storm from the east

Brazil’s Girrasol Building wins MIPIM AR Future Project Awards

A distinctive residential block formed by unevenly cascading levels situated on a sloping topography in São Paulo, has been named the Overall Winner in the 10 annual MIPIM Architectural Review Future Project Awards.

Toyota Dream Car Art Contest

There are only a few days left for entries for the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest.

The world contest will be judged in March and winners will get to come to Japan, so get your entries in by January 31.

Full details (in English) can be found here on the Toyota Global Dream Car Art Contest website.

Ken Lum at Misa Shin Gallery, Tokyo

A solo show by Ken LUM, “2000s to Present”, opened yesterday at Misa Shin Gallery and will run until 3 March 2012.

Lum, born in 1956, is an internationally active artist based in Vancouver. His work approaches everyday social strictures with a critical eye and an ironic sense of humor, traversing a wide variety of media that includes photography, sculpture, painting and installation.

Lum’s art is concerned with the ways in which identity formation intersects with society’s transformation. This focus is deeply connected to his birth to Chinese immigrant parents in Vancouver, a city of numerous ethnic groups.

In his works which use the visual language of public signage, billboards, logos and the mass media, he aims to demystify the tensions and contradictions of living in an increasingly globalizing world. His chosen approach continues to question the very nature of culture in contemporary society, by dismantling pleasant phrasings and blurring the boundaries between high art and popular culture.

Well worth a visit if you're in Tokyo: http://www.misashin.com/

Monika Drożyńska: Po słowie / A word each

A Word Each is an exhibition in process. This exhibition will consist
of elements of three projects previously concurrently realised by
Monika Drożyńska along with the work Między słowami (In-Between Words)
created during the exhibition in Bunkier Sztuki with the active
participation of the public.

A Word Each links and at the same time
culminates the artist's prior projects, emphasising the key role of
third parties in her artistic productions.
The formula of the exhibition assumes that the finissage (Friday, November 25th, 6 pm) will be the first day of the complete exhibition - when it will be possible to listen to and discover In-Between Words for yourself.

Exhibition curator: Karolina Harazim
Exhibition co-ordinator: Bartłomiej Zakrzewski

PLEASE NOTE: All those wishing to take part in the process of creation of the In-Between Words project by Monika Drożyńska on Saturdays: October 22nd and 29th and November 5th please contact:
zakrzewski@bunkier.art.pl (Mon - Fri, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.)

http://bunkier.art.pl/

http://www.monika.drozynska.pl/

Major themes announced for WAF 2011

Spotlight on ‘making a difference’ and ‘responding to disaster’

In the aftermath of recent disasters in Haiti, Christchurch and Japan, countless organisations are contributing to the relief and recovery with architects and designers playing a key role. Major themes that examine ‘response and repair’ plus ‘recovery and rethink’ and the ways that architects can make a difference will form the basis for this year’s exhibition and seminar programme the World Architecture Festival (WAF) 2011 from 2^nd to 4^th November in Barcelona.

Taking the stage will be 35 inspirational speakers including Sou Fujimoto, Principal of Sou Fujimoto Architects, David Mackay, Founding Principal, MBM Architects, Akihiko Hamanda, Senior Executive Officer and Head of International Design, Nikken Sekkie, James Grose, Nationals Director at BVN Architecture, Michael Rayner, Principal, Cox Rayner Architects, Board member, Queensland Smart State Council and Professor of Architecture, University of Queensland, Sangay Puri, Principal of Sanjay Puri Architects, Pauline Nee, Associate Head of Historic Buildings and John McAslan and Partners among others. 

These leading figures will discuss issues confronting architecture practices, using examples and best practice from Japan, Christchurch, Chile, Brisbane and New Orleans. They will focus on how the architecture community has spearheaded responses to natural disasters and how to ensure such significant levels of damage can be avoided in the future.

Discussions will review what expertise architects can offer to support post-disaster damage assessments to improve structures, re-think land use, and review new approaches to materials and products.

http://www.worldarchitecturefestival.com/