Space Pong

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Pollyanna

One of the really great things about New York city is the Public Space here. And one of the best things about the public space in NYC is that it can be appropriated to be anything. The streets become markets (NYC Streetfairs), the parks become theaters (Bryant Park Movies) and plazas become shanty towns that represent social discontent (Occupy Wall Street*).

Lately we witnessed the World Financial Centre become a sports arena, and an art gallery with Pongtopia. It was a public space, a sports event and an art auction all at the same time. This event was conceptualized and organized by SpinGalactic, NY’s answer to LA’s ping pong clubs, in collaboration with Brookfield Properties.

Public Space becomes tournament space

Tournament

Table Art

Designer Paddles Auction to benefit Operation Design

* More on OWS in the works

Redefining Public space?

Posted on October 6, 2011 by Pollyanna

Maybe “re-defining” is too strong a term- its raises expectations. One expects a strong, deliberate deviation from the norm. A statement. A space like no other.
No- the example below is not a re-definition of public space. It is perhaps a different expression of it…yes that is the term. EXPRESSION.

A construction zone on a street…expressing itself (courtesy of Le Pain Quotidien) as a public zone.

View from sidewalk

Interesting detail of floor structure- Place it anywhere and Voila!..instant decking for public space!

Elevators and Design

Posted on September 26, 2011 by Pollyanna

We all encounter elevators sometime in our day/life. Some more often than others so your level of comfort depends on how often you ride one. Elevators are spaces for conversation, or for staying mum; for looking at what someone is wearing/doing/eating/etc and for showing off the same when it comes to you. They are also intimate spaces. You are captive in this space with someone and their dog/cat/mail/work/phone etc. for a given period of time. You are their elevator friend.

It is a private public space. Think about that.

However this post is not about the design of elevators although we are sure we will categorize them in another set of posts. It is about finding something interesting recently when riding one, recently. A shirt. On a person of course.

It is about being “those people” who ask someone, most inappropriately, to take a photo of what they are wearing because we have never seen it before. It is about a photo shoot in poor lighting, with a phone camera, while managing a dog/cat/mail/work etc, for those few minutes that you share that private public space with someone.

It is about seizing the moment. In a very lame way.

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