spatialtherapy

This article appeared in the News $Observer and The Independent on August 16, 2006

In Defense of City Square, A Raleigh Arts Commission member says the city should embrace public art

by Lee Tripi

“…I want to return to people the main role in defining a public square. To give them not objects to see, but spaces to use…As an artist it is part of my responsibility to introduce beauty into the places that people live and gather. I have to think about function of course, but function alone is not usually enough to nurture the world.”

—Artist Jaume Plensa, in an August 10 public statement responding to concerns about his decision to…

Raleigh,finds itself at a critical point in its ongoing progress toward being a better place to live and establishing its identity as a creative and innovative city. Substantial work has been done to create a foundation from which to build a vibrant urban core with the revitalization of Fayettevilee Street and the new convention center.

A third element is now under scrutiny. World-renown master artist Jaume Plensa has been commissioned to conceptually design a gathering place that’s also a work of art in the hub of the city. This daring design requires much skillful engineering to make it an affordable reality. The question remains, will we dedicate enough of our resources, working in harmony to further our identity as a creative place? Or will we fumble this grand opportunity to put raleigh front and center in the eyes of the international art community?

Conservative thinkers have forever rejected bold and adventurous design. Impressionist painting was at first derided because one could actually see the brush strokes. The Louvre pyramid designed by famous Chinese architect I. M. Pei turned Paris upside down when it was first presented, but now it is a widely recognized and iconic piece. Significant works are never achieved easily.

Our city decision makers would serve us all better by embracing edgy ideas, outside influences and rapid change instead of pining for the nostalgia of the past. Should we not live for today and plan for a enjoyable and sustainable future? This could be the correct strategy for attracting and retaining the creative class of people. Growth in the Triangle has produced more divergence than unity, as much conflict as understanding, but the prospect of a forward thinking community still seems possible.

Great art by its very nature is provocative both in thought and emotion, and its sometimes controversial. Decisions concerning public art should not be about what any individual likes or dislikes. We should recognize the wonderful opportunity to appreciate Plensa’s artistic interpretation placed before us. If we do not collectively work together to make this happen, there’s a fear that Raleigh’s reputation of disdain for public art will be even further propagated.

Those who see more value in hot beds of asphalt laid for the purpose of parking a car than in having a city square with cultural significance and artistic implications should be politely heard, but never taken seriously. Instead, we should seek to enlighten those who have not yet developed an understanding of the value of artistic expression, especially in the public forum.

Some of the concerns expressed about the design are, I believe, unfounded. One such concern is that the thin veil of light emitting diodes suspended high in the air might obstruct the view of both the auditorium and the Capitol building at the opposite end.  To make this the hot issue is either a shell game or an inability to visualize the completed exhibit.  And by all indications, a permanent exhibit that will be a breath taking experience for everyone who interacts with it.

Another criticism is that the turning radius around the the grass plaza will be too tight for an 18 wheel tractor trailer to maneuver around. Are we permitting 18 wheel trucks on Fayetteville Street? If we are, we shouldn’t. it seems entirely reasonable to assume that the radius of those turns could be eased to allow for buses, emergency vehicles and parade floats. After all, was it not designed to be a walkable gathering place for the public and a destination for the traveler? A walkable place can allow for cars and parking without being like Interstae 40.

Many of the issues raised within the last several days are not insurmountable nad can be resolved with compromising modifications and thoughtful resoltions–that includes the budget. I’m confident that the Arts Commission can provide the conduit necessary to ensure clear communication for all concerned, including the artist, the engineering team and the benefactor. I encourage city repesentatives, decision makers and advisers to band together and enthusiastically clear whatever hurdles exist with this project. Raleigh has a rare opportunity not only to enjoy a centrally located promenade for its citizenry, but also a to bolster its civic pride in possessing and objet d’art of international notoriety.

by Lee Tripi

-reprinted from Cary Magazine, February 2005

We expect much more from our kitchens today than we ever did just ten years ago. They must function like a machine, a tool for the modern chef, act as the venue for all of our partying guests, and built well enough to withstand the rigors of daily cooking and weekend entertainment. Additionally, and even for those who rarely cook, it has beome a place for relaxing and attending to tasks unrelated to food preparation.  For those who renovating or having a new home built, that has to be fashionable, reflecting the style of the homeowner, as well as affordable.

Given these current demands, the kitchen industry has also identified three important trends in residential construction which, in fact, has shifted dramatically just within the last few years. The challenge has been to match the homeowner’s requirements with the shifts within the building industry.

 First, we’re seeing a huge demand across the US for second homes and retirement homes, where owners feel like they now have an opportunity to get exactly what they always dreamed of. They desire amenities such as modern European cabinetry, restaurant quality cooktops and technology that does everything from make your coffee to dispensing your wine on demand. In North Carolina, housing communities are booming at the coast and in the mountains. Building around inland waterways in areas such as the Outer Banks, New Bern, Beaufort and Morehead City is exploding. We’re also seing the same phenomena for those who desire the rarefied air in Asheville, Boone, Cashiers and Waynesville.

Secondly, for those of us who toil in the metropolitan areas and educate our kids there, we’re witnessing a keen interest by city planners and developers to design infrastructure to encourage urban density, with the idea of slowing suburban sprawl. As a result, residential lofts, high-rise condominiums and custom designed in-fill homes are being built within city limits.

Thirdly, the big buzz now is building with eco-friendly materials, sustainable and “green” materials. LEED certifications are sought by many practitioners within the design and building industry. Product manufacturers, designers and contractors are recognizing that natural resources have a limit and that some current materials can be damaging to the environment and , as such, many are responding to the demand for eco-logical design. Many will jump on the bandwagon simply because the market will demand it. In a few short years, green building will be a standard practice.

 What These Variables Mean to You

It is true that Americans are spending are spending more money than ever on improving the kitchen, but are they really getting more for their money? Even claims of “custom designed” kitchens are simply modified versions of the same cabinetry basic domestic cabinet that’s been around forever. Putting a flat slab door on a traditional cabinet does not make it modern and fully accessible.

The Cabinets

A few kitchen companies see an opportunity and has responded to these trends by engineering cabinetry to function easier ans styling with a more sophisticated aesthetic. We’re designing pantries floor to ceiling pantries with sliding doors made to look like shoji and wall cabinets with flip-up hydraulic bi-fold doors that reveal usable space inside without obstructing it. Base cabinets with drawers in lieu of hinged doors allowing the user to more comfortably access the contents without crouching down to find that frying pan.

We’re starting to take notice of kitchen design outside the US. The Italians have understood the need to live in the present with beautiful contemporary design. The Japanese have mastered imaginative use of space and the Germans have contributed superior engineering and hardware to the modern kitchen cabinet. The result is simple, sleek and modern. Harmoniously mixing aesthetics with function is now the objective. A smart appearance isn’t a luxurious add-on, but rather an integral element in the way it performs for the inhabitant. Ergonomic design is the hallmark of modern design.

Appliances

The list of amenities for the kitchen continues with the latest advancement in appliances. An entire book can be dedicated to the technological advances in kitchen appliances that have occurred within just the last few years. Built in coffee/espresso machines, exhaust hoods, electric radiant cooktops with induction technology just to name a few. We’ve specifying drawer style dishwashers and refrigerators designed to maximize space in the smaller home, loft, apartment, and yacht. This trend will continue as manufacturers feel the demand for appliances that use less energy and acquire a LEED certification as green.

Countertops

The enormous popularity of granite countertops is starting to wane. Stone is a limited resource, and for that reason awareness of environmental concerns among those considering countertops of sustainable content. The terrazzo countertop, made of an aggregate of recycled glass, epoxy and concrete offer a viable option for those not only wanting an eco-friendly material, but also desire something different.

The introduction of eco-extremeconcrete by MeldUSA in Raleigh, NC is another fine example of a green product. The product contains up to 70% post consumer and waste material. In addition to recycled glass, other by product materials include fly ash, marble chips, metal shaving including copper and aluminum, and electronic parts.

Lighting

With all of the tasks we ask our kitchens to perform, the way in which it is lighted becomes critical. Lighting is probably the most important element and yet most overlooked in the design of the kitchen. The beauty of rich wood grain or lacquered cabinet drawer and door front is enhanced by the true color rendering of halogen lighting. The advanced technology of LED and fiber optic accent lighting is now being utilized to display a backsplash or the interior of a glass door cabinet. Lighted exterior shelving is also available  Correct lighting should bring forth the beauty of the elements of the kitchen while at the same time provide for relaxing environment.

 If we’re spending the majority of our active time in the kitchens of our homes, it stands to reason that we’re investing our discretionary dollars into our Mecca where we gather to cook, eat and socialize. A kitchen not only provides much enjoyment to the home owner while inhabiting it, but also can gain a significant return on the investment when the decision is made to sell.

The kitchen is the heart and soul of the house, so have your kitchen designed to please yourself and to welcome friends and family.

At its most basic level, Time banking is simply about spending an hour doing something for somebody in your community. That hour goes into the Time Bank as a Time Dollar. Then you have a Time dollar to spend on having someone doing something for you. It’s a simple idea, but it has powerful ripple effects in building community connections.

Sometimes the simple things ripple the furthest. And it’s almost always the non-sensational simple things. They sneak in the side door, no fanfare, and are just happy to do what they do. At the end of the day, the unpretentious, un-pushy, counter elite go further than hyped sales and smoke and mirrors.

Obligatory Wikipedia link.

This sculpture by Alastair Heseltine reminds me a lot of Andy Goldsworthy’s work.

When Jimmy Buffett goes into the recording studio, everything is down in less than 3 takes. He doesn’t spend hours mixing & re-mixing, a la Steely Dan. Or going from studio to studio to access equipment that may only be in one of them. The result is laying down an honest, raw creation, that in spite of its hiccups still gets the point across. The bumps are a large part of the appeal, actually. That is Wabi-sabi in auditory form.

So I just connected wabi sabi to Jimmy Buffett. That’s how new stuff is made, new places we can go, and new concepts are born. I’ve been doing it for years, so it’s automatic to me. If it’s not yet automatic for you,  the idea generator wheel is a booster to making connections that get you going again. Give it a spin. You might come up with the next Trans Siberian Orchestra.

Foodpairing is a site that maps complimentary flavors. Blueberries apparently get along with cinnamon and sage.

This is just a tool to inspire you. You still need as a chef the craftsmanship, the experience,…to translate this inspiration into a good recipe. It is not only mixing two components together. The balance between the two is important.

The point being, all of us have access to the same ingredients. What makes the end product different is the person who puts them together. If time is a luxury, sometimes it works out ok by instinct. If not, the experience of practice can deliver a much more efficient, fitting, and pleasing solution. That’s why designers (a group inclusive of chefs, graphic artists, interior space designers, choreographers, etc) matter.

The tricky part is that the best designers make it look so easy to do. Anyone can go out and get new cabinets and countertops from Home Depot. But if they’re unfamiliar with nuances in style, color, circulation space, or how height changes can feel, it won’t look or be anything like that picture of what they wanted. And chances are it will bug them at some level every time they see it, use it, move through it. Some folks may even start over. Which translates to more time & money & inconvenience.

Designers are hired for that accumulation of experience - because time is valuable, and learning to do it yourself may not even get you where you want to go. Sure, you can get the strawberries and rhubarb, but will it be the same as Ashley Christensen’s dessert specialty? Isn’t the whole point of going to a place like Vin because of Ashley’s creative menu? Isn’t that what makes it worth it?

So if you’d trust a talented chef and spend a special night out at dinner for a couple of hours, doesn’t it make sense to also trust a designer with creating spaces in which you spend much more time?

Awesome. If you’re ready to get rid of Oriental Trading Cards monthly, or Brogans for Bimbos, this is the place to kill them both. Straightforward, easy to use, the way a good tool should be.

By Marcell Jankovics. Watch without sound first.