* THE MAGIC BEAN *
> sven neumann & narineh mirzaeian >
“It’s not worth a single bean” (German saying)
The Magic Bean - Project combines elements of a number of symbolically saturated fairytales about beans, such as ‘Jack and the beanstalk’ or ‘Baron Munchhausen’, with the historic traces of the wind tunnel the show takes place in. Both references emphasize the foremost dream of mankind – the ability to ‘touch the sky’.
The Magic Bean - Project is a multilayered approach reflecting the experimental spirit, the wind tunnel was created and utilized for. It will mimic a scientific laboratory consisting of a series of 6 vertical micro wind tunnels in which controlled experiments of different characteristics will take place.
The initial layer of the project deals with the spatial quality of the remaining wind tunnel core, both in a basic perceptual and in a tactile way. Using 6 of the existing industrial light fixtures currently in the space to wrap with translucent latex material we will define 35ft long vertical wind tubes ( Ø 2ft ) hanging in space.
The result is a series of glowing columns: a row of elongated lanterns that will occupy the vast space with a new order by superimposing a rhythmic presence within the uninterrupted space. From a distance the glowing tubes will read as an obvious spatial condition that offers a sense of scale for the visitors, at closer glance the second layer reveals itself. Within each tube, suspended from the light fixtures and anchored by an industrial fan at the base point, will be a controlled ecological experiment, a vertical micro garden, testing various conditions and factors which can contribute to either the facilitation or failure of growth. The activities and processes set up to take place as part of the vertical micro gardens will sustain themselves fully within the illuminated columns. Using the existing industrial lights as a food source, the fan anchor at the base as a cooling mechanism, and a low tech irrigation system threaded through the latex as the means of receiving water, each column will be an attempt at maintaining an autark ecosystem.
The living species which will serve as the quintessential subject will be a common variety climber beans. The bean will serve as a place holder in the scope of the vertical garden. Within each column it will be exposed to varying conditions; therefore, testing a combination of parameters that will nourish growth.
> Project GEAR >
GEAR was formed by Narineh Mirzaeian
and Sven Neumann in 2002 as a nonprofit collaboration focusing on detecting
problematic, social or cultural conditions, un-protected physical elements,
accidental situations or unfinished concepts to fuse them with new design ideas,
radical tendencies in science and technology or phenomenon occurring in nature
and tectonics. The projects both, of virtual and physical nature are often formulated
as overt political statements that are meant to break up established connections
to allow for unexpected, inverse kinetic moments with inherent ecological qualities
to emerge. Just as the ominous title GEAR suggests, the nature of this collaboration
is always multilayered in meaning and often inspired by a deep connection to
the ancestral origins (Armenia and Germany) and personal backgrounds of its
members.
> bios >
Narineh Mirzaeian – received
her undergraduate degree in Architecture from the University of Southern California,
and went on to the University of California, School of Arts, Los Angeles, where
she graduated from the Masters of Architecture program in 2003. She was a team
member of the 3rd installment in the LA NOW series, working with Thom Mayne
to develop a future vision of downtown Los Angeles and its role in offering
a solution to the housing shortage the city faces. Her architectural entries,
photographs, collages, and film contributions have been featured and exhibited
throughout the US as well as Armenia. Her work with various international NGOs
has involved her with the efforts of developing and sustaining infrastructure
in economically deprived communities abroad. She is currently employed with
Graft.
Sven
Neumann – studied architecture in Braunschweig, Germany, Vienna, Austria,
Los Angeles USA and graduated from the University of California, School of Arts,
Los Angeles, Masters of Architecture program in 2003. His thesis project ‘Retrosnake
House’ on saturated morph patterning won the award for best project in
2003. It has been one of the semifinalists at POSSIBLE FUTURES Bienal Miami
+ Beach 2003 and has been featured in the exhibition ‘Beyond Media, 7th
international festival for architecture in video’, Florence, Italy. He
worked for offices such as Graft, Greg Lynn, Imaginary Forces and is currently
employed at Gehry Partners. He was an associate lecturer for 3D modeling &
animation, at the HBK Braunschweig, Germany. His digital designs, C-animations
and rapid prototyping products were on display in exhibitions in Germany, Austria
and the US. The research is based on adaptive patterning, war architecture and
‘metal gear’
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