Hasta La Ideas

Narrow slits provide entrances to this circular pavilion by Belgian artist Wesley Meuris outside the Flemish town of Borgloon.

Called Memento, the white structure has a smooth exterior and a tiled interior.

The square tiles are in relief, creating different textures and shadows as the sun moves across the sky.

The two slender gaps cast sundial-like shadows around the circle and allow the evening sun to stream in.

Situated on a slope, the pavilion looks out over the central graveyard in the medieval town of Borgloon.

The project is one in a series of permanent structures for public spaces in the Haspengouw region, instigated by the Z33 gallery. Other completed projects include a doughnut-shaped pavilion and a see-through church.

Photography is by Kristof Vrancken.

Here’s some more information from Z33:

Memento is a sculpture at the Central Burial of Borgloon. The artwork of Wesley Meuris is an anchor point in the sloping landscape and invites visitors to step in.

The architectural structure of the work provides a special experience of looking and dwelling. The steel built space can be interpreted in many ways by the visitor and challenges the imagination.

Whoever is in the room experiences the intimacy. This reflects the memory of its surroundings.

Initiated by De Nieuwe Opdrachtgevers.

Official opening: May 4th, 2012

On display: permanent from May 5th, 2012

Location: Central Burial of Borgloon, Lambertusstraat, Borgloon

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Wesley Meuris appeared first on Dezeen.

This doughnut-shaped pavilion by Scottish artist Aeneas Wilder offers visitors a view across the landscape of Limburg, Belgium, from behind a ring of wooden slats (+ slideshow).

Named Untitled #158, the wooden structure is positioned on a hillside and is lifted up on legs as the ground slopes away beneath it.

An open doorway leads into the pavilion, inviting anyone to step inside.

The project is one in a series of permanent structures instigated by the Z33 gallery for public spaces in the Haspengouw region. Other completed projects include a see-through church.

Photography is by Kristof Vrancken.

Here’s a project description from Wilder’s website:

Pit, Art in the public space of Borgloon

Untitled # 158.

This permanent public art installation was the culmination of several years project development between Z33 and Aeneas Wilder.

The resulting installation, Untitled # 158, is an architectural construction consisting of a 360° wooden chamber projecting horizontally from the side of a small valley in the province of Limburg.

The structure sits close to the hamlet of Kerniel in the proximity of the Klooster van Colen and references the religious heritage of the surrounding area, the historical development of town settlements from the middle ages as well as the natural cycle of this rich agricultural landscape.

Materials: Douglas Fir, stainless steel, tropical hardwood, concrete.

Size: 1700cm x 1700cm x 520cm.

Date: May 4th 2012

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by Aeneas Wilder appeared first on Dezeen.

Dezeen Wire: British architect David Adjaye and American artist Doug Aitken have revealed designs for a bitumen-coated pavilion that will be constructed at the Tate Liverpool gallery this autumn.

The circular pavilion will be the venue for arts project The Source, where Aitken will interview a host of creative figures for British television channel Sky Arts.

The pavilion opens to the public from 15 September to 13 January.

Here’s some more information from Sky Arts:

Doug Aitken and David Adjaye Collaborate to Design a Pavilion for Tate Liverpool

American artist Doug Aitken and British architect David Adjaye have collaborated for the first time to design a pavilion that will be installed outside Tate Liverpool on the city’s historic Albert Dock as part of the Sky Arts Ignition Series, which will go on show from 15 September 2012 – 13 January 2013. Sky Arts Ignition: Doug Aitken – The Source will be part of the seventh Liverpool Biennial.

Sky Arts Ignition: Doug Aitken – The Source is the artist’s first public realm installation in the UK and features filmed conversations with some of the world’s leading creative figures. Participants of all ages and backgrounds, working across different art forms, respond to two questions: where does the creative idea start and how is it realised? Those interviewed include David Adjaye, Devendra Banhart, Thomas Demand, Liz Diller, William Eggleston, Jacques Herzog, Mike Kelley, Lucky Dragons, James Murphy, Philippe Parreno, Richard Phillips, Jack Pierson, Stephen Shore, Paolo Soleri, Tilda Swinton, Ryan Trecartin and Jack White.

The Pavilion will be located in Mermaid Court, adjacent to the largest single grouping of Grade 1 listed buildings anywhere in England. At 14.2 metres in diameter, with a sloping roof that ranges from 2.8m to 4.8m in height, the pavilion will provide an immersive experience during the day, with a night-time presence created through the projection of Aitken’s work on the outer walls of the circular structure. Built from a wooden frame and a combination of corrugated acrylic and bitumen panels, the pavilion will be a temporary structure that deliberately separates Aitken’s work from the traditional gallery space in order to create a new cultural destination.

The Sky Arts Ignition Series was launched in 2011 to support the creation of major new works of art as well as nurture emerging talent. Sky Arts Ignition: Doug Aitken – The Source is the first project in the series, which will see Sky Arts collaborate with six leading arts organisations from across the UK and Ireland in the creation of brand new works. For each of the chosen projects, Sky Arts will provide a cash investment of up to £200,000 and work with the arts partners to bring their projects to a wider audience, using Sky’s platform.

Doug Aitken said: “This project is about the roots of creativity. Many of the people in this project are working in very diverse mediums and it’s that common thread that I’m interested in. The project is very much about the empowerment of the viewer. I want the installation at Tate Liverpool to be a destination: a place that one can go to and walk into this field of ideas. It will be a celebration of the power of the individual and the forging of a borderless new creative territory – I’m incredibly excited.”

James Hunt, Director of Sky Arts, commented, “At Sky Arts, it’s clear to us just how fascinated people are by the creative process that goes into making works of art. Doug’s plan for the first Sky Arts Ignition project really captures that; opening up the creative process and making it more relatable and accessible. That’s another thing that we try to do at Sky Arts, and Doug’s project fits with that ethos perfectly.”

Sky Arts Ignition: Doug Aitken – The Source 15 September – 13 January 2013
Free admission
Albert Dock, Liverpool, L3 4BB

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and Doug Aitken appeared first on Dezeen.

Here are some photographs of the recently completed Coca-Cola Beatbox, a pavilion in the London 2012 Olympic park that can be played like a musical instrument (+ slideshow).

Designed by London architects Asif Khan and Pernilla Ohrstedt, the Coca-Cola Beatbox invites visitors to make a musical collage of sporting sounds by touching parts of its structure.

The sound samples, including a human heartbeat and trainers squeaking on a court, are taken from the Olympic song ‘Anywhere in the World’ recorded by British producer Mark Ronson.

The sounds are embedded in 200 interlocking ETFE plastic pillows which are sensitive to movement and touch.

The pavilion opens to the public on 27 July.

We first published images of the project proposal back in March.

See all our stories about the London 2012 Olympics »

Above: photograph is by Getty Images

Photography is by Hufton + Crow, except where indicated.

Here’s some more information from the event organisers:

Coca-Cola reveals spectacular Olympic Park pavilion that will inspire visitors to Move to the Beat of London 2012

Coca-Cola has today unveiled the Coca-Cola Beatbox, its iconic pavilion for the Olympic Park, at a private view event ahead of the official opening of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games next Friday 27th July.

The Coca-Cola Beatbox, designed by Asif Khan and Pernilla Ohrstedt, is an experimental fusion of architecture, sport, music and technology that creates a stunning multi-sensory experience. The visionary pavilion has been inspired by Coca-Cola’s global campaign for London 2012 – Move to the BeatTM – that aims to connect young people to the Games by bringing together their passions for music and sport.

Its giant crystalline structure is made up of over 200 interlocked translucent air cushions, each the size of a billboard. Visitors will be able to ‘play’ designated cushions as they ascend the exterior of the pavilion, remixing ‘Anywhere in the World’, the uplifting track featuring sounds of five different Olympic sports created for Coca-Cola by GRAMMY award winning producer Mark Ronson and 2011 Mercury Music Prize nominee Katy B.

Integrated within the 200 cushions is groundbreaking audio, lighting and responsive sensor technology, which has been used by the architects to upload the rhythmical sport sounds into the structure of the Coca-Cola Beatbox. Recordings, which include athletes’ heartbeats, shoes squeaking, and arrows hitting a target will be triggered and remixed by the gestures and movements of an estimated 200,000 visitors during Games time as they make the 200m journey to the pavilion’s rooftop.

The pavilion forms part of Coca-Cola’s Future Flames campaign for London 2012, which aims to recognise and reward the best of the nation’s youth and shine a spotlight on emerging talent to inspire other young people to pursue their passions. Coca-Cola appointed London-based designers Asif Khan and Pernilla Ohrstedt following a formal commissioning process administered by the Architecture Foundation. The company wanted to identify the best single emerging talent in British architecture and reward them with a showcase at London 2012, handing over creative control of its pavilion.

Coca-Cola has spent two years working with other partners including the Royal College of Art and interactive theatre company London Quest to bring together the best in emerging talent across design, performance and technology who will all play a role in bringing the pavilion to life during the Games. The result is a pavilion that is created by, embodies and celebrates the passions of thousands of Coca-Cola Future Flames who make a positive contribution to their local communities every day.

Maxine Chapman, Director of Showcasing, London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Project Team, the Coca-Cola Company, said:

“Coca-Cola’s sponsorship of London 2012 is rooted in celebrating and recognising young people and we’re delighted to give so many young talents the chance to showcase their skills and passions on the world’s stage. Our team of emerging architects, artists, sound and light technicians – led by Asif Khan and Pernilla Ohrstedt – have all played a crucial role in creating a pavilion that is hip, fresh and energetic. The Coca-Cola Beatbox is unlike anything else on the Olympic Park. Over 300 young performers from London will help to bring it to life during Games time, and it will stand as a testament to the millions of young people who use their passions in areas like sport and physical activity, music and dance to spread happiness in communities all over the UK.”

Asif Khan and Pernilla Ohrstedt, said:

“The Coca-Cola Beatbox is our largest commission so far and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase our distinctive brand of architectural design at London 2012. We have created a structure that fuses architecture, music, sport and technology in a completely unique way. The beat will draw people in and allow them to personally experience sports through sound away from the main Games venues. Coca-Cola has really allowed us to push the boundaries and we’re looking forward to unveiling the pavilion to the world when London 2012 opens its doors next week.”

Visitors will enjoy spectacular views of the Olympic Park from the top of the Coca-Cola Beatbox. The ramp then plunges down into the heart of the pavilion which will feature an interactive light installation.

Within the Coca-Cola Beatbox pavilion visitors will discover Jason Bruges Studio’s Aerial Dynamics installation. A living, breathing light show that has been designed to emulate the energy released when a bottle of Coca-Cola is served and shared. 180 bespoke mechatronic ‘bubbles’ glow rhythmically in time with Mark Ronson’s track. Controlled with individual code, each bubble has eight polypropylene blades that fold in on themselves. Special sensors embedded in the three ‘cheers in celebration’ kiosks at the base of the Beatbox detect when Coca-Cola bottles are clinked together, triggering the blades and bubbles to glow with red and white LED lighting. These light patterns become increasingly intricate as the number of participants grow.

Jason Bruges, Creative Director, Jason Bruges Studio, based in Hackney, said:

“Our installation captures the celebratory aura that surrounds the Games and is itself a living, visual, dynamic performance. We worked closely with students Coca-Cola chose from the Royal College of Art who helped create the final design through a series of design workshops. A unique mix of architects, lighting designers, industrial designers, programmers and engineers have all collaborated to bring this extraordinary installation to life.”

The Coca-Cola Beatbox was brought to life at the private view event by young performers from across London boroughs. These talented young people from part of a group of 300 who have been selected to perform within the Olympic Park and London’s Hyde Park following six month audition process with the support of the interactive theatre company London Quest. Whether it’s re-enacting a medal winning performance or encourage visitors to recycle they will help to bring the magic of London 2012 to life in the Captial.

Tim Morgan, Director of London Quest, said:

“We at London Quest have thoroughly enjoyed the last year working in partnership with Coca-Cola. In awarding us a theatrical consultancy contract for their Olympic Games showcasing activity, Coca-Cola has given us a massive opportunity to promote our company to the world and it’s great to know that we have helped to give some very talented young performers a once in a lifetime opportunity to shine.”

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and Pernilla Ohrstedt appeared first on Dezeen.

Illuminated installations inspired by the structures of microorganisms were created for the BUGA festival in Germany by Stoke Newington design studio Loop.pH.

Visitors could walk underneath the large, intricate structures that were made by weaving strong composite glass fibres.

Ground-level LED lights make the fibres appear to glow.

The festival took place in Koblenz, Germany, in May this year under the curatorial theme of Art Forms in Nature.

We have previously featured an illuminated canopy installed in the entrance to London’s Kensington Palace by Loop.pH as part of our Designed in Hackney showcase of creative talent in our local area.

See all our Designed in Hackney stories here »

LICHTSTROEME 2012

LICHTSTROEME returned to Koblenz, Germany after a successful first edition in 2011 during the Federal Horticultural Show (“BUGA”).

The curatorial theme was “Art Forms in Nature” and the curators Bettina Pelz and Tom Groll invited artists who work at the interface between nature and arts in their works. 10 large-scale installations were built from the Electoral Palace along the Rhine banks to the Kaiser Wilhelm I Statue to the Fortress Ehrenbreitstein. All of the sculptures, projections and interventions made use of artificial light as one of their materials, so that they could be seen after dusk.

Design studio Loop.pH used their Archilace technique on a new site-specific installation for LICHTSTROEME 2012 in Koblenz, Germany inspired by the work of Ernst Haeckel, one of the first transdisciplinary thinkers who bridged the gap between art and the sciences.

Micro structures observed in the natural world were blown up to architectural proportions to create an ephemeral and luminous outdoor installation that visitors could walk through and experience on a human scale. The built structures are based on Radiolaria – the intricate skeletons of mineral deposits left behind by ocean microorganisms. Radiolaria was first illustrated and depicted by Haeckel in the work ‘Kunstformen der Natur’ between 1899 and 1904.

Archilace

Archilace is lace-making on an architectural scale with strong composite fibres and is a method to craft space and reflect on the materiality and fabrication processes within the architectural practice. Archilace combines a parametric design process with a hands-on crafting technique. Weaving composite textile structures allows for virtually any imaginable surface to be created from a small number of parts. Recently discovered structures that were previously unbuildable can be fabricated by hand using a textile, curvilinear approach – breaking the rectilinear geometry of our built environment with a non-Euclidean geometry made from curved structural elements tangentially joined.

Loop.pH is a London based art and design studio intervening at an urban scale to re-imagine life in the city.

The studio was founded in 2003 by Mathias Gmachl and Rachel Wingfield, to form a new creative practice that reaches beyond specialist boundaries, mediating between digital & biological media and facilitating participatory environments and urban crafts.

Loop.pH are internationally recognized for the design and fabrication of ephemeral textile architecture and living environments. They create urban utopias informed by ecologically based parametric design and principles of community engagement.

The studio operates on the convergence between biology, ecology, architecture and design. Through intervention based work they create living environments, synthesising living materials and digital tools, and proposing an emerging new role for designers and artists working at an urban scale.

The studio explores the role of art and design in public space and society, and consults on creative strategies and future scoping for industry, start-ups and the public sector, with hospitals, schools and regeneration agencies all commissioning their work.

As a studio actively involved with education they lecture and deliver workshops internationally in a multidisciplinary context.

Their artwork can be found in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), NY, the V&A Museum, London and Lord Norman Fosters Private Art Collection, Geneva.