| >>urban evolution | |||||
| media/concept art performance in public space | |||||
| Concept | Urban
Evolution addresses a number of questions in regard to the meaning
of the center and its development, the identity of place and the
lack thereof, and how to create the identity of place as a quality
of space. |
||||
The
urban space is the “theater stage” or “game board”
for a play or game. This “game“ is Urban Evolution.
The game players are developers, planners, designers, and citizens.
The game pieces are temporary buildings as a “fluidum”,
which are juxtaposed by permanent “urban artifacts”.
These permanent elements create a spatial definition for the “game
board” by acting as “anchors”. What is Urban Evolution?
It is a framework, a set of rules, a method. It is divided into
three subelements. |
|||||
On
the game board, a succesion of temporary buildings takes place.
This succession is related to the necessity for functions and public
space of increasing dimensions related to the increase of population
according to the phasing. The methodic element of “Intermediate
Allocation” responds to this issue. |
|||||
The
succession of temporary buildings is in accord with the phasing
of the Masterplan. Also, it uses the accelleration of developmental
speed throughout the phases to create “Condensation
of Time”, a sped-up version of the usual evolution
of cities in history which facilitates Urban Evolution. |
|||||
Furthermore,
the succession of temporary buildings does not proceed without leaving
traces. The leaving of traces is an intentional and important part
of Urban Evolution since the traces and their superimposition create
“Simulated Archaeology”. |
|||||
Urban
Evolution and its three methodic steps are intended to create quality
of space through the generation of a local history which is staged,
yet artificial, but not simulated. It is the actual document of
actual events taking place in the chosen location. |
|||||
| Game | In
order to illustrate the method of Urban Evolution, a game is staged.
The game field is the Theaterplatz in Weimar. The game pieces are
2 x 1 x 1 m boxes made of wood frame covered with cardboard. The
players can lift and move the boxes from within via attached strings.
Nine players are required for the nine boxes. Two persons holding
large yellow balloons symbolize the permanent elements, creating
the game board. |
||||
The
players are arranged in three different positions with three steps
of movement. Before each movement, each player creates a marking
on the Theaterplatz surface with chalk. For each position there
is a different color of chalk: white, blue, and yellow. |
|||||
In
the first and starting position, the players are completely dispersed
along a grid of 3 x 3 m. In the first movement, they move together
in order to form three strips of three adjoined boxes each. In the
second movement, these strips of three move together in order to
form one block of nine boxes. In the third and final movement, the
players move away from this position to the perimeter of the Theaterplatz,
revealing the markings in chalk created during the entire process. |
|||||
The
chalk markings are traces. In accordance to the positions of the
boxes, they are juxtaposed and also superimposed upon each other,
indicating the history of the process that has taken place. They
are colorful and individual and as such a aesthetic product of the
game of Urban Evolution. |
|||||
The
game process is filmed from two angles with one camera at the surface
level of the Theaterplatz and another at the top floor of an adjacent
building. The resulting video documents the process of the game
in time, the movement of the boxes and players, and the leaving
behind and visibility of traces. |
|||||
During and after the whole process, friendly curiosity of pedestrians
was awakened, who inquired on the nature of the project. The chalk
traces continued to astonish adults and children alike. |
|||||
| Credits | Javier
Barona R. - Mark X. Kammerbauer - K. Arne Löper, Institute
for European Urban Studies, Bauhaus University Weimar Germany WS
2006-2007 |
||||
| >>presented by the nexialist organization | mark kammerbauer et. al. | 2000-2009 | |||||
 |
|
|
|
|
|