In the spring of 2003 I was introduced to the art of Yann Arthus-Bertrand. An internationally recognized photographer, he has the gift of finding and bringing out the sublime from where it quietly lies hidden, hard to articulate, inaccessible or beyond grasp. The captured motifs of geometric patterning or haiku like fleeting moments have been shown around the world, with months’ long stops in many European cities, the Middle East, Mexico, Canada, Australia, and South America, but had limited exposure in the US, through a single exhibit in the Millennium Park in Chicago.
I was invited to submit a proposal for the design and layout of outdoor display units for a travelling exhibition of 120-150 photographs and additional information materials. The intent of the organizers was to launch a 15-20 city tour with simultaneous openings in NY and LA on Earth Day, April 22, 2004. The size of the photographs is 120×180 cm, and each is mounted on an aluminum composite panel. Each panel is lit up at night. The brief called for units that are simple, sturdy, easy to assemble and disassemble, serviceable, easily transportable, and economical.
With efficiency as our utmost consideration, the standalone unit design implements a minimal set of components: 4 steel pipes, steel cable and a simple sub-frame to provide support for 4 exhibit panels. The unit is based on an original structural principle (tensegrity) whereby the pipes are held by a cable rigging without touching one another, suspended in midair in a dynamic equilibrium. The system would allow for easy and quick assembly and dis-assembly. Being collapsible, it can be easily stowed away in standard shipping containers and minimize transportation volume and cost.
The proposal stipulated that a full scale prototype be built to allow for subtle adjustments to the design prior to producing the necessary 30-40 units.
Unfortunately the exhibition hit funding snags and never materialized. The work of Yann Arthus-Bertrand, however is as popular as ever. Some of it is even integrated as a layer in Google Earth.
Design team:
Raffi Tomassian – architecture, design
Shayne Manning – structural engineering
One Comment
These are beautiful structures for displaying photos, paintings, or other artwork. It’s great how the light rigging is simply an extension of the compression elements.
The structures would draw viewers into the artwork!
I hope someone uses this design.