TEXT MATT ZESS
PHOTOS MICHL SOMMER, VIKTOR LEURS AND CECILIA HENDRIKX
Artcity’s “live” architectural competition, also known as Peepshow, has for the past seven years been a platform for local and international architects and students to flex their conceptual muscle. This past summer, the competition asked entrants to submit a design for a Centre of Metaphysical Techniques on a site in downtown Calgary while considering Artcity’s 2007 theme of “rupture.” A jury comprising Lebbeus Woods, Alberto Prez- Gmez, Andrew Zago, Aarn Gutirrez, Marc Boutin, David Down, Richard Lindseth and Lance Carlson selected the winning submission from an Amsterdam-based team of three who provided the city of Calgary with a live architectural workshop during the festival.
In September, Michl Sommer, Viktor Leurs and Cecilia Hendrikx of the Dutch design studios Featuring and SuopuLab, flew to Calgary to “rupture” the everyday perception of our urban environment. Setting out to test their working methods in a new context, the team members actualized their winning entry for this international competition by conducting their live architectural workshop in downtown Calgary, examining and re-evaluating its distinct urban development.
Reflection was chosen to conceptually articulate their explorations, and as such, approximately 30 large mirrors were used by the participants as human-scale modules to temporarily manipulate and change the urban context at different locations. The first day of the workshop was dedicated to experiments in “play” as smaller units, where participants explored a variety of possibilities using the modules in different formations to interact with passersby, moving traffic and the existing architecture.
During the second day, the results of these experiments were put into practice by constructing bigger constellations. This time, all modules were incorporated together to alter specific locations through one big collage-like reflection: the faade of a building was transformed by the extension of the park, and the bright blue sky above was projected onto the surface of the public square. The modules were configured as graphic instruments capable of connecting parks, squares and people through continuously changing reflections. This live 1:1 collage altered Calgary’s perceived everyday urban context into an ephemeral display of interconnectivity and juxtaposition. CA
For more information on the winning team members, please visit www.featuringamsterdam.nl, www.suopulab.nl, and www.ilovelivearchitecture.com. Artcity’s next competition call will begin in February 2008 for the September event. Please visit www.art-city.cafor more information.
Matt Zess, A Graduate Of Carleton University, Is Currently Working In Calgary As An Intern Architect For Richard Lindseth Architecture Inc. He Is Participating In The Organization Of The Upcoming Banff Session In April As Well As Serving As The Architecture Chair For Artcity In 2008.
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Photos Armed with several large mirrors, the winning team dispersed throughout the downtown core, reflecting back onto the public aspects of the urban environment.