"Safari 7 Reading Room," a new exhibition at New York's Studio-X-the downtown-Manhattan extension of Columbia University's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation-examines human transport and biodiversity side-by-side. The project originated as a seminar on urban ecology the Barnard and Columbia Colleges Architecture Program, and was further developed as a series of podcasts and a self-guided tour and map of the 7 train. (Download the podcasts at Safari7.org).In October, the Urban Landscape Lab and MTWTF teamed up with Studio-X, to transform the gallery and research space into a "reading room"-a multimedia installation featuring interactive 3D maps, large-scale graphics, podcasts, and a curated selection of reading materials that encourage New Yorkers to explore the plants and animals around them.The exhibit offers plenty of "only in New York" moments: unexpected sets of animal relations that are endemic to 20th century urbanization and land-use patterns. For example, the unique ecosystems of a large urban cemetery and a tiny vacant lot in Queens are examined alongside a man-made island in the East River constructed out of the rubble of a subway tunnel that now serves as an important bird sanctuary. Elsewhere, falcons prey upon pet chihuahuas in Bryant Park; and in what may be most fitting for a city of immigrants, a weird mix of native and non-native animals alike commingle at Flushing Meadows, the site of the 1939 and 1964 Worlds Fairs.This project offers a transferable, engaging and fun template for investigating a myriad of different cities. Take note, pocket-park rangers and citizen-scientists everywhere."Safari 7 Reading Room" is open through December 31, 2009 at Studio-X New York.It was produced by Janette Kim and Kate Orff, Directors, Urban Landscape Lab, Columbia GSAPP, Glen Cummings, Partner, MTWTF, and Gavin Browning, Programming Coordinator, Studio-X New York.
"Safari 7 Reading Room," a new exhibition at New York's Studio-X-the downtown-Manhattan extension of Columbia University's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation-examines human transport and biodiversity side-by-side. The project originated as a seminar on urban ecology the Barnard and Columbia Colleges Architecture Program, and was further developed as a series of podcasts and a self-guided tour and map of the 7 train. (Download the podcasts at Safari7.org).In October, the Urban Landscape Lab and MTWTF teamed up with Studio-X, to transform the gallery and research space into a "reading room"-a multimedia installation featuring interactive 3D maps, large-scale graphics, podcasts, and a curated selection of reading materials that encourage New Yorkers to explore the plants and animals around them.The exhibit offers plenty of "only in New York" moments: unexpected sets of animal relations that are endemic to 20th century urbanization and land-use patterns. For example, the unique ecosystems of a large urban cemetery and a tiny vacant lot in Queens are examined alongside a man-made island in the East River constructed out of the rubble of a subway tunnel that now serves as an important bird sanctuary. Elsewhere, falcons prey upon pet chihuahuas in Bryant Park; and in what may be most fitting for a city of immigrants, a weird mix of native and non-native animals alike commingle at Flushing Meadows, the site of the 1939 and 1964 Worlds Fairs.This project offers a transferable, engaging and fun template for investigating a myriad of different cities. Take note, pocket-park rangers and citizen-scientists everywhere."Safari 7 Reading Room" is open through December 31, 2009 at Studio-X New York.It was produced by Janette Kim and Kate Orff, Directors, Urban Landscape Lab, Columbia GSAPP, Glen Cummings, Partner, MTWTF, and Gavin Browning, Programming Coordinator, Studio-X New York.