The Work of Deborah Pinto Fdeda
*Thank you to Dana Elkis for sharing Deborah’s work with me!
Deborah’s work is really really interesting:
Playground made in the courtyard of the Youth Wing for Art Education at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem
This structure is really interesting. And maybe more interesting to me, is the opportunity Deborah had here to build a playground in the (outdoor) heart of a museum!
The things that stick out to me are that there are a lot of hard surfaces and not that many natural elements. Although the tree as a central foundation to the building is really interesting and beautiful. The second thing that sticks out is that this is such a beautiful and elegant playground. I really love that the structure is almost completely built from wood. And the “inside”/”outside” space that the huge window provides is interesting. I wonder if users like having the ability to watch and be watched, or if they would rather have more privacy?
.. That question makes me think about spy glasses! That would be very fun to work with!
These hills are really exciting. I’ve been thinking ground surfaces lately. Spacial design deals so much with walls and with ceilings, but does deal with floors very much. The examples of project that deal with floors that have been inspiring to me are:
Alex Da Corte “Free Roses” MassMoca
TeamLab “Borderless”
Both of these projects utilize the visitor’s relationship with the ground. When I saw “Free Roses” I was so struck by how effective the use of the carpet was. It completely transformed the experience of the space. Suddenly there was an “inside” and an “outside”. And I could feel it on my feet. Sometimes there is no need to build walls to indicate separation of space. You can make interventions and additions that are much more subtle and keep the line of site clear and open.
I haven’t seen any TeamLab project, but I have been intrigued by there use of indoor hills! I think having a change of vantige point would be very interesting. You would have the chance to “surveil” you fellow visitors, and also experience the light installations.
My critique for both the TeamLab project and Deborah’s is that the hills feel very sudden. I would imagine that running up and down them feels tight, more like a roller coaster than an actual (natural) hill. I have lots more thoughts about the wonders of installed hills! To come another time.
I think this window (reflection space) is a really nice idea… But I think in a public space, like a museum courtyard, it wouldn’t feel very private. Instead it would act more as a way to see in and see out.
Another project that I found really interesting is this one.
This project is really interesting. I love that it is both a build environment and one that is meant to be taken apart and rebuilt. Something else that is interesting is that each of the pieces seems quite large. I think smaller kids would need to collaborate with others to pick up the pieces and move them to the desired location. These pieces would feel so interactive and architectural.
I wonder if kids would build similar shapes with them every time, or if they are open ended enough to be used in many different ways?
Thanks so much Deborah for this really interesting work! Its bringing up a lot of connections and questions for me. Im excited to keep looking through their (pronouns?) work!