China’s Jinhua Architecture Park
|An architecture lover’s paradise, the Jinhua Architecture Park in China is a two kilometer ribbon of land that winds itself along the Yiwu River. It includes seventeen specially designed pavilions by leading Chinese and international architects. The project began in 2002 as a memorial dedication from Chinese architect Ai Weiwei for his father, Chinese poet Ai Qing.
The pavilions have varied functions such as ceramics galleries, restaurants and performance spaces. The designers were given an opportunity to create architecture in which the function follows the form, resulting in a showcase of unique building displaying the diversity of modern architecture. This can be seen with Swiss firm; Herzog and De Muerons design for a reading space.
Normally concerned with facade treatments, they were encouraged to unleash their creativity into a more sculptural form. There creation was an inspirational reading space formed by a maze of twisted red metal honeycomb. Despite the distinctly different building forms the park manages to maintain a homogeneous design by cleverly linking the pavilions with devices such as materiality, vistas and landscaping.
Tagged: Ai Qing, Chinese architecture, Jinhua Architecture Park, Yiwu River
Also by KATHERINE BRICE
An illusion of a futuristic world
An exhibition on architecture where the building becomes the art? The front of Bratislava, The Slovak National gallery, has been converted into what looks like a four lane highway, suspended precariously over the footpath. The classic brutalist facade of the gallery used to be concealed behind a big billboard advertising Ford. NL Architects decided if they had to have advertising on the building, they were going to do it in style. This transformation was designed as advertising for Modernice!, an exhibition of work by Dutch firm, NL architects. The exhibition is displayed in a in a fifty-meter long arm of the Bratislava museum and runs until June 21.
Due for completion this year, the Centre Pompidou-Metz in France is an elegant and audacious structure. The design features a transparent polytetrafluoroethylene roofing membrane, stretched over a hexagonal lattice, thats form is derived from a ‘muak kui’ (traditional Chinese woven hat). The Centre, which is to be used predominantly as a gallery, will have both adaptable spatial and lighting options, which enhances the notion of flexibility both within the aesthetics of the building and within its function. Read more
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Helmut Smits is a multidisciplinary visual artist based in the Netherlands. Packaging of all kind seems to fascinate him, at least enough to serve as components for his modern sculptures and art installations. I like the idea of making use of old tins, cans or bottles in a creative way. Read more
I sometimes wish I kept a dream journal, but I still haven’t managed to do it. Esao Andrews seems like he manages to paint paintings and draw detailed pictures to record his dreamworld. Read more
Ten Masked Men are a British parody band that does death metal covers of famous pop songs by Ricky Martin, Christina Aguilera, Madonna, and many others. One of my favorites is their cover of Justin Timberlake’s ‘Cry Me a River’. It’s epic.
It seems only fitting that New York’s first eco dining experience, Habana Outpost, is located in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. Read more
We invited Greg Gillis, aka Girl Talk, who aside from being the DJ of the moment is also the remix whiz behind tracks from Beck, Tokyo Police Club, and Grizzly Bear, to give us a rundown on the songs he’s wearing out right now for our sister site, My Secret Playlist. He started off by propping Beyonce’s anthemic single, Single Ladies [listen below]. Go figure! ‘This is one of my favorite Beyonce tracks ever. It has so much energy, and the chorus gets dark in a great way. The clapping never stops. The video is a flawless execution of a performance style clip. It’s perfect’. Read the rest of Girl Talk’s Secret Playlist.
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When you first hear William Elliot Whitmore’s voice, it’s hard to believe he isn’t a grizzled old man. The baritone-voiced one-man-band does rousing bar room ballads on the banjo and guitar that are sure to send shivers down your spine. On closer listen, Whitmore’s voice does seem slightly affected. But like Tom Waits before him, his voice is likely to age like a good scotch.
Listen to the William Wlliot Whitemore track, Dry.
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Although these things look very cool, they could not possibly be comfortable. The artist behind them, John Kelly, wanted the clogs to resemble shoes for the Nike78 exhibition.
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Get lost in a daydream or a craving for something sweet while gazing at these cool sculptures by Brooklyn-based WiNK WiNK PONY. Made using clay, tree bark, wood, and mossy moss.
Never ever, ever, ever, ever park here
Some friendly advice for the neighbours, who simply don’t get it, or street art? You decide which one it is.
Cookie Boy’s creative cookie designs
I don’t eat cookies, so good thing Cookie Boy’s cookies are little pieces of art too pretty and cute to eat. Read more
Pitched as ‘Ulterior Motives in Contemporary Art’, Disorder Disorder is running until November 14 at Penrith Regional Gallery. It’ll be well worth the trip out west of Sydney: the Australian, Japanese, American and European cast reads like a warriors of street art roundup and includes Mike Giant, Ed Templeton, Anthony Lister [artwork above], Ozzie Wright, and Jonathan Zawada. Read more
Mathematics? Leave me out. Fashematics? Now you’re talking! This gem of a site is a runway equation that adds up to a whole lot of wonderful.
New York-based artist Suzuki Mariko has made this handmade felt doll set of a mom and happy baby bear sitting on a sofa. At just three inches wide and two inches high, it’s perfect for your side table. It can even watch TV with you. Aw! We have it for sale in the Lost At E Minor store. Read more
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