Talking about trends I should classify this magnificent city as a breeding ground of them. All that is trendy in NY becomes new in the world. The perfect place to see and be seen. You can perceive it in its streets, in its people, in its neighborhoods, in the number of photos taken per minute in each of its corners. A shot in New York City, from there to the rest of the world.
Being more specific, Manhattan, an island with limited space and apparently finished, submerged in an emerging air of decadence. Capital of the world of the twentieth century. Condemned, somehow, to stay with what it already has and in case of future growing, as it cannot be otherwise, vertically. Not knowing exactly how or when.
In Manhattan what is new, alive and shifting, is not its buildings or its entrenched hardware, but its inner movement, which runs through its veins at breakneck speed. Perhaps, the best large scale and ephemeral worldwide showcase.
Storefront, party. Courtesy of Ainhoa Martín.
Moreover talking about storefronts, it is absolutely impossible not to remember one of the most famous, especially among the guild of architects, designers and artists. A showcase, which, although watchable, is not exactly transparent and nor even located in 5th Avenue. A triangle in plan, as little space as possible, a corner, always waiting to be clothed, it comes through as increasingly unrecognizable inside, and always absolutely recognizable on the outside. Those folding cuts designed by Steven Holl, can´t be others than those drawings ever seen in a book or magazine, no matter how are they painted, covered or dressed up. Open or closed. An unforgettable diagram.
Storefront of Art and Architecture, in 97th of Kennmare St, seems to lead the way in terms of experimental display of art and architecture worldwide. Always aware and wearing the latest, it presents in this inside-and-out form, suggestive ideas and impossible compilations. Fast, fun and as fleeting as intense. A very good appetizer.
Storefront of Art and Architecture, July 2012. Courtesy of Ainhoa Martín.
Almost everything that happens indoors manifests through the facade, getting on key days, a bunch of people all around its boundaries. Groups, news, and relaxed chats with drink in hand, making lot of us remember this typical Spanish phenomenon of occupy the outer limits of the sites. Whether it is winter or it is summer. A perfect place to meet and keep up with what's going on. There, in its outline, you can meet people going from your co-workers, teenager students carrying folders, to one of the greatest celebrities of the architectural "Star system". Or anyone with a minute of time available, making guesses about where to enter. And in this point everything goes about corners.
Detail of the facade, Storefront Art and Architecture. Courtesy of Ainhoa Martín.
Having set in place, I would review one of the exhibitions that I had a chance to visit this summer. Being a big fan of graphics, drawings and everything printed or captured on paper, was impossible for me to miss this display of cleverness hung on the walls of this gallery. "A representational drawing or any other relevant method to Represent / generate the Storefront for Art and Architecture today". A self-portrait of the place made by others. Interesting.
This is not an entrance. Courtesy of Ainhoa Martín.
And there, indeed, everything imaginable could be seen, from the most recognizable to the more abstract. Highlight one of them, a Metaphor from A to Z, a five minute poem by Beatriz Ramo (STAR Strategies + architecture). "Beatutiful triangles". A slice of pizza, the famous Madonna cone-bra, the J of Jabugo Spanish ham, and with the letter S of Storefront, an image of the plant of the site. Isn´t this NY?
Beautiful Triangles, Star Strategies + Architecture. Photography © Beatriz Ramo. Courtesy of Ainhoa Martín.
Maybe with a dose of empathy, (because of the ham) and a greater sense of humor and grace, this metaphor encapsulated in a framework seduced me charged with meaning and sense. And it sounds like this:
“Beautiful triangles,
worn out metaphors;
we entrusted you with a mission:
so go! – and spread the word.
And there you go,
great architect on stage,
explaining your architecture,
don’t you get red in the face?
Beautiful triangles:
pizza, Freddie and Rem,
symbols of the Storefront,
will forever be stuck in the minds of them.”
IN TREATMENT - METALOCUS.
DIRECTOR: JOSÉ JUAN BARBA. COORDINATION: INÉS LALUETA. ORGANIZATION: INÉS LALUETA, PEDRO NAVARRO. GUESTS SECOND SEASON: JOSÉ JUAN BARBA, JAVIER SANCHO, FRANCISCO PELAEZ, MICHAEL MORADIELLOS, MELISSA SCHUMACHER, VERÓNICA ROSERO, AINHOA MARTÍN.
