PIXEL CLOUD by Marcos Zotes.
11/05/2013.
By Marcos Zotes/UNSTABLE. [Reykjavik] Iceland.
metalocus, SERGIO CIDONCHA.
metalocus, SERGIO CIDONCHA.
The current financial situation has left a permanent landscape of obsolete scaffolding structures scattered across the city; urban scars that remind us of the fragility of our current society. PIXEL CLOUD is an architectural installation that takes advantage of this condition, transforming an ordinary scaffolding structure into a fully immersive environment of light and sound in the heart of Reykjavík.
Designed and directed by Iceland based architect Marcos Zotes and his studio UNSTABLE, PIXEL CLOUD creates an opportunity for Icelanders to reconsider the use and management of their urban public spaces. Located in front of the Icelandic House of Parliament in Reykjavik, Austuvöllur Square became the scenario for the multitudinary protests of 2008 that lead to an unprecedented change of government. PIXEL CLOUD temporarily transformed this space into a site of reconciliation. During the opening night, thousands of citizens gathered as a community to share a common experience in an event that has been pointed by local residents as the largest public gathering in Austuvöllur since the events of 2008.
The installation consists of a large scaffolding structure that has been assembled in a way to conceptually resemble a pixelated cloud. The scaffold, once liberated from its functions as an element in the construction industry, is treated as an object of art in itself. The entire structure is covered with a porous membrane composed of multiple layers of white net fabric. This membrane captures the light that is projected onto its surfaces while letting it pass through its porous openings and reach its multiple layers.
A series of live generative visuals were video mapped to match in detail the spatial qualities of the structure, which were projected at 24,000 lumens from two different light sources. As the projected light passes from one layer of fabric onto the next, the light emission not only fills the entire space but it also reaches the bodies of citizens that venture into the environment of light and shadows created inside the structure.
During the four nights in which Reykjavik Winter Lights Festival took place, Marcos Zotes performed a series of live visual creations in conjunction with live performances by Icelandic musician Eðvarð Egilsson and his project Cosmos. The structure remained as an elevated public platform during the daytime, allowing local residents to enjoy their surrounding urban environment with a new perspective.
CREDITS.-
Design and visual production.- Marcos Zotes.
Music.- Eðvarð Egilsson/Cosmos.
Location.- Austurvöllur. Reykjavik, Iceland.
Event.- Reykjavik Winter Lights Festival 2013.
Date of completion.- Del 7 al 10 de febrero de 2013.
Marcos Zotes (Madrid, 1977), currently living and working in Reykjavik, Iceland. Marcos is the Director of UNSTABLE, a design and research laboratory that explores the social and political aspects of architecture in relation to the urban context. Through the use of technology, multi-disciplinary collaboration, and citizen participation his interventions challenge the limitations of urban public space and provide opportunities for debate, autonomy, and interaction with the urban environment. Marcos received a Professional Diploma in Architecture from London Metropolitan University, and a Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design from Columbia University. In addition, Marcos teaches design studios at Iceland Academy of the Arts in Reykjavik. More info at: www.unstablespace.com
Main awards:
2012 "Menningarnótt" Reykjavik Culture Night Grant. Reykjavik. / 1st Prize/ProcessRoom, MadridArtProcess 2012, Madrid. / 1st Prize/Reykjavik Winter Lights Festival 2012, Iceland. / Kinne Traveling Fellowship. GSAPP, Columbia University, New York. / Gatsby Charitable Foundation Fund. CU Arts Initiative, New York.
2011 Honor Award for Excellence in Design. GSAPP, Columbia University, New York. / Lucille Smyser Lowenfish Memorial Prize. GSAPP, Columbia University, New York. / Iceland Concrete Award (with Basalt Arkitektar), Iceland. / DV Culture Award (with Basalt Arkitektar), Iceland.
2009 La Caixa Fellowship for Post-graduate Study in USA, Spain. / 1st Prize/Master in Interior Design Scholarship. Istituto Europeo di Design, Madrid. / Shortlisted/International Award for Architecture Diploma. ACXT / IDOM, Spain.
2008 Finalist/SPACE Prize for International Students of Architecture. Jury: Ryue Nishizawa (SANAA).