Public Space / Public Life Studio: Playing on the Pier!
Temporary installation on Seattle's Waterfront by Larch 504/Arch 504 students
Hundreds of waterfront artgoers visited Pier 62/63 to play with installations created by interdisciplinary landscape architecture, architecture and urban planning students from the UW's College of Built Environments, most who recently returned from a study tour to Denmark and Sweden. Five interactive exhibits developed by the 25 students included "Sub-merge," "Home Sweet Waterfront," "rePort," "Catch the Current" and "Re-connect." The planned exhibits were supplemented by impromptu chalking, dance performances, bubbles, bridal photos and Seattle's watery landscape. Professor Nancy Rottle (LA) and Kathryn Merlino (Arch) co-lead the Public Space / Public Life studio, which features teaching from Gehl Architects with support from the ScanlDesign Foundation. A two-page color spread about the installation was published in the Oct. 14 edition of the UW Daily.
Sub-merge:A sea of green helium-filled balloon kelp provided habitat for message-carrying fish, children and adults, creating a compelling entrance along the beach edge of the pier.
Home Sweet Waterfront: A furnished whitewashed living room with curtains blowing in the wind invited people of all ages to scribe poetry and their desires for the waterfront's future.
rePort: Children of all ages enjoyed stacking bright shipping container blocks inside of the ship-shape, while massive full scale container ships drifted to hulking cranes at the port.
Catch the Current: Bell-ringing streamers stirred by the wind became an obstacle course, accompanying chime music played by guests.
Re:connect: Windows to Seattle's iconic vistas and peeking friends became conjoined with mirrored city views.
An impromptu wedding photo.
