Double Perspective Bench

Critics: Ben Pell and John Eberhart

Spring 2014

 

Program: Spatial reorganization through a digitally fabricated installation

 

Description: The site for the installation is a point where two theatrical moments converge.  The first moment is a view from the 7th floor review space out a full glass wall onto the roof patio & to New Haven’s skyline beyond.  The second moment is the opening of the entrance onto the roof patio from the side.  From the first moment, the installation acts as a member of the skyline, a massive solid with small square holes at the same scale as the distant windows.  These holes are punched in an array converging on a perspectival point in the review space.  As the installation blends into the skyline, people standing on the roof patio appear to be playing amongst the towers.  From the second moment, the bench becomes almost invisible.   All the planar construction components are angled to show only their edges from the perspectival convergence point at the entrance door.  Entering the roof patio, the new visitor is able to see all the people already out on the benches.  The benches create a dynamic theater between personal & urban visual interactions.     

 

Team: Thomas Friddle, Meghan Lewis, & Hank Mezza