Panel Discussion at The University of Chicago’s Place Lab
Sierralta moderates "Intentions & Provocations in Design" discussion at Place Lab, part of the University of Chicago’s Arts + Public Life initiative directed by artist Theaster Gates.
Karla Sierralta was invited to lead a conversation about public design and the planning process to kickoff the opening of the "Forms of Imagination" exhibition at the Arts Incubator, co-curated by Paola Aguirre and Tempestt Hazel, featuring works by Mikel Patrick Avery, Andrew Moddrell, Carlos Rolón/Dzine and architect Dave Walker.
“It is clearer than ever the capacity that arts, culture and design content have to be transformative when they extend beyond building walls. The future of creative placemaking won’t be either-or, but both: It is as important to continue creating defined and permanent spaces for cultural production as it is to continue exploring opportunities in the public realm to amplify public life of the community.”
PLACE LAB
Located in the Washington Park neighborhood, the Place Lab is housed in the University of Chicago's Arts Incubator.
Place Lab is a joint collaboration between Arts + Public Life, an initiative of UChicago Arts, and the Harris School of Public Policy that acts as a "catalyst for mindful urban transformation and creative redevelopment".
The Arts Incubator holds a street-level gallery space, hosts artist-in-residence programs, offers community program space to support both established and emerging artists.
PANEL DISCUSSION
"Intentions and Provocations in Design" was an opening day event for the inaugural 2015 Chicago Architecture Biennial.
The standing room only audience consisted of local residents and Chicago-based artists to visitors drawn by the Chicago Architecture Biennial. Sierralta guided a conversation that afforded the opportunity to publicly discuss the logistics and ramifications of openly collaborating with community members during the design process.
EXHIBITION
"Forms of Imagination" was a process-focused exhibition that realized projects directly with local and global communities.
Artist, Carlos Rolón/Dzine and his studio co-developed a vendor cart with a Garland “Hustleman” Gantt, a local street entrepreneur.
Composer, musician and instrument designer Mikel Patrick Avery collaborated with the design firm PORT Urbanism to design a large scale percussive installation.
Dave Walker, of WALK STUDIO, coordinated solicited design proposals for the adjacent Green Line Arts Center, including designs by Johnston Marklee, Productora, NLÉ, SiO2, Michael Maltzan, Studio Sumo and Sou Fujimoto.
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