What is the new black?

What do you mean what is the new black? Black is black. 

What do you think about a black and white aesthetic? 

Krzysztof Wodiczko at Tel Aviv University

On January 15 the artist Krzysztof Wodiczko gave a lecture at Tel Aviv University about his work. And I, being the architecture geek that I am, obviously attended [and took notes shamelessly, I admit with a sly smile]  

So, first, a quick intro:

Krzysztof Wodiczko (born 1943 is Warsaw, Poland) is a video mapping artist with a long history of creation behind him. His works are large-scale and site-specific and deal with social issues such as memory, trauma, immigration, alienation, and human rights. His projections usually feature real people and share their stories. He now teaches at the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University. 

One project that I especially liked was a public projection on the façade of the Kunstmuseum in Basel, Switzerland (2006).

The project reveals the illegal immigrants in Switzerland. As they share their sometimes horrible experiences, their identities remain secret and all we can see is a few pairs of legs. This position – sitting on top of buildings with their legs hanging down, Wodiczko says, is stereotypically common for the immigrants. I think this design is strong and moving. It gives people to opportunity to open up and tell the truth as it is, without risking exposing their identity and involving themselves in any consequences.

I also find the choice of the location of the work quite genius. The screening on top of the Kunstmuseum –Switzerland's most prominent art museum, a palace of culture even - presents the sometimes inhumane experiences with an interesting sense of irony.  

Are you familiar with Wodiczko's work? What do you think about this project?

Sources:

http://www.interrogative.org

http://www.kunstmuseumbasel.ch/

Windy Tel Aviv

A sketch of Dizingof Square in Tel Aviv, on a windy winter day.

What is a city? (To My Very Biased, Tel-Aviv-Adoring Eye)

The location that we decide to set our lives at influences a lot more that solely our postal code. In spite of our biggest egoistic fantasies, we (as individuals) do not change the city, but it influences us.

In "What is a City", LEWIS MUMFORD writes that "A city is a theater of social action".

The set of the play, though ever evolving, is permanent and determined for us by architects and urban planners. The city's arrangement creates its atmosphere, and its architectural landmarks build symbols and traditions. Once we put those things together, we get a culture, a stereotype even, of our city.

Now, we come into the picture – the dwellers – the actors. Why are we actors, you wonder? Because we naturally try to fit into out surrounding; we try to live up to the "image" of the city; eventually, we become a personification of it. 

How do you describe a city? What is your favorite city or town? What do you love about it? 

A new beginning

Greetings,

I am Juliette Gold. (Well, actually, Juliette Gold is my online alter ego. My real last name – though magnified by the allure of its secrecy - is far less regal). I am an architecture enthusiast (some say fanatic, but only behind my back) and - hopefully - a future student. My take on architecture it this: architecture is magic. A designed space influences and guides the people in it. It determined their immediate reaction, their feelings and self-esteem in that space. It manipulates their behavior and might influence their perspectives. This blog is where I explore that approach.

I would love to hear your thoughts!  

         

        

Launching Juliette Gold

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3693030/juliette-gold?claim=2mdn4xsgzp8">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

One of my new year's resolutions was to open a blog about architecture and design. And the big moment is finally here! 

Photo by Yvette Inufio