Video: Three Little Worlds
Chicago-based architecture practice Bureau Spectacular has converted The Architecture Foundation’s Project Space into a pop-up living space and installation made up of a graphic sequence of imaginary worlds entitled Three Little Worlds (we featured the project as a kickstarter). Jimenez Lai, the architecture practice’s founder, shows us around the space, where he has set camp, something which he has done before having lived and worked in a desert shelter in Taliesen and resided in a shipping container at Atelier Van Lieshout on the piers of Rotterdam. Here, he tells Crane.tv about his love of comics and cartoon, which is apparent in his installation and the interchangeable realities of the spectator and the performer, and demonstrates how to navigate his “giant comic book.” Three Little Worlds runs till 25 August at The Architecture Foundation.
A Bureau Spectacular spectacular, one week from today!
One week from today, Chicago-based architecture practice Bureau Spectacular will transforms The Architecture Foundation’s Project Space into an inhabitable installation and a graphic sequence of imaginary worlds, through the studio’s trademark mixture of built structure and cartoon. Founded by emerging architect Jimenez Lai in 2008, Bureau Spectacular is a studio of architectural affairs, who describe their strategy as one of making “absurd stories about fake realities that invite enticing possibilities”. Fascinated by the interplay between storytelling and building, absurdity and speculation, Bureau Spectacular weave architectural design and theory into comic strips that pop from the page into the real world as installations and small buildings.
Jimenez Lai: “This installation – Three Little Worlds – is a cartoonish blow up of a fragment inside the Cartoonish Metropolis. It is a comic book someone can walk into, a window into another reality.”
Continue after the break to learn more.
Only 6 hours left to help fund Jimenez Lai’s Hefner/Beuys House!
Last month we shared with you Jimenez Lai’s vision to transform the Architecture Foundation’s Project Space in London with a cartoonish architectural installation of Super Furniture inspired by the exhibitionism of Hugh Hefner with the live-art of Joseph Beuys. As his first solo exhibition outside of North America, the Chicago-based architect plans to inhabit the Hefner/Beuys House for a few weeks, acting as a 1:1 comic book that people can literally become a part of. You may remember his past projects of the Super-Furniture Series, including the Briefcase House, which he has continued to live in for the past three years, and White Elephant (Privately Soft).
These previous installations were wildly popular, stimulating the imagination of those from across the globe, and there is no doubt the Hefner/Beuys House will do the same. Jimenez Lai is just shy of reaching his funding goal on Kickstarter. With less than 6 hours remaining on the campaign, the time to act is now. Follow this link to help fund Jimenez Lai’s latest Super Furniture project today! In return, you will receive some pretty sweet collectables.
Kickstarter: Hefner/Beuys House / Jimenez Lai
Saturday, we shared with you Bureau Spectacular founder Jimenez Lai’s contribution to the University of Michigan’s Taubman College lecture series, focusing on what the genre of installation can offer architectural practice. Fascinated by experimental architecture, storytelling, cartoons and the pursuit of alternate realities, Lai’s latest performance-based architectural installation has made it to Kickstarter. It is up to you whether or not Lai will get the chance to transform the Architecture Foundation’s Project Space in London with a cartoonish architectural installation of Super Furniture – “a building that is slightly too small and a furniture that is kind of too big” – inspired by the exhibitionism of Hugh Hefner with the live-art of Joseph Beuys.
As his first solo exhibition outside of North America, the Chicago-based architect will inhabit the Hefner/Beuys House for a few weeks, acting as a 1:1 comic book that people can literally become a part of. You may remember his past projects of the Super-Furniture Series, including the Briefcase House, which he has continued to live in for the past three years, and White Elephant (Privately Soft). His previous installations have been wildly popular, stimulating the imagination of those from across the globe, and there is no doubt the Hefner/Beuys House will do the same.
All funds will go towards construction of the installation, which includes labor, material and transportation. Find more information and donate here on Kickstarter!
Lecture: Jimenez Lai of Bureau Spectacular
Known as an architect, artist and cartoonist, Jimenez Lai has lectured on and exhibited his work nationally and internationally. He is known for his imaginative cartoon narratives and architectural installations. He is the founder of Bureau Spectacular and currently an assistant professor at University of Illinois at Chicago. His graphic novel, Citizens of No Place, will be published by the Princeton Architectural Press with a grant from the Graham Foundation this year.
Check out his past installations, previously featured here on ArchDaily.
