Designing for Light
Back to the Hirshhorn, from yesterday's post. Director, Richard Koshalek, has asked Doug Aitken, a Los Angeles based artist to redesign the museum's bookstore and shop. I was amazed with what he's come up with. He's designed a space that refracts light with mirrored, angled walls. The shop is located in the basement and currently has no natural light. He intends on using a shaft to a window from the floor above as the light source. He came up with the idea based on what he thought books meant to him — "enlightenment." This was the illuminating idea to spark his creative process.
The design will cost between $500,000 – $700,000, mostly funded through the Hirshhorn's acquisition fund. The hope is that it will be completed by fall 2011.
The conceptual design above looks great and even reminds me of Olafur Eliasson's work. It will be artwork unto itself. Aitken's intent is to create a room without walls. In concept this sounds wonderful but their will be "stuff" and the concept above shows and "empty" shop with no books or wares. I'm not sure how it will look once filled.
Thinking of mirrors and a good song to Kick-Start the Weekend, here's video clips from Thievery Corporation's Shadow's of Ourselves featuring the singer, Loulou at the Eighteenth Street Lounge. This is one of the best places I've been to listen and dance to fantastic lounge music.
casart
I'm an artist, wife and mother of two boys. I started my illustration business, The Occasional Palette over 35 years ago, when my oldest son was an infant. Once my children were in school, I began painting decorative, faux finishes and murals through my second business, Casart, now over 30 years old. My third business, Casart Coverings, is a springboard from my second. Click on the link on the sidebar to see innovative, custom, designer wallcovering, removable and reusable wallpaper and coordinating decor.
