Another very long week in studio. Here are a few photos from two years back, from a project attempting to map how I read a book and turned a page. This work led to the reading chair mentioned in previous posts.
04/25: Studio Arm
04/24: Defining Belmont
In West Philadelphia the Belmont neighborhood is defined by Lancaster Ave to the south, 40th St to the east, Belmont Ave to the west and the Septa tracks to the north. These four borders give definition to a place and a neighborhood. Depending on who you ask, this area could be considered part of Mantua, and... Continue Reading →
04/23: Quality of Life
Rankings periodically come out listing various cities and countries in terms of GDP or "gross national happiness" or other measure of the quality of life. The process is inherently reductive and tries to judge widely different contexts against the same measure. GDP is the simplest means of comparison, roughly calculating the sum total of economic... Continue Reading →
04/22: Portfolio Cover
I've thought about how a printed and bound portfolio represents a body of work as compared to a blog, and I prefer the open ended and incremental nature of a blog. Both have the somewhat awkward convention of reverse chronology, unable to show progression or evolution of ideas (the problem is especially apparent with the... Continue Reading →
04/21: Engine 46
As part of a class on Historic Preservation Economics, I am part of a team looking at the 1894 Engine 46 Firehouse, a steakhouse in its latest life up until 2006 when the proprietor allegedly ran into gambling trouble and forfeited all his assets (most of the restaurant). The Southwark Historical Society has a... Continue Reading →
04/18: Film Roll
A few pictures from the past few days. A Friday review means burnt out or distracted students. This DIY bike tool station saved me late Thursday night as my bike wheel had a slow flat. The tools are protected by cables and by the watchful eyes of indebted bikers. More shots of brick's surprisingly... Continue Reading →
04/12: Notes
The Slingshot is a daily planner with an anarchist theme citing historical episodes of radical protest or revolution on each day of the year. A friend of mine had one and used it religiously, but I never bothered to track one down for my own use. I did need something that could fit in my pocket, so... Continue Reading →
04/11: Waterfall Swing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1uwQVtHHOQ Last summer I tagged along with the Waterfall Swing as it went to the Forecastle Festival in Louisville Kentucky. The project is a great example of interactive art, as a sheet of water is printed out around anyone on the swing. At a music festival, long lines and lots of liability restrict the sculpture... Continue Reading →
04/10: Sagrada Familia
A few months ago a video rendering made the rounds on the internet showing what the Sagrada Familia would look like in 2026. Back in 2009 I was fortunate to get a tour of the site. I feel conflicted about the completion of the project. Gaudi's plans are followed like scripture, with interesting decisions and... Continue Reading →
04/07: View From the Arc
A few photos from a trip to Paris in the Spring of 2009. These were taken from the top of the Arc de Triomphe. The weather was cool and damp, but the skies cooperated for the photographs.
Adam Achrati 