to give the house a subtle interior, to better suit the idyllic setting. Pale concrete surfaces are complemented by whitewashed wood and monochrome furnishings. But the effect isn’t minimalist, according to Mills, rather it is subtle and calm.

“I don’t see the design as being stark,” he said. “The interior is organic and tactile, and incorporates neutral fabrics.”

Ocean House by Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors living room

The same aesthetic continues outside, where stucco surfaces are intended to match the light colour of local tree bark.

“The design respects the environment it is nestled within,” Mills added. “If it was rich in colour, the connection to the outdoors would be lost.”

Ocean House by Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors exterior

Built on a steeply sloping site between ocean and woodland, the seven-bedroom house is divided over three storeys.

Both living spaces and bedrooms are divided over the ground and first floors, meaning the house could be easily divided into two properties at a later date. The uppermost level is an entrance floor, containing utility rooms and two parking garages.

Ocean House by Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors terrace

The form of the building is made up of two volumes. The first portion is a cuboid, where concrete floor plates extend out beyond walls of floor-to-ceiling glazing. The second is an opaque drum with concentric walls of curving concrete.

Wraparound terraces create various spaces for residents to take in the landscape.

Ocean House by Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors hallway

“The power of Ocean House is its unique positioning and the way in which the design responds to that,” explained Mills.

“It is a glazed pavilion which allows you to live in two quite different environments at the same time, a unique wilderness experience where the ocean below and the forest above become integral elements.”

Ocean House by Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors bedroom

“The two personalities of the residence work together as one,” he continued.

“The concrete section, which houses the bedrooms, is very purposeful, sheltering the home from the storms and deadening sound, in contrast to the connection with nature in the living section.”

Ocean House by Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors dining table

Mills came across the site by accident. His family were renting a beach house nearby and he happened to notice that the land had just become available.

The Mills family plan to stay in the home as often as they can. When they are not using it themselves, they plan to open it up to friends, but also to rent it out for holiday lets.

Ocean House by Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors lounge

The architect hopes it will remain in his family for many generations to come.

“I purposely designed the house to be available for holiday bookings, to ensure that as the house is passed down through the generations of my family and it can remain self-sufficient from a financial point of view,” he added.

Photography is by Caitlin Mills.

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Products designed to help procrastinators work better from home!

What actually happens when we procrastinate? I believe each and every one of us has big dreams along with to-do lists, phone reminders to even life goals. We all want to be more productive, be the best version of ourself and be the next Elon Musk, but procrastination ties us down. Jokes aside, procrastination has been linked to self-doubt, anxiety and even depression! Behavioral psychology research has revealed a phenomenon called “time inconsistency,” which refers to the tendency of the human brain to value immediate rewards more highly than future rewards (that explains us blazing through those infinite viral lists and quizzes!) With work from home looking like the immediate future, it is of utmost importance that we get our wandering mind under control and be our productive best. This list brings you products designed to enhance your work experience, giving you the perfect work-life balance in these trying times.

This portable armrest makes working on computers much more comfortable! The Mouzen by Gašper Kumprej cantilevers right off your table, giving your forearm a place to rest comfortably, instead of hovering in space. The platform retrofits easily onto the edge of any table and takes not more than 10 seconds to fasten. The platform comes with a freely moving armrest that sits on top of it. Using a patented ErgoFlow mechanism, the armrest moves and rotates in any direction with near-zero friction, giving you the ability to freely move your hand around as you switch from mouse to keyboard and back, typing, clicking, scrolling, etc. Built to take up to 50 lbs (21 kg) of weight, the mechanism has multiple shock absorbers and silencers built in to ensure the Mouzen works smoothly and silently.

Yes, we tend to procrastinate and fidget, but what if we have a more creative outlet to our energy rather than just mindlessly scrolling on our phone? Meet the Logifaces Puzzle, a little like the tangram meets the jigsaw meets the third dimension, the Logifaces puzzle by Logideez is a nice visual and mind exercise. The puzzle comprises a series of triangles of the same size, but different heights (at each vertex), and the only rule is, “Create a form by placing the prisms next to each other to build a continuous surface”.

The TimeFlip2 Interactive Time Tracking Device is a great way to get started with being more mindful. This time tracker features twelve sides, so you can have a wide variety of tasks assigned to it. And it comes with stickers so you can customize it to your specific needs. You’ll have an embedded green LED light for visual cues of your times status, and it has a Pomodoro timer to split work into sprints for maximum efficiency. Are you feeling like Monica Geller already?!

The Altwork desk claims to be the ultimate in productivity and ergonomics….and I agree. This desk encourages productivity by molding itself to any position that you feel your best in. There is a demographic that may have health problems which makes it hard for them to sit at a conventional desk and chair in an office. This causes them to lose out on many job opportunities that they might excel at simply because there wasn’t a solution for “How will they sit in the office?” but, thankfully, technology today has given us the ability to work from anywhere and this desk’s shape-shifting form makes it a part of the inclusive design world which caters to the needs of differently-abled. However you like to work, this chair will meet your expectations!

Just a simple tinted transparent acrylic cube, the Fume by Hakan Gürsu of Designnobis acts as a rather beautiful pen-stand for your alcohol markers (something designers swear by). Its design doesn’t just have them laid out in an interesting format, it even allows you to segregate them by hue into three zones! Although designed mainly for markers, this compact organizer is a great space-saving device to store all your pens, pencils, markers and more. Not to forget, the sense of satisfaction when you see all your stationery color-coordinated and lined up.

The beautiful Focus Journal by L’Atelier helps you concentrate on the tasks that matter. Inside the book, you will find uncluttered pages that offer useful prompts. The pages help you to prioritize urgent to-dos and find time for longer projects. Furthermore, you can time and track bigger tasks to see proof of your hard work. There are no rules you have to follow, but the journal provides a framework for structuring your thoughts. As an added bonus, with your task mapping happening on paper, you have no excuse to check your phone!

MOFT Z

The MOFT Z by MOFT Studio comes with the ability to prop your laptop at three angles, but that’s not all. The MOFT Z even transforms your sitting setup into a standing one, elevating your laptop up by as much as 10 inches (25 centimeters). The MOFT Z does this using an innovative Z-shaped folding system along with its signature PU and fiberglass material which allows the laptop stand to have a high strength to weight ratio while being thin enough to slide right into a Manila envelope. So in case sitting at one spot and working makes you angsty, MOFT Z can transform your desk into a standing desk. No more excuses for taking those 5 minute breaks that stretch into a 50 min snooze sessions!

Determined to never have random loose wires corrupt the visual balance of his spaces, Andrew Ferrier designed the Cable Cradle, a simple, innovative twist on the plug-point. Ferrier’s redesigned plug-point comes with an extended lip that gives you a channel to wrap your spare wires around. Almost like a thread and a spool, the wire can be looped as many times as needed to make your space look neat, and to prevent you from accidentally tripping over that pesky little wire that’s aimlessly strewn across the floor.

Working from home can get taxing and caffeine is our relief! Tap and Drop by designers Jeonghyun Ahn, Donghong Seo & Jo Gwanghee aims to revolutionize how we get our fix, making efficiency and simplicity the key features. The satisfyingly smooth curves used for the top of the device guide the coffee beans into the machine, eliminating the possibility of the beans from getting stuck, and making the filling process far smoother. Although, you may not have long to admire the elegant design as the coffee-making process can begin before you are even downstairs; an equally as beautiful mobile application allows for the selection of the desired drink from anywhere, and an array of parameters are available so you can ‘make’ the perfect drink! No more waiting for that perfect cuppa and wasting time!

If noise and phone distractions are your kryptonite, the Helmfon by Hochu Rayu will be your savior! A portmanteau of the words Helmet and Phone, the Helmfon isn’t just a noise-canceling device, it’s also an elaborate pair of headphones. Equipped with a system board, microphone, speakers, accumulator, magnifier and space on the inside for a smartphone, the Helmfon enables wearers to watch videos, organize Skype conferences and even make calls from within the helmet. Sure, it looks like you’re wearing a giant helmet, but if it helps you focus and finish up work effectively, then I am all for it!

Ukrainian product designer Julia Kononenko created the ‘Eco Pot’, an intriguing little product that organizes your desk and adds a pop of green to it! The multipurpose desk accessory is basically a flower pot with an integrated pen holder. So give your eyes a much-needed break by talking to your green friends and get back to work asap!

The School of Life presents the Phone Detox. A palm-friendly, phone-sized book that contains insights, ideas, and meditations that help you get over your heavy dependency on your phone, social media, and validation addictions. The book covers relevant topics like Addiction, Monasticism, Poetry, Nature, Dating, Utopia, and even Death. Its aim is to allow us to take a step back, breathe, and contemplate a little, rather than simply consuming content the internet keeps throwing at you.

The Bedchill by Constant Ducos will revolutionize how you both work and relax in bed as the fully-fledged design has all of the bases covered! The roll-over table rapidly transforms the bed into a plush office with vast desk space. If it’s even more usability you are after, then the Bedchill Plus is the one for you; it is kitted out with power outlets, USB ports, adjustable mood lighting, and even Bluetooth speakers to ensure that the innovative workspace can cater to your needs! Being in bed is no longer a reason to not be working!

The Peyote Dance

The first in a triptych of albums (collectively entitled The Perfect Vision), The Peyote Dance sees Patti Smith join experimental musical outfit Soundwalk Collective in a work of tribute to French poet Antonin Artaud. Soundwalk Collective’s founder Stéphan Crasneanscki traveled to the Norogachi municipality of Mexico’s Sierra Tarahumara, where Artaud himself visited in 1936, curious to know whether a peyote shaman from the Rarámuri people could free him of an opioid addiction. Soundwalk Collective recorded in both the village and cave where Artaud lived, capturing sounds earthly and human, delicate and divine. Smith then joined them in studio, back in New York to weave together each track.

Niko J. Kallianiotis captures Pennsylvania and the faded American dream

When photographer Niko J. Kallianiotis started travelling across the state of Pennsylvania it was a way to familiarise and assimilate himself with the USA, even though he’d already been living in the country for more than 20 years. Kallianoitis was born in Greece and spent his formative years in Athens, but has lived in the USA for all of his adult life. It was initially through his father that he was first introduced to American life. 

“My father moved to this country, specifically New York City, in the late 70s for his postgraduate studies. His professional career led him to the Keystone State, Pennsylvania, which was only my second experience in the country after New York,” explains Kallianoitis. “Recently I’ve been pondering and it’s left me feeling conflicted about my initial and current perception of the American dream. Whose dream have I been concentrating on, America’s faded dream or my own?

This exploration has created America in a Trance, an ongoing series capturing the northern Pennsylvania landscape where the American dream is so often typified. According to Kallianiotis, Pennsylvania was once a prosperous and vibrant region where small town values and sustainable small businesses thrived under American industry and provided a place where European immigrants crossed the Atlantic for a better future. 

All images from America in a Trance by Niko J. Kallianiotis

Kallianiotis’ initial perception of the USA was based on what he was exposed to while living in Athens, which was a glamorous picture of Hollywood life that danced between fiction and reality. When he actually arrived, the photographer at first felt alienated and it was a steep learning curve. “The transition from Athens to New York City to Pennsylvania proved to be an invaluable experience, an education about America and its traditions, values, but also its concerns,” notes Kallianiotis. 

The photographer’s creative process was fairly straightforward and the series is built up from a collection of day trips and longer-term stints. “The only specific plan in place was in what direction in Pennsylvania I would drive: north, south, east or west,” explains the photographer. “In the three full years I’ve worked on America in a Trance, rarely have I researched a place…. It was important for me to learn firsthand, leaving preconceived ideas behind.”   

The images capture daily, humdrum life in the state, with lush green trees being offset by the grey and red industrial buildings that share the landscape. While there are a few characters appearing in shot, like a topless man sunbathing on his porch and a woman in an all-green outfit waiting at a bus stop, it was a semi-conscious decision to keep the images relatively crowd free. “Most of the locations were desolate and therefore naturally represented the loneliness and alienation,” says Kallianiotis. When people do appear, it’s mostly from afar which offers a change of pace in the series and also heightens that sense of distance. 

Though there’s a lack of people in the images, Kallianioitis was keen to engage with the residents of these places and was soon privy to the history of these small towns and the people who created them. “There is an immense sense of pride people express when they speak about the prosperous days, of what those places used to be,” says the photographer. “This pride still holds strong in their local values, regardless of their current economic and social issues.”   

In America in a Trance, Kallianiotis wants the viewer to take a journey into the land, and to start a conversation. “The images in this project are first and foremost a personal visual anthology, but unavoidably they have become social and political references, especially when Pennsylvania and other former industrial regions often appear in the political forefront,” he says.

“There are many perceptions, and misconceptions, about these places and they are mostly shaped from afar. I hope these images inspire the viewer to visit these areas to try and understand the issues and values, even if those beliefs differ from theirs.”




nikokallianiotis.com; damianieditore.com

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How I Work: Ibrahim Mahama

The Ghanaian artist gives new life to discarded materials in his often monumental projects which evoke centuries of history. He takes us through the process behind his work, and the value of bringing in ordinary people to create extraordinary installations

The post How I Work: Ibrahim Mahama appeared first on Creative Review.