it's only a game

It's all about collaboration this days. There is so many examples of collaborations between famous artists/architects/designers and brands. Zaha Hadid has her own shoes, 

Karl Lagerfeld his own coca-cola bottle, Karim Rashid his watches. Most of the studios bring together individuals from multidisciplinary backgrounds with different skills and unique approach. Different fields of art also seem to intersect fluidly.

I recently came across those images showing a beautify designed and choreographed fashion show, which after quick search I find out was Alexander's McQueeen show from 2005. But there are more and more examples when fashion show turn almost into a performance.

'It's only a game' Alexander McQueen Spring/ Summer 2005

Not only fashion designers seems to be 'playing' with ideas and inviting art into their shows. Many exclusive

shops nowadays hire artist to design window exhibitions that look more and more elaborate and seem to  suit more into a gallery space then a shop.

Chinese artist Wang Qingsong sits in the shop window of Selfridges

Apifera window installation by Matthew Plummer Fernandez for Selfridges

Koolhaas House Life

I like looking at and into. I like noticing things that some people wouldn't notice. I like accidental things happening. I like how it can change everything.

The collision of the carefully choreographed view or space and the incidental, often transitory context is crucial to the way we receive what we are looking at. 

Sometimes the foreground of the window display can be easily turned into a background. 
What was designed to get our attention and sell the product seems insignificant while the act of window cleaning turned almost into a performance.

Ttriptych: The Man in a Pink Shirt © Agnieszka Swietlik

Looking at the picture above it's almost impossible not to think about social context. About all those nameless people who come, do they work, and go away. 
People who suppose to be invisible. But they aren't. They change the way we look at things.

I recently watched an amazing film showing one of the masterpieces of contemporary architecture. Koolhaas Houselife portrays Maison Bordeaux designed by the architect. 
The film lets the viewer enter into the house’s daily intimacy. Following and mapping daily chores of the housekeeper and other people who look after the house. 
It's fascinating, intriguing and funny but most of all it changes the way you look at this magnificent building. Shows the heart and should of this 'machine for leaving'.

Watch.

Rem Koolhaas Maison Bordeaux                                                            Koolhaas Houselife 

look at you looking at me.

 

© Agnieszka Swietlik

Window tax

My interest in windows made me think of windows that are forgotten. Gone but still present - reminders of what is gone. Would you miss a view from your window?

© Agnieszka Swietlik

The window tax was a property tax based on the number of windows in a house. It was a significant social, cultural, and architectural force in England, France and Scotland during the 18th and 19th centuries. To avoid the tax some houses from the period can be seen to have bricked-up window-spaces (ready to be glazed at a later date), as a result of the tax. It was introduced in 1696 and was repealed in 1851, 156 years after first being introduced. Spain and France both had window taxes as well for similar reasons. (from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Maybe it is better for some windows to be forgotten? Second life might not always be a good idea.

© Agnieszka Swietlik

Chelsea College of Art and Design Quiet Space

In this design we wanted to create a comfortable and cosy space but with the least that is possible space lost. Firs step was to remove the door that was connecting the entrance corridor from main space, which opened it up.

To distinguishes spaces we use different flooring – easy to wash tiles for the toilet and entrance where you can leave your coat and shoes and light plywood panels for the main space. Another important decision was to move sink outside of rarely used toilet and create a niche for it in the space of the corridor. The sink is installed on a height that enable it to be used for religious purposed (Wadu practice).

Inside there is a wall unit with a bed build in it. It is a space to hide and rest or have a conversation, lie down if you are not feeling well. The only other furniture is  a build in storage and a small table accompanied by a soft and comfortable rug and bigger and smaller pillows.

We decided to use neutral colours taken from nature with dominant warm cream and beige. The only strong colour accent is dark wood used for the cloakroom. In the main space we decided to use a pattern that connects the wall unit with the walls and "wraps" the space together  There is also a laser cut panel that continues the pattern and give nice and soft light as an alternative to direct ceiling spot light. 

© Agnieszka Swietlik

© Agnieszka Swietlik

© Agnieszka Swietlik

Wimbledon College of Art Quiet Space

Inspiration for the design came from the space itself. It is very unusual – extremely tall, narrow and full of exposed pipes. Our decision was not to fight with existing features of the space but use them and turn into advantages. The main idea as planned was comfort, simplicity and functionality. 

Main colours used are very bright with white walls and furniture and light plywood. Colourful pipes make the space more alive and vibrant.  We did not want to end up with a traditional hospital alike space. For the same purpose there is also a continuous pattern on the walls that goes  through the whole space. It is simple and not too distracting. It is based on the pipe shape  and starts directly out of them.

To make the space functional or even multifunctional we designed a wall unit to hide all functions in one place as save as much of precious space as possible. Even though very narrow wall unit holds a bed with a small shelf and storages for the praying mats, religious books or/and artefacts and first aid kit. This leave enough space for prayer.

© Agnieszka Swietlik

© Agnieszka Swietlik

The lighting we suggested for the space are long ceiling lamps that are supposed to visually lover the space.

© Agnieszka Swietlik

© Agnieszka Swietlik

Last change is replacement of the existing sink for a bigger one and install it on a lower height to enable it to be used for religious purposed (Wadu practice).

Quiet Room Project

Last November together with three of my friends we took part in a competition organised by University of the Arts London to design an interior for the multi-purpose Quiet Spaces being developed across CCW. It was a corroboration project between MA Interior and Spatial Design and MA Textile Design students, therefore each team had at least one Textile student. I was a good opportunity to learn one from another. 

The idea was to design quiet rooms / spaces that can be used  for individual prayer and reflection, meditation, contemplation or simply being quiet. Important aspect was to create neutral “smart” spaces which can be used by people for those purposes. In our mind spaces like this should have a sense of tranquillity, peace and safety. They way to achieve this is to use suitable materials, textiles and soft furnishings as well as adjustable lighting to create a calm and relaxing environment. 

Because the space may be used by students from different faith backgrounds or denominations at the same time space should be non-denominational, with no one religious group represented through iconography or visible artefacts. Main idea of the design is comfort, simplicity and functionality.

Design should take into account a way to create a sense of privacy that is why we decided to design a sign to be put outside of the rooms. Not only to let know if it is vacant or occupied (with the use of the slide) but also to mark the space and emphasize the use it will have.

From about 10 teams that took part in the competition our won. What made our design very different from all the other amazing ideas was that we took an individual approach to each of the sites. Both of the spaces are very different and have their own identity which we tried to emphasize in our design.

As a winning team we were invited to take part in realising the project. Now, few months after the final drawings are ready and in just 2 weeks the work will finally start. Very excited about that! 


I will share the design for each of the sites in following posts.

More info: http://www.arts.ac.uk/diversity/guidanceandotherresources/religiousliteracy/quietspaces/