In the bustling city of Los Angeles, a groundbreaking exhibition is challenging traditional notions of materials in architecture and design. *Material Acts: Experimentation in Architecture and Design* at Craft Contemporary, curated by local architects and educators Kate Yeh Chiu and Jia Yi Gu, aims to shift the focus from the formal qualities of materials to the intricate supply chains, logistics, and human labor involved in their production and transportation.
This exhibition, featuring works from over 20 contemporary designers, architects, and artists, redefines materials as active participants in cultural practices and techniques, rather than mere inert objects. The show is organized around five themes: Animating, Disassembling, Feeding, Re-fusing, and Stitching, and is on view through January 5, 2025.
Reimagining Materials in Architecture
In traditional architectural discourse, materials are often viewed as static entities—resources to be sourced, shaped, and utilized. However, *Material Acts* seeks to subvert this paradigm by presenting materials as dynamic participants in the design process. The exhibition encourages visitors to consider the complex logistical, economic, ecological, and technological actions that transform raw matter into the materials that shape our built environment.
The Curatorial Vision
The curators, Kate Yeh Chiu and Jia Yi Gu, emphasize the importance of understanding materials beyond their physical properties. They argue that materials should be seen as *participants in cultural practices and techniques*. This perspective is evident in the diverse range of works on display, which highlight the multifaceted nature of materials and their role in design and architecture.
Exploring the Themes of the Exhibition
The exhibition is organized around five central themes, each exploring a different aspect of materiality:
- Animating: Investigating how materials can be brought to life through design.
- Disassembling: Examining the processes of breaking down materials and repurposing them.
- Feeding: Exploring the relationship between materials and sustenance.
- Re-fusing: Focusing on the fusion of different materials to create new forms.
- Stitching: Looking at the ways materials can be woven together to form cohesive structures.
Innovative Approaches to Materiality
One of the standout pieces in the exhibition is by artist Maru GarcÃa, who experimented with SCOBY skins—a leather-like material known for its wound healing properties. This innovative approach exemplifies the exhibition’s theme of *Animating*, showcasing how materials can transcend their traditional roles and take on new, dynamic forms.
Designers and Their Contributions
The exhibition features a diverse group of designers, each bringing their unique perspective to the theme of materiality. Notable participants include:
- Adobe is Not Software
- After Architecture
- Anupama Kundoo
- Assemble
- Atelier LUMA
- Aurelie Mosse
- Soft Matter Lab
- BC Architects
- Charlotte Malterre-Barthes
- Christine Yogiaman
- Doris Sung
- Felecia Davis
- Gramazio Kohler
- HANNAH
- Joar Nango
- Lola Ben-Alon
- Maru Garcia
- Omar Kahn
- Post Rock
- Rael San Fratello
- Sutherlin Santo
Community-Sourced Library
A unique feature of the exhibition is the community-sourced library, which gathers material samples from contemporary design and adjacent practices. This library includes experiments in chemical reactions, design with living organisms, environment-reactive metals, biocalcified foam, woven earth fibers, and other innovative material mobilizations.
Implications for the Future of Design
The works on display at *Material Acts* not only showcase new materials but also highlight the creation of new systems in response to climate precarity. The exhibition underscores the importance of considering the full lifecycle of materials, from their origins to their eventual disposal or repurposing.
Redefining Materiality
By re-centering human actors and systems in the transformation of materials, the exhibition challenges visitors to rethink their understanding of materiality. It prompts designers and architects to consider the broader implications of their material choices, including the environmental and social impacts.
Conclusion
*Material Acts: Experimentation in Architecture and Design* is a must-see exhibition for anyone interested in the future of materials in architecture and design.
By presenting materials as active participants in cultural practices, the exhibition offers a fresh perspective on the role of materials in shaping our built environment.
Don’t miss the opportunity to explore this innovative and thought-provoking show, available at Craft Contemporary through January 5, 2025.
For more information, visit the official Material Acts exhibition page.