A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION

Art Santa Fe Presents
Competition for the design of the facade
of the El Museo Cultural de Santa Fe.

Telephone: 505-988-8883
Fax: 505-989-9898
facadecomp@artsantafepresents.org

THE ART SANTA FE PRESENTS, INC.
2007 FACADE COMPETITION WINNER

Santa Fe, NM –

The ART Santa Fe Presents jury selected “Shifting Lines”, designed by Peter Elsbeck, Cristina Greavu and Eric Rang. All are graduate architecture students at Washington University in St. Louis, currently studying in Helsinki, Finland. The design team will received a $5,000 cash award.
 

In their artist’s statement accompanying their submission they described their design as “…an intervention [that] addresses the industrial, trivial nature of the existing façade of the Museo by improvement rather than rejection. By capitalizing on the strong light of the southwest and the repeating rhythm of the existing wall corrugation, the addition encourages a more three-dimensional, engaging experience…It consists of a series of white, semi-translucent fabric strips that push out of the existing facade into space, thus forming an alternative visual and experiential guideline, a new "roofline" of sorts. During the day, a new special condition is created that allows constantly changing shadows to be viewed behind the fabric. At night, low-intensity lights line the curve, casting an enigmatic glow back onto the existing facade. The material choice gives the viewer not only a visual experience, but also one of touch and hearing. The fabric softens the effect of the harsh metal surface, while even a mild wind can create a pleasant rippling sound.”

The open competition was judged on creativity and the ability to transform the rail-side exterior of El Museo into a focal point for the new contemporary art district. A distinguished panel of local arts professionals selected the winning designs.

Originally, the Committee expected to receive about a dozen entries, most likely from local applicants. However, more than 100 entries came in from all over the world: Munich, Milan, Seattle, New York, Anchorage, Istanbul, Hong Kong, and Sydney; Japan, Vietnam, and Mexico, as well as Helsinki. There were local entries as well. The caliber of the applications was, almost without exception, incredibly high, making the judging process quite a feat.

The façade competition developed a life of its own, far in excess of the Committee’s expectations. It appeared on Death By Architecture.com, “the preeminent site for architecture competition information,” according to its web pages, which include reviews on how to contend globally in architectural competitions. Some of the best graduate schools of architecture, including those at Yale and Harvard Universities, also circulated word of the Santa Fe competition. Open to architects, artists, and designers of all types, the Committee even received an entry from a group of young students.

Runners up in the competition were: first runner-up, “Los Coyotes” designed by Jaron Lubin of Somerville, MA; second runner-up, William Coburn of Santa Fe, NM; and third runner-up, MP Foundry (Robert Mezquiti and Drura Parrish) of Brooklyn, NY and Lexington, KY.

Works of art in themselves, all entries were on display at El Museo’s exposition hall during the month of May, 2007, and during the biennial art fair, ART Santa Fe 2007, held July 12-15 at El Museo Cultural de Santa Fe.

A public unveiling ceremony of the façade was held on Thursday, July 12, 2007.

About ART Santa Fe Presents, Inc.
ART Santa Fe Presents, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to furthering the public’s knowledge and understanding of contemporary art.

About El Museo Cultural de Santa Fe
El Museo is a center of Hispanic culture and learning. El Museo lies in the heart of Santa Fe’s new contemporary arts district, across the street from Site Santa Fe. El Museo will house ART Santa Fe 2007. For further information, please visit www.elmuseocultural.org.

 

WINNER:

“Shifting Lines”    Peter Elsbeck, Cristina Greavu and Eric Rang, Helsinki, Finland

 

FIRST RUNNER-UP:

“Los Coyotes”    Jaron Lubin – Somerville, MA

 

SECOND RUNNER-UP:

William Coburn – Santa Fe, NM

 
THIRD RUNNER-UP:

MP Foundry (Robert Mezquiti and Drura Parrish) - Brooklyn, NY

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