Event 1: Hammer Museum

I attended the exhibit titled Provocations: The Architecture and Design of Heatherwick Studio showcased inside the Hammer Museum on April 24. Inside contained works of Thomas Heatherwick for projects around the world. For each project, a question was presented that posed as the main challenge going into the work. Through these questions, Heatherwick is able to showcase his inventive approach to each challenge.

One such example is called Extrusions. The questions posed is the following: "Can you squeeze a chair out of a machine, the way you squeeze toothpaste out of a tube?" To accomplish this, the studio worked with a factory to create a straight bench with a disfigured end that resembles the behavior of squeezing a tube of toothpaste.

Extrusions

Another piece, the Large Span Rolling Bridge, explores the question of "Is it possible to make a rolling bridge long enough to span the Thames River?" The project explores being able to roll up a bridge on one side through the use of a winch and a system of cables and pulleys.

1:15 Scale Model of the Large Span Rolling Bridge

Heatherwick's works appear to initially address engineering challenges, but a second look reveals each piece's questions serves as a foundations for what ultimately is an artistic expression that challenges modern architecture as well as everyday objects. This course constantly explores the combination of art with numerous technological aspects and I would personally say Provocations represents a blend of art and civil engineering/architecture.

The author at the event