Architecture exhibition is surreal, stunning 'Sticky' situation

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Contact:
Hongtao Zhou, (808) 956-2859
Assistant Professor, Architecture
Diane Chang, (808) 956-0391
Director of Communications, Chancellor's Office
Posted: Oct 18, 2013

The "Sticky" exhibition at the Haigo and Irene Shen Gallery. Ren Shiroma photo.
The "Sticky" exhibition at the Haigo and Irene Shen Gallery. Ren Shiroma photo.

There’s a self-described sticky situation at the UH Mānoa School of Architecture’s Haigo and Irene Shen Gallery, and Assistant Professor Hongtao Zhou, PhD, MFA, and his Architecture graduate students couldn’t be happier about it.  “Sticky” is an exhibition running through Tuesday, November 5, 2013, that was completed using recycled bamboo poles and cardboard.

The installation is featured in the October 14, 2013 issue of designboom, a popular digital architecture and design magazine.

“Inspired by Hawaii’s tropical climate, the sticky structures reflect a sense of organic strength and living energy. Its form is reminiscent of the roots of a banyan tree and its gesture is similar to that of a frog’s tongue,” describes Zhou. “The sticky structures shoot out, capture, break, drag and move surrounding walls. They animate the space through manipulation, emphasizing the changes which occur within the design process.”

Participating installation designers include Zhou and sculpture graduate students Jandi Quitoriano, Tao Yang, Scott Macri, Jan Erika Sicam, BriAnn Laban, Dorothy Baga, Ann Motonaga, Tessa Pobanz, Howard Shek, Naibin Jiang, Nainoa Cravalho, Graham Hart, Ren Shiroma, Raymond Sze-to, Xu Yang, Mengxi He and Tyler Francisco.

The class has formed an architecture residency to promote the art of architectural installation in Honolulu.  The residency will practice contemporary sculptures and installations related to architecture, including public art, interior architecture, installations and performance. Locations could include campus and beach sites, galleries and in downtown Honolulu.

“Through observation of the natural and man-made environments, the students will generate questions/design issues and develop concepts related to human behavior and culture. The goal is to create dialogue among them and make more interesting places,” said Zhou.

For more information, visit: http://www.arch.hawaii.edu/