Taking a walk around the Northside between the austere brick buildings and the quiet sidewalks on a grey Pittsburgh day, you notice that the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh shines. It’s clearly a place full of life—you feel it even before entering—where an inclusive environment unfolds ideas and experiences to help visitors better understand our world. It’s a place for kid's to grow, take leaps, and grow some more—and where even adults can be reminded about how learning can be fun and spontaneous. When we think about the CMP, we think exciting, sensory, and meaningful—a place to make and learn in some of the most inspiring spaces in Pittsburgh.
A+L was hired by CMP without a specific project in mind. Not wanting to upset what's working, but having an inkling about what could make things better, Arscott + Liadis analyzed the existing space and collaborated with museum staff to develop a series of projects that improve the lobby's function for ALL of the inhabitants.
The immediate project includes:
\\ modification of the existing RAMP - materials, light, axis
\\ FRONT DESK rehab and relocation - orientation, ergonomics
\\ suspended POETIC SIGNAGE - multimedia, kinetic, filmic
\\ expressive and functional ACOUSTIC SYSTEM - dynamic, experiential
Located in the annex building of the Mattress Factory Museum in Pittsburgh, Gestures: Intimate Friction was a multidisciplinary show with local artists and designers who were prompted to make installation artworks around the theme of Intimate Friction. Curated by Mary-Lou Arscott, the works in this show endeavored to give a meaningful presence to an old residential building (now used as a gallery). By creating engaging works between it and visitors, the proximity between them revealed a world not static, but one inclusive of the qualities that make architecture something more than merely visual. This idea was examined by all of the artists through Mary-Lou's workshops and constant search for the definition of architecture.
Participating artists include: Nina Marie Barbuto, Dee Briggs, Nick Durrant, Jeremy Ficca, Pablo Garcia, Jenn Gooch, Ling He, Matt Huber, Nick Liadis, Transformazium, Gill Wildman, and Spike Wolff.
Old buildings have a story. The Polish Hill residence is a renovation project that seeks to give an expressive voice to an old building. It now speaks of patina and texture, context and place, and old and new. Prodding a line that emphasizes neither the past or the future, it's situated precisely in the moment. To host the intricacies of life: work, play, and a damn good party.
Photo credit: Mark Knobil
Chickens was the first production of Hatch Arts Collective, and had its world premiere in June 2013 at Fe Gallery in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville neighborhood. The play was written by Paul Kruse, directed by Adil Mansoor, and produced by Nicole Shero. Each performance sold out, kickstarting Hatch’s reputation for cross-disciplinary theatre around contemporary issues. Nick designed the set—which doubled as an installation piece during regular gallery hours—and assisted in its construction.
