On February 24, 2014 I took the UW students on an architectural journey which allowed them to discover how the notion of remixing and re-appropriating architectural theories and visions resulted in the unintentional creation of the physical, sociological, political and economical environments which not only prompted, but also predicted the birth of hip hop culture. I must note that these were not architectural students, the attendees represented a broad swath of academic programs offered at University of Wisconsin. A number of them are a part of University of Wisconsin's First Wave program, the largest publicly funded hip hop arts program at any institution in the nation. A full-tuition First Wave scholarship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is named after the legendary pioneer for women in hip-hop, MC Lyte! She is an avid supporter of the program, she announced the first scholarship recipient at a BET Awards Show.
Read MoreHave you ever heard people mention the guilty pleasures of Googling oneself? If not, you should try it, its fascinating what comes up in the searches. While Googling myself I found a ton of information about hip hop and architecture but did not expect to find this enthused blogger's response immediately following my Hip Hop Inspired Architecture presentation at the 2012 NOMA Conference in Detroit, Michigan. I feel honored to be used as a vessel to encourage people to increase their involvement in architecture! Hip Hop is so powerful!
Read MoreArtist Stefan Zwicky created a replica of LeCorbusier's chair in a brutalists' fashion. Sleek stainless steel supports have been replaced with thick gauged structural rebar and the once comfortable leather seating now precast concrete. When I view this artist representation, I am immediately called to compare the philosophy behind it's interpretation to that of the architectural interpretations of LeCorbusier's Plan for Paris as it was implemented in the South Bronx in such a brutal way.
Read MoreI've blogged about Ice Cube graduating from technical college during the early days of NWA to become an architectural draftsman, but not until now have I seen an interview where he actually discusses the topic. Take a look at the short clip and enjoy.
Read MoreI just heard that Pharrell will be one of the keynote speakers at the 2014 AIA National Convention in Chicago. Until now, I must admit, I have never had any interest in attending an AIA National Convention but I am going to register for this one immediately. The stage is now being set for a cultural innovation a "Hip Hop Inspired Architecture" which was the title of my graduate thesis at The University of Detroit Mercy, and has been the primary focused of both my academic and professional careers.
Read More"Walk at Your Own Risk" published in Architect Magazine, is very interesting to me, because I constantly speak about architects and planners developing more than the simple physical environments people attribute to our profession. As a whole, we unintentionally shape the subconsciousness and cultural incubators of the inhibitors of our spaces. I challenge all designers, planners, architects etc to make conscious strides towards considering the social implications of their architectural designs and plans on the intended users.
Read MoreHere is an example of material reuse which I always admired, since I first laid eyes on it. You remember the most popular clothing style for the unlucky second, third and even worst for the fourth child, "hand me downs"? "The Rag Chair is designed by Dutch designer Tejo Remy for Droog. Remy creates these one of a kind furniture pieces as individuals send in their old clothes which he then crafts a chair which is held together by black metal straps. Although the "hand me down" clothing line was free to anyone with an older brother or sister and a financially strapped family, the Rag Chair is not for anyone with financial woes nor is it for the frugal at heart. The Rag Chair has a price tag of $3,500 and has a manufacturing time of 8 to 12 weeks.
Read MorePicasso's introduction to the hip hop community during many of Jay Z's lyrics and most notably, his song, "Picasso Baby" is just the latest node in the constant cyclical nature of black artistry merged with mainstream art movements. . Nadeen Pennisi of Palm Beech State College identifies the specific inspirations for Picasso's first work of Cubism, Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, as copper covered reliquary figures from the Bakota (a.k.a. Kota) people of African state of Gabon and masks from the Dan people from the Ivory Coast. If not for Picasso's introduction to African Art, would Cubism exist?
Read More"Like Van Gogh found a catalyst in Japanese art, Picasso came under the spell of African art and used its primitive power to shake off his classicist mannerism that offered no possibilities to innovate."
Read MoreThe Verlan dress is 3d printed by MarkerBot, now commercially available machine. The dress is the final result of the three-week digital fashion workshop held by fashion designer Fransis Bitonti, in New York. The theme of the project was not to design a piece of clothes but to design a method of making form using computers. Students therefore experimented with form-building software and created samples, using 3d printers. The workshop took place at the Digital Arts and Humanities Research Center of the Pratt Institute in New York.
Read More"I grew up here in New York. It's changed," Lee said at Brooklyn's Pratt Institute, an art, design, and architecture school. "And why does it take an influx of white New Yorkers in the South Bronx, in Harlem, in Bed Stuy, in Crown Heights for the facilities to get better? The garbage wasn't picked up every motherfucking day when I was living in 165 Washington Park. ... The police weren't around. When you see white mothers pushing their babies in strollers, three o'clock in the morning on 125th Street, that must tell you something."
Read MoreWill Hip Hop Architecture be so great, that it faces the same dilemmas as its music and apparel, Knock-offs? Its been said that imitation is the highest for of flattery, however, in the case of Zaha Hadid and the Wanging SOHO complex, imitation is appalling.
Read MoreThe detail in these shoes are amazing. Take a look at the images by Shane Griffin who was commissioned by Nike to create the visuals.
Read MoreWe all know the story but do we know it in full?! Eazy-E was invited to the white, but how? One of the innovators of gangsta rap was into the White House with President Bush? Take a look at the video below to see how it all unfolded. I thought about this back when various media outlets expressed outrage over President Obama inviting Common, who was hilariously described as a "gangsta rapper" to the White House a few years ago!
Read MoreThe renderings of modified popular furniture pieces were created by me, from right to left you have, LeCorbusier's Arm Chair, Arne Jacobsen's Swan Chair, Charles and Ray Eames' Lounge Chair and the "Watch The Throne Chair" by BrandNU. Check out my "Making of The Throne" blog series to follow the design and fabrication of the Throne Chair.
Read MoreDan Pitera, gave me my start in architecture. As a student at Cass Technical High School in Detroit, MI, I visited the University of Detroit Mercy's School of Architecture on a field trip. While there, Dan Pitera engaged us high school students in a discussion about The City of Detroit, architecture and what it means to design. It was my first introduction to the depths of architecture philosophy and the revitalizing power within the profession.
Read MoreChris Baker, a student at Ball State University and fellow member of NOMA, National Organization of Minority Architects teamed with Kyle Edwards and received an honorable mention in the Queens Way Connection: Elevating the Public Realm Competition. His inspiration for the design concept and programming organizing principles was hip hop, more specifically Nas' song "One Mic". The program was organized based on the a sonic investigation of "One Mic", and the lyrical content, which preaches positive rebellion against suppressive systems, rather cultural, social or economical. In Chris' case the limiting system was the physical site for the architectural competition. He describes it as rigid, nauseatingly rhythmic, and linear.
Read MoreThe Z is a parking garage in downtown Detroit, and it's not just the name that makes it stand out. The 10-story garage has a 3-D-style facade and the garage gallery includes the work of 27 international artists, including Maya Hayuk, Interesni Kazki, Cyrcle, Sam Friedman, Augustine Kofie, Dabs Myla, Smash 137, Gaia, Pose and Revok, just to name a few. Many of the artists come from a street art or contemporary art background that reflects the gallery’s aesthetic. “The project pretty much encapsulates the building that we’re in,” said Anthony Curis of the Library Street Collective. “It’s a very nontraditional space, but Detroit is a very nontraditional city.”
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