11-16-2010
Yes We Can!
"Building Blocks Against Hunger" the FXFOWLE/WSP Flack + Kurtz entry for Canstruction 2010
In its 18th year, Canstruction NYC kicked off last Wednesday night at the World Financial Center. Competition was tough this year as 24 teams participated. We were happy to see some longtime competitors return to the stacking floor.
Once again FXFOWLE and WSP Flack + Kurtz teamed on this year's effort, but we took a completely different approach than last year's "Canny Island." Going for something a little more primordial we considered something that inspires many architects and engineers at a young age. Something that we can still appreciate as that which ignited an interest in designing and buildings—a toy modular building block with a friction locking interface that begins a lifetime of construction! Oh, those sleek finishes and those brilliant colors. That smooth resistance and slight snap as the pieces lock together. We assembled 7644 cans to canstruct eleven "Building Blocks Against Hunger."
While over 100,000 cans were donated in in total from this year's sculptures, a winning move in stocking City Harvest's pantry, the FXFOWLE/WSP Flack + Kurtz team unfortunately did not win any prizes. However, Bruce Fowle was honored with a trophy acknowledging FXFOWLE's participation in the past 15 years of Canstruction. This year's jurors' favorite went to Thornton Tomasetti's "BabushCan," an interpretation of matroshka nesting dolls.
Founded in 1992 by Cheri C. Melillo, Canstruction events occur in over a hundred cities across the US, as well as internationally. The Canstructions will be on view at the World Financial Center daily from 10am–7pm until 5pm Monday November 22. Come take a look and bring a can or two to donate to City Harvest.
by Nadia Samuelson
Once again FXFOWLE and WSP Flack + Kurtz teamed on this year's effort, but we took a completely different approach than last year's "Canny Island." Going for something a little more primordial we considered something that inspires many architects and engineers at a young age. Something that we can still appreciate as that which ignited an interest in designing and buildings—a toy modular building block with a friction locking interface that begins a lifetime of construction! Oh, those sleek finishes and those brilliant colors. That smooth resistance and slight snap as the pieces lock together. We assembled 7644 cans to canstruct eleven "Building Blocks Against Hunger."
While over 100,000 cans were donated in in total from this year's sculptures, a winning move in stocking City Harvest's pantry, the FXFOWLE/WSP Flack + Kurtz team unfortunately did not win any prizes. However, Bruce Fowle was honored with a trophy acknowledging FXFOWLE's participation in the past 15 years of Canstruction. This year's jurors' favorite went to Thornton Tomasetti's "BabushCan," an interpretation of matroshka nesting dolls.
Founded in 1992 by Cheri C. Melillo, Canstruction events occur in over a hundred cities across the US, as well as internationally. The Canstructions will be on view at the World Financial Center daily from 10am–7pm until 5pm Monday November 22. Come take a look and bring a can or two to donate to City Harvest.
by Nadia Samuelson