on top of the world

Images by Reio Avaste

Yet another inspiring outdoor public structure, this time by architect Tetsuo Kondo for last year's European Capital of Culture's festivites in Tallin.  The architect was invited to create this temporary installation, called A Path in the Forest.  Situated in the city's main park and made from steel pipe and sheet steel, this is what Kondo had to say about it.

Nature and structure treated as equals in an all-inclusive approach: we think of them not as in confrontation, not as part of each other. We are not building a structure in this environment but trying to renew it, to create an even more beautiful environment.

Shame that it was only there for a few months, I would have liked to have put Estonia on my 'short break' list for this year!  It reminds me a little of the aerial walkways in the glasshouses at Kew, there's something quite special about being so far off the ground and wandering around in the treetops.  A whole new spin on nature. 

Loom-Hyperbolic

Images courtesy of  Johannes Foerster

I've been thinking about Loom-Hyperbolic ever since I tweeted about it so time to expand on the blog with more images.  Installed in the ruins of the Mosque Koutoubia for the Higher Atlas exhibition 2012 you can see it in central Marrakesh until June 3rd.  Referencing traditional Moroccan weaving and looms and using local materials like hand-cut pine poles and yarn it was constructed using modern software programs, bringing old and new together in a stunning setting.  As with any public art installation you can walk through and among the 'tents' or view it from above so I imagine the connection to the site feels strong.  Having been to Marrakech it instantly reminds me of the dyers souk but it also seems other-worldly and remote.  Really good work and well done to Barkow Leibinger Architects.