Pole Dance, MoMa PS1 – So-IL
“In our winning design for the MoMA PS1 Young Architects Program we take the opportunity to further contemporary explorations of sensory-charged environments, rather than finite forms. Especially considering the unique requirements of the temporary structure for the PS1 courtyard, needing to perform two seemingly contradictory tasks—calming and carousing, a worthy proposition will need to consider the choreography of situations rather than object-making.
We designed a participatory environment that reframes the conceptual relation between people and structure. Composed of an interconnected system of poles, netting, and elastic bungee, its equilibrium is constantly challenged by both human action and environmental factors, such as rain and wind. Discovering its elasticity, visitors engage with the structure to invent games, test its limits, and watch it gently dance. Our goal was that such an environment re-engages the public with the physical, triggering increased awareness and consciousness of our environment and surroundings.”
