Author: krystinv

Art professor Michael Salter explores Suburbia in exhibition in Colorado, February 10–April 13, 2012

Posted on by krystinv

In a place and time where suburbs are the norm, where generic is acceptable and conformity is all too often celebrated, GOCA presents an alternative view of ‘burbs. This exhibition examines urban sprawl, the suburban landscape, urban fauna and domestic objects through found materials, sculpture and video. The work in this show uses humor and nostalgia to create a sense of place and familiarity in a cookie-cutter world.

SUBURBIA features work by Phil Bender, Christopher Coleman & Michael Salter,  and Michael Whiting.
http://www.uccs.edu/goca/ART/SUBURBIA.html

Colorado Springs Independent reporter, Rhonda Van Pelt, reviews Suburbia exhibition.

As UO art professor Michael Salter puts it, “I think our identity as Americans is shaken, and suburbia is part of that identity. The idea of sidewalks and backyard swing sets and neighborhood picnics is still pretty awesome, but it takes two careers, a heck of a lot of commuting, and more stress than it was supposed to. I look at suburbia with a melancholy sentiment.” Read her review here.

Posted in Art

Architecture Grad Day Nov 4, 2011

Posted on by krystinv

Get an in-depth introduction about graduate studies in architecture by coming to Grad Day at the UO Architecture Department’s Portland branch.

In Portland, University of Oregon connects Architecture students to professionals who are pioneering Eco-Districts, green buildings and design process innovation. Students can be immersed in sustainable communities where urban agriculture, composting, public transit and bicycling are the norm. They can work with national leaders in shaping how cutting edge-standards like the Living Building Challenge and Passive House can be applied to real-world situations. Instruction is at an advanced level as students arrive with basic architectural training completed at our main Eugene campus or other colleges or universities.

For those who are eager to change the world, our program gives the the concepts, examples and contacts to make it happen, in a supportive hands-on atmosphere. We invite potential graduate students to learn more about us in a special Grad Day open-house on Nov. 4, 2011 where we provide an in-depth introduction to the M.Arch. programs. Students will have the opportunity to learn about the curriculum, interact with faculty and students, then inspect design projects and facilities. The core activities occur 10:00am-2:30pm with lunch provided, additional touring and social opportunities follow. See draft schedule.

RSVP to Kirsten Poulsen-House

UO Architecture Students place in ACADIA/FLATCUT_ Competition

Posted on by krystinv

Blowfish LampGeoffrey Sosebee and Max Taschek placed as Finalists in the 2011 Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture ACADIA/FLATCUT_ Design + Fabrication Competition competing against professional designers.  Geoff developed the Blowfish Lamp that changes shape from cylindrical to in Nancy Cheng’s Spring 2011 Light and Shadow class.  He used Grasshopper software so that lasercutting outlines would be automatically generated for according to the desired final shape.  Max Taschek designed the winning graphics that explained the project’s concept and clarified it’s construction.  The jury included  Tod Williams, TWBTA; Chris Sharples, SHoP Architects; Dror Benshetrit, Studio Dror and Thomas Christofferson, BIG.  Nancy Cheng is the 2009-2011 president of ACADIA (http://www.ACADIA.org)

More info at Geoff’s blog: http://gesose.wordpress.com/

Everyone can download a FREE copy of  Parametricism (SPC), ACADIA 2011 Proceedings of the Regional Conference! In March, ACADIA  held a conference to examine how flexible parametric design thinking could be applied to many facets of architecture. The conference proceedings shows how the digital approach can solve complex architectural problems within social and environmental contexts.

http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/arch_facultyschol/21/