Extra Credit Event #1: Lauren Bon and Metabolic Studio
I was very
skeptical when I first laid eyes upon the exhibit as it seemed quite uninviting
and subtle vibrating sound echoes around. The room was pitched black with only
a tiny gleam of light shining down from the middle of the ceiling. In the
middle of the relatively empty space, there was a big piece of drapery dangling
from the ceiling, surround the source of light. Upon a closer look, there’s
also a bowl of water close to the ceiling.
The
Catch, a sound work developed by Lauren Bon is a model for larger-scale
installation that will be built at Bon’s Metabolic Studio in downtown Los
Angeles. Created by the environmentally conscious studio, the project aims to diverts
water from the Los Angeles River to a publicly accessible bio-remediation
gardens on the roof of the Metabolic Studio building. This way, water that
would be otherwise bypassed would be captured for the benefit of those in need.
Instead of the bass-like drone that vibrates the water in the Hammer museum
exhibition, the equivalent effect at the actual installation will be created by
the impact of the buckets of waterwheel filling with water.
Although I
found this installation to be quite strange initially, my interest peaked after
doing some research on the project. On one hand, the model at Hammer museum is
very similar to the designs displayed at the
Heatherwick exhibition. Both exhibitions embodies the concept of
practicality while being aesthetically pleasing to the eye. On the other hand,
much like the singular space exhibition in Fowler Museum at UCLA, this
installation also factors our daily life into the account of the art project.
Aside from being an optic and sonic piece, it creates a connection with the
local geography. Due to the nature of Los Angele’s climate and recent concern
of drought, this installation makes an excellent public manifestation as it
brings awareness to our current events, benefits the larger society while
allowing us to appreciate the beauty of art.