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Monday, July 16, 2012

Looking at cardboard artists this week, in preparation for an installation I'm starting. (Woops, forgot to post these this morning!)

1. Shigeru Ban
He's actually a Japanese architect, but I found his work on a site devoted to cardboard artists. His work is innovative and beautiful enough to be considered as fine art - plus, it actually functions as architecture (he uses a weather-proofing technique on the cardboard) which is amazing!

Paper Bridge, 2007

The bridge, located over the Gardon River in southern France, is made almost entirely out of cardboard tubes (281 to be exact), and is strong enough to carry 20 people at a time. The steps of the bridge are constructed from recycled paper and plastic. And how does it stand up, you may ask yourself? It turns out cardboard is surprisingly strong when engineered as precisely and creatively as Ban has designed it, but the foundations do get a little help from wooden boxes packed with sand.
The bridge also sits adjacent to an ancient Roman Bridge, creating an interesting juxtaposition. “It is a very interesting contrast, the Roman stone bridge and the paper bridge. Paper too can be permanent, can be strong and lasting. We need to get rid of these prejudices,” Ban said.
The cardboard masterpiece will be open for 6 weeks to the public before being dismantled prior to the rainy season.

Nomadic Museum, 2006

Designed by well-known Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, the Nomadic Museum is the permanent home for the art exhibition “Ashes and Snow,” by Gregory Colbert. Built from 152 stacked shipping containers, the building forms a central walkway for viewing the artwork, suspended on either side.
Through May 14th, the exhibit will be located on the Santa Monica Pier, having previously opened in Venice, and then in the first Nomadic Museum at Pier 54 on the Hudson River. Truly “nomadic,” the museum was designed to be disassembled and reconfigured to house the traveling exhibit. The shipping containers not only make up the building module, but evoke the voyage of “Ashes and Snow” as it moves from location to location (the exhibit has no final destination.)

More links and information about Shigeru Ban's work at Inhabit, here: http://inhabitat.com/shigeru-bans-cardboard-bridge/

2. Ann Weber

3. Ana Serrano
http://www.anaserrano.com/index.php?/info/about/

Ana Serrano is a first generation Mexican American born in
Los Angeles, California in 1983. Inspired by both of the cultural
contexts in her life, she creates work utilizing a variety of
mediums including drawing, collage, sculpture, and motion.
Her work bears reference to those in low socioeconomic positions,
with particular interest in the customs and beliefs, as well
as the architecture, fashion, and informal economies present
within this segment of society. A current theme explored in her
work is the socio-cultural aspects of drug trafficking, and the
branding and acceptance of the drug lord lifestyle. She is a
recent graduate of Art Center College of Design and currently
resides in Los Angeles, California. (from her website, see link above)