Critical Practices Inc. in collaboration with First Street Green, is producing a series of public roundtable discussions, architectural installations, and activities in July and August 2014
Activating Public Geometry: Points, Lines, Planes and Solids
Using the geometry simples Points, Lines, Planes and Solids, Eduardo Benamor, Peter Dorsey, Robert Gero, and Caterina Tiazzoldi (BDGT) have developed a project that suggests the possibility of a social geometry. BDGT begin by employing geometric simples, Euclidean geometry with its predictable perimeters, a language that describes the inner workings of nature and the intrinsic order of the universe. Both by context (a public park) and a material intervention.
BDGT situate their “simples” between spatial geometry and experience, into the social body. By employing tactics that generate different sets of patterns, interpretive surfaces and differentiated flows, a social geometry is activated since social geometry grounds its support in localized actual conditions and experience.
Activating Public Geometry; Points, Lines, Planes and Solids
Robert Gero, Caterina Tiazzoldi, Peter Dorsey and Eduardo Benamor Duarte
(Points) Robert Gero
The points for the installation activating a social geometry: points, lines, planes and solids are forms that began with contextual physical geometries derived from the site, for example, the shape of the park site, two intersecting elongated rectangles, and other localized features. These became the core polygons that were, morphed and modified in multiple iterations using 3D modeling software. For this installation a select number of the forms or polyhedra were physically produced using rods of varying diameters and lengths. The forms were then radically multiplied to create, polyhedral sets within sets and combined into a network of differentiated relations.
(Lines) Caterina Tiazzoldi
Instant Installation – Originally develop with the research Lab NSU at the GSAPP Columbia University Graduate School of architecture and preservation, Instant Installation, is an environment in which the geometry of lines and layering of materiality are conceived to encourage and to solicit visitors’ curiosity and reaction. Instant Installation is an adaptive extensible rubber installation. It is a spatial generator; a playful environment inviting visitors to play with the vibrancy of rubber layering and to move in an exhilarating non-orientable space continuously revealing and hiding the presence of other people.
(Planes) Peter Dorsey
The plane structure is edited from the matrix of site conditions and view vectors from Houston through to 1st street, and attempts to create a formal continuity with the existing neighborhood. The result is an overhead spatial construction framing, and possibly even stimulating, events, discussions, and gatherings in the park.
(Solids) Eduardo Benamor Duarte
A tactile play space made by the stacking of 16-face porcelain building blocks revisiting the slip casting manufacturing processes and the passion for descriptive geometry interpolations. Apparently random and dependent of gravity forces the stacking of each block challenges the public to participate in determining how the structure may evolve. The blocks’ preciousness, and lightness challenges the public to determine a single or multiple growing configurations depending on patience, skill or empathy.
Activating Public Geometry 