Architectural installation presents TOPO Dialogue

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Contact:
Hongtao Zhou, 808-956-2859
Assistant Professor, School of Architecture
Posted: Feb 13, 2015

Cardboard TOPO
Cardboard TOPO
Textscape of Central Park in NYC
Textscape of Central Park in NYC
Textscape of Central Park in NYC
Textscape of Central Park in NYC

There are unusual architectural elements taking space in the Haigo and Irene Shen Architecture Gallery at UH Mānoa's School of Architecture. The exhibit, called "TOPO Dialogue," feature giant topography, or TOPOs, of recycled cardboards, paper-sized landscapes of text from 3D printers, as well as gray photography of Hawaiʻi’s skyline.

These pieces aim to generate awareness and dialogue about land, architecture, new technology and Hawaiʻi's beauty in the current technological world we live in.

Section 1 Topo focuses on island landscape that is located in water, unfolding the unique location and challenges we are facing such as sea level rise, importing and food storage issues. Also, tens of thousands of items are shipped to us in boxes each day. The topo on the wall shows a real world depiction of a cardboxscape situation we're living in. 

Section 2 Textscapes use 3D printed letters to create actual cityscapes, taking words and letters and giving them life off of the page, as lively as the cities they represent. This project includes pieces in braille, different language characters, calligraphies and number systems to bridge the text and its visuality in architecture, landscape, portraits and abstract matters. 

Section 3 Horizontal Memorial reminds us of the reality of Hawaiʻi’s unique landscape and the extreme beauty that does exist in the vast Pacific Ocean.

This exhibition is curated and executed by UH Manoa Assistant Professor Hongtao Zhou and students from his class, Arch 490: Architectural Installation and Exhibition Design. The three leading student artists are Carmela Arcenas, Tyler Francisco and Elijah Lee. Many architecture students have contributed to this exhibition. They are: Alice Sandstrom, Sven Bradley, Jesse Francisco, Elena Lekhter, Jeff (Chin Fang Chen), Rhealyn Dalere, Ramir Belmes, Danalli Ignacio, Jonathan Quach, Branden Annino, Eva Janina Constantino, Austen Dabboul, Jason Hashimoto, Rubinson Intong, Junho Jin, Carah Kadota, Joseph Kim, Matthew Saito, Siraj Sheriff, Kris Hazen Tabaquin, Marissa Tamura.  

This exhibition will run from now through February 27, with a closing reception that night at 7:30 p.m. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.,

 

For more information, visit: http://www.arch.hawaii.edu/pdf/newsrelease/TOPO_Dialogue.pdf