by: Jacqueline Pezzillo Assoc. AIA LEED AP
Event: Toward ANARCHITECTURE: A Conversation between Architects and Artists
Location: Center for Architecture, 11.19.09
Speakers: Joseph Grima — Director, Storefront for Art & Architecture; Alanna Heiss — Founder, Art Radio WPS1.org; Katrin Sigurdardottir — Artist; Didier Faustino — Architect; Chris Perry — Partner, Servo; James Angus — Artist
Moderator: Farnaz Mansuri, Assoc. AIA — Principal, De-Spec
Organizer: AIANY New Practices Committee
Storefront for Art and Architecture.
Courtesy Storefront for Art and Architecture
The synthesis of creative disciplines often results in an experience that defies tradition and probes curiosity. A growing collective of artists and architects are re-examining their mediums to invent a new hybrid discipline.
The Storefront for Art & Architecture continues to embody the spirit of cross-disciplinary intervention under the leadership of Joseph Grima, who views architecture as “a channel for political agency, a metaphor for society, and a platform for intervention.” This open ended view of architecture is literally present in Storefront’s façade — designed by Vito Acconci and Steven Holl in 1993 — which opens the length of the gallery to the street, blurring the boundary between indoor and outdoor space. Alanna Heiss, director of P.S.1 from 1976-2008, provided insight into the days of Gordon Matta-Clark, who parlayed his architectural background into art. Contemporary artist, Katrin Sigurdardottir continues to be inspired by Matta-Clark in her work, which resides between perceived and embodied space, encouraging a new participatory relationship between viewers and art.
Matta-Clark’s innovative perception of traditional disciplines has engendered a community of anarchitects who continue to mold and translate the creative box within which they design. The presence of public art in architecture is recognized as a vital complement to many contemporary buildings. Similarly, many artists are exploring 3-dimensional multi-media works that focus on creating objects and space rather than the interpretation of them.
Jacqueline Pezzillo, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP, is the communications manager at Davis Brody Bond Aedas and a regular contributor to e-Oculus.