ONE Lab 2012

Terreform ONE's team recently announced ONE LAB 2011: Future Cities.  The four week lab in Brooklyn will be a densely programmed 'socio-ecological exploration of the next metropolis'. 

 In the words of the organizers, the ONE*Lab profile:

 "

ONE Lab Summer 2012 on Future Cities will address the emerging discipline of global urbaneering by assembling a wide range of innovators from fields as diverse as, architecture, material science, urban design, biology, civil engineering and media art. 

ONE Lab is designed for students who wish to engage with the crossover of design and science.

This summer approximately 40 researchers will gather in New York City for 4 weeks of intense creative and scientific exploration. ONE Lab provides a unique opportunity for students to learn from internationally recognized scientists and renown designers and artists: Dr. Janna Levin, Dr. Nina Tandon, Dr. Dickson D. Despommier, Vito Acconci, Natalie Jeremijenko, Marc Forens and a host of TED Fellows.

ONE Lab consists of Design Studio, Future Cities Seminar and Future Cities Workshops. The studio will be offered in two levels - one for professional designers and students enrolled in professional schools or departments of design; one for students and individuals of various experience and background. All workshops are beginner level and no previous knowledge or experience is required."

Please find further details on program, people, tuition and application on onelab,org.  

Warchild Revisit

The child meanwhile lost it's heart, taken away by some stranger. Outline and background are still there and a whole texture can be imagined. Beautiful are the ghost-like small figurines sprayed with stencil as they appear to fade away.

Pissed-Off Christmas Tree

This year's wastemas investigation has been rather limited but I nevertheless kept my selective perception for discarded Christmas trees. This one was a nice observation reflecting the often brutal fate of Christmas trees after they have enriched our homey celebrations.
It is interesting to see that others are also concerned with discarded Christmas trees, such as Brooklyn based artist Michael Neff with his installation of hanging orphaned Christmas trees under the BQE.

Urban Agriculture at the Brookly Grange Rooftop Farm

'Warchild' Streetart Project in Bushwick

"A child's silhouette is shaped out of war toys owned and played by the artists during their childhood. The earth's continents are made up of a toy battlefield.
Society is programming war into its youngest. Children are involved and suffer from numerous armed conflicts all over the world. War, a playful game or deadly reality? Some kids play in safety with war toys, while others, in less fortunate situations, may be taught to become child-soldiers or fall victim to the brutal face of war.
Instead of playing with war toys, children should be supported in becoming more tolerant to proliferate peace and understanding within a global society. In Mahatma Ghandi's words: “If we wish to create a lasting peace we must begin with the children”.
See also: meinwe

Wastemas in Brooklyn

Niche Flushing Meadows Corona Park

The Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn

The Gowanus canal in Brooklyn is an interesting site of future ecological cleanup and urban development. Like in many other places in Brooklyn you can sense the upcoming getrification and follow the ongoing construction processes. As the Gowanus canal has recently become a superfund site, there is lots of activity going on. For projects and activities along the Gowanus canal see also the site of the Gowanus Canal Community Development Corporation.
This will be the first entry of an exploration into this area. I was cycling there yesterday and got some impression about the urban fabric along the canal between 3rd street and butler street.

Niches in Brooklyn

Hop (Humulus lupulus)

Red oak (Quercus rubra).