Charlotte Taylor creates NFT of OMA-designed underwater sculpture for Miami Beach

Visualisation artists Charlotte Taylor and Nicholas Préaud have created an NFT artwork based on an OMA-designed sculpture that will form part of an underwater park near Miami Beach.

Taylor and Préaud's video artwork is focused on a sculpture named Coral Arena that was designed by Shohei Shigematsu, who heads architecture studio OMA's New York office.

The piece was sold as an NFT to help promote the ReefLine sculpture park, which is set to be built off the coast of Miami Beach and was also designed by OMA. A physical version of the sculpture will form part of the underwater park.

The video shows the sculpture being displayed in a museum, before being immersed in the sea and covered in coral.

Charlotte Taylor and Nicholas Préaud have created three artworks based on an OMA-designed sculpture

"The NFT is meant to depict the unique nature of the ReefLine sculpture," OMA told Dezeen. "It would at first appear to be more appropriate or fitting in a museum, so the video begins with the sculpture displayed as a static piece of artwork in a scaleless, white box setting."

"As the film transitions to the underwater deployment of the sculpture, we hope that people understand that this is the true purpose of the sculpture, whose physical twin will be placed underwater off the coast of Miami Beach," explained OMA.

"The sculpture is a piece of resilient infrastructure as much as it is a formal object. The form will encourage coral reef growth, creating a new aquatic ecosystem that helps to protect the coastline."

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Taylor and Préaud collaborated with OMA to create three artworks to be sold as NFTs. Alongside the video, two stills were created.

The first, named Coral Arena/2021, shows the sculpture in a fictional gallery, and the second, named Coral Arena/2031, shows the piece after it has been sunk in the ocean for ten years as part of the sculpture park.

The pieces were created to draw attention to the positive environmental impact of the project.

The video visualises the artwork after it has been underwater for 10 years

"With the built environment expanding at an exponential rate, we wanted to highlight the projects within this quota that give back to the environment," Taylor told Dezeen.

"OMA's structure for the Reefline project is one of these poignant projects; rebuilding an ecosystem and redefining the coastline of Miami," she continued.

"The structure itself is a sculptural masterpiece yet it has very modest purpose; architecture not for the masses but for the aquatic ecosystem. We hope to convey this humble monument and its very meaningful impact though following its journey."

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OMA designs underwater sculpture park The ReefLine for Miami Beach

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"This 35 second short film is an essay both on the architectural and environmental aspects of this project," Préaud told Dezeen.

"It builds up in intensity to the point where the structure is barely recognizable, and nature has taken its rights back."

The Coral Arena sculpture will be formed from nine spiral staircases arranged around a central core. It will be installed as part of the sculpture park, which is currently under construction.

"Our sculpture explores the nature of weightlessness underwater – the stair, a rudimentary architecture element suggestive of directionality and movement, is taken out of its usual context and transformed into an underwater folly," OMA said.

"Like the circular formation of the atoll, the series of sinuous spiral stairs create a three-dimensional structure reminiscent of marine life," it continued.

"The organic form provides layered zones for coral reef growth and interstitial spaces for unique underwater experiences. The stairs rotate around a central forum for underwater gathering and activities."

Alongside OMA's sculpture, the park will contain pieces from multiple designers including Argentinian conceptual artist Leandro Erlich. He will create an underwater version of his Order of Importance traffic jam installation, which was originally made of sand and installed on Miami Beach.

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#all #design #usa #oma #sculptures #miamibeach #underwaterarchitecture #nfts #charlottetaylor

Andrés Reisinger, Space Popular, Amber Slooten and Charlotte Taylor discuss how "the virtual world and the real world will integrate"

This video of Dezeen Club's first metaverse meet-up on 7 April features speakers Space Popular, Andrés Reisinger, Amber Jae Slooten and Charlotte Taylor discussing the rise of virtual worlds.

Over 200 attendees represented by avatars joined the meet-up, held at a virtual rooftop bar hosted in spatial video-chat platform Gather.

The event was organised to explore the idea of the metaverse, which is the emerging digital universe where people can experience a parallel life to their real-world existence.

At the event, speakers discussed topics including the rise of cryptocurrencies and NFTs that allow people to trade digital goods, and the impact of the metaverse on the human mind and body.

The Dezeen Club event saw speakers address an audience of over 200 avatars

"The virtual world and the real world will integrate," said Slooten, founder of virtual fashion studio The Fabricant. "For me, that is a very interesting part. Where does my physical body end and where does the digital body begin?"

"The next step would be to really start to challenge the way that we occupy a body at all," added Hellberg, whose studio Space Popular recently designed a venue for the first-ever architecture conference held in virtual reality.

"In VR if you have a tail, for instance, it takes only a few minutes before your body gets used to having a tail, which means that you'll very soon get ready for having another arm and then all sorts of other body-related things."

The metaverse can potentially dissolve the boundaries between the human body, fashion and architecture, Hellberg said.

A digital-only garment designed for the metaverse, created by The Fabricant fashion studio

The panel also discussed how NFT auctions are offering designers a new business model by allowing them to sell virtual furniture, clothes and buildings.

Slooten‘s fashion house The Fabricant designs digital-only clothing for virtual bodies to wear and pioneered the first digital-only garment, which sold as an NFT for $90,500.

Reisinger, a designer who recently held an NFT furniture auction that netted more than $450,000, explained how virtual objects can become more valuable than their physical counterparts.

"Digital has quite a few qualities that are verifiable such as scarcity and traceability," he said, noting that the virtual model of his Hortensia chair is worth more than the physical version.

Reisinger addressed concerns about the environmental impact of the NFT market, drawing attention to disproportionate lack of scrutiny applied to established markets.

"The ecological impact that NFT processes generate are insignificant compared to the damage that the current banking system is causing to the environment," he said.

Andrés Reisinger's Hortensia Chair NFT went viral on social media.

The speakers were optimistic about the growing role that NFTs and virtual spaces are playing in the design world.

"We are not escaping from reality," said Reisinger. "We are just expanding our consciousness into this digital realm."

Slooten expressed hope that new virtual forms could revolutionise how we connect to others. "To me, this feels like a new interconnected web that will create more of a world-centric view, rather than an egocentric view," she said.

Lesmes summarised the timeliness of the discussion, stating: "love it or hate it, if you are not a part of it, then you'll be late."

Space Popular designed the world's first VR architecture conference in 2020

Dezeen Clubis a response to the fact that people are missing the social contact and chance encounters of real-world events as a result of the pandemic.

The club, which will initially be invitation-only, will give members access to enhanced functionality on Dezeen's websites as well as access to VIP events in both cyberspace and the real world. For more details, email [email protected].

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#vrar #all #talks #videos #spacepopular #thefabricant #andrésreisinger #virtualarchitectureanddesign #nfts #charlottetaylor

"Why can't the virtual spaces be less representational of the real world?" asks commenter

In this week's comments update, readers are debating a range of capsules containing fantasy architecture projects and sharing their views on other top stories.

Digital designer Anthony Authié of Zyva Studio and visualisation artist Charlotte Taylor have collaborated on a range of capsules containing fantasy architecture projects.

The collectable capsules contain visuals and files of virtual projects the duo have produced over the last few years including Villa Ortizet and Neo-Chemosphere, two fictional dwellings the duo worked on together.

"Can't they see the irony in this?"

Some readers aren't convinced. "Go outside," said Jb.

Miles Teg continued: "Are they actually saying the 'virtual' world is taking over, whilst designing a physical device? A capsule thing just to show some renders? Can't they see the irony in this?"

"If the real world is being taken over by the virtual then why can't the spaces be less representational of the real world and more exploitive of the virtual?" asked Puzzello.

Corporate Overlords was more positive: "I like it. It's a great business idea and it's fun. Perfect for industrialised countries that no longer make anything but hot air."

Are commenters missing the point? Join the discussion ›

Secret proposal for "Even Higher Line" on top of New York's High Line revealed

"I was about to freak" says reader

Commenters have plenty to say about fictional plans for a new pedestrian walkway on top of the High Line in New York. Dezeen published the story on April Fool's Day.

"I was about to freak," said Yethica. "And then I realised what day it was."

"Before commenting check the date," added Speed.

"This concept is the bastard child of April Fool's day and Monty Python," concluded M. "C'est adorable!"

Did you fall for "The Even Higher Line"? Join the discussion ›

SMAR Architecture Studio designs swaying light-up tower for Silicon Valley

"A 21st century cathedral" says commenter

Readers are discussing a viewpoint in San José, California, which SMAR Architecture Studio has designed with rods that will sway in the wind and generate the power to light themselves.

"Congrats! It is beautiful," said Brian Salvatierra, "but this is similar to the Taiwan tower of Sou Fujimoto."

"A 21st century cathedral," added Rob Weeve.

Zea Newland was less keen: "In Silicon Valley people prefer LED lights over actual stars it seems."

What do you think of Breeze of Innovation? Join the discussion ›

Phillips Tracey squeezes brick-clad Jupp House onto site of a former garage

"Beautiful small house" says reader

Commenters are impressed by Phillips Tracey Architects' design for a compact black-brick house in west London. The building references a pair of garages across the street.

"Compact, efficient program," said B. "Well designed, interesting and on a budget! Well done."

Leo agreed: "Beautiful small house. I just think the position of the sofa, facing the wall, is a bit awkward. But I would move in any time."

"Very nice, down to earth project with some refreshing play of roof line," added Milton Welch.

Are you a fan of Jupp House? Join the discussion ›

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Dezeen is the world's most commented architecture and design magazine, receiving thousands of comments each month from readers. Keep up to date on the latest discussions on our comments page.

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"The virtual world is taking over the real world," says virtual designer Anthony Authié of Zyva Studio

Digital designer Anthony Authié of Zyva Studio and visualisation artist Charlotte Taylor and have collaborated on an NFT auction of Architoys, a range of capsules containing fantasy architecture projects.

The aluminium capsules, which are the same size as an AirPods case, contain a watch-like mechanism that can display a series of images of virtual architectural environments.

They can also store digital images and data files relating to a fantasy project.

"We wanted to give people the opportunity to collect a one-of-a-kind architectural concept," said Authié.

"The idea was to create a small and precious object that can be exchanged from hand to hand, like Pokémon cards in the playground."

Top: Anthony Authié and Charlotte Taylor have created a range of fantasy architecture projects. Above: Villa Ortizet in an Architoys capsule

The collectable capsules contain visuals and files of virtual projects the duo have produced over the last few years including Villa Ortizet and Neo-Chemosphere, two fictional dwellings the duo worked on together.

The former is a house set in the French countryside inspired by Authié's grandfather while the latter is a spaceship-style clifftop dwelling designed in homage to Californian architect John Lautner.

The duo have collaborated on virtual projects including Villa Ortizet

Authié will also sell three virtual designs created by Zyva Studio at the auction, which starts today at Foundation.app.

Based in Marseille, Authié describes Zyva Studio as "a ludicrous architecture studio". It produces conceptual buildings and products.

London-based Charlotte Taylor is a visualisation artist and founder of creative studio Maison du Sable. Her projects include Casa Atibaia, an imaginary house set in a Brazilian jungle co-designed with Nicholas Préaud.

Taylor and Authié are leading lights in a new generation of architects and designers whose work primarily exists in a digital space.

The virtual projects will be sold as NFTs

The recent emergence of cryptocurrencies and NFTs (non-fungible tokens) has created a booming market for this type of virtual work.

Authié told Dezeen that digital technology "has created a form of architectural liberation".

"Digital has allowed the development of new forms of architecture and allowed us to push the boundaries of the profession without the constraints of gravity, finance and administration," he said.

"We can therefore give free rein to our imagination, thinking and creating the wildest dreams that take shape in our heads."

The projects are the latest virtual designs to be sold as NFTs

NFTs offer a potential business model for designers that work in the virtual world, he said.

"NFTs are an incredible way of showcasing work and finding new investors," Authié said.

"From a business perspective, creating virtual projects allows them to create references that can be presented to their customers. This extra credibility helps them obtain a real order.

"It also allows architects and designers to develop concepts that push the boundaries of their profession."

"I think we are at the cusp of a fundamental paradigm shift," he added. "The virtual world is increasingly taking over the real world, and we are only at the beginning."

Taylor will present her work at Dezeen Club's metaverse meet-up on 7 April. The event will explore the rise of the metaverse as a digital alternative to the real world.

Virtual designers Space Popular, Andrés Reisinger and Amber Jae Slooten will speak alongside Taylor.

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#all #architecture #design #nfts #charlottetaylor