Last week, the Uni made several appearances at the New Museum’s IDEAS CITY.
First, architect J. Meejin Yoon talked about the Uni design at “Ad Hoc Strategies.” Then, Sam and I attended the Audi Urban Future Initiative luncheon and heard Columbia University’s five hypotheses for cities in 2050. (Think Uni: “transgenerational capacity,” “mobility,” and “generosity.”) We then presented the Uni at a panel curated by Kickstarter and miLES (Made in the Lower East Side).
Amazing book donated by Museum of Chinese in America. When you put something delicate in public space, people feel respected by that choice, and they give respect (to the book and to the Uni).
Finally, we deployed the Uni on a closed-off street as part of IDEAS CITY StreetFest with help from volunteers Leigh, Emily, Angela, Pascale, and 9-yr old Miles. We tested some wonderful new cubes. Columbia University gradate student and educator Andrew Collins showed us ants. Seattle-based science writer and museum exhibit developer Winifred Kehl explained geologic time scale. Artist Lisa Bateman showed us some of the oldest books in public circulation in the New York area, drawing our attention to physical books that are disappearing. Special thanks to Andrew for guiding patrons on the scope and to Lisa for stopping by.
Here are the photos (captions by Sam):
En route to festival, Uni passes NYPD Queens Mobile Command Center. Tactical approach.
Biologist Andrew Collins gets things rolling with the new ant cube. Microscope!
I’m making a mental note here: raise funds and help Andrew reach neighborhoods all across NYC.
The cross-legged posture of an experienced reader who needs no table to read. Role model.
First time on the street for beautiful book on biodiversity, “One Cubic Foot,” by David Liittschwager.
This amazing pop-up book from Paris will be in the hands of New Yorkers all summer.
Our goal: make a place where NYC kids can actually hold a book like this.
Solved! Nice work.
NYC artist Lisa Bateman curated a cube gathering some of the oldest books in circulation in the New York Area.
New cube about geologic time scale created by Winifred Kehl, a science writer and museum exhibit developer.
Volunteer Emily keeps an eye on patron’s bike.
Volunteers Leigh and Emily take a break in the sun.
Patron on right is reading: “Man who Walked Between the Towers.”
Sun sets on the Uni. Load out, and three new deployments next week. Thanks all.