calendar

Saturday, April 1st

8 am- 3 pm [San Diego]
construction: 'Friends Center'
Friends Center (3850 Westgate Place; San Diego)
info: 619-222-3825; hbrody@sbcglobal.net
detail: The major building project will be the kiosk floor. We have 2 layers on and we're moving toward a finish coat. If you like to play with mud, this is your dream come true. The major landscape project will be tending the native plant demonstration garden. Given all the recent rain, this is likely to include weeding and removal of plant protectors from the thriving plants. Also, come check out our new composting toilet and composting demonstration area. We now have a worm bin and 2 types of composting bins accompanied by fantastic signs thanks to The Solana Center for Environmental Innovation.

10 am- 4 pm [LA]
construction: 'Bird Sanctuary'
Bird Sanctuary (end of Davis Avenue; Next to Jackie Robinson baseball field; Veterans Administration; West LA)
info: 310-430 8466 [Rouben Mohiuddin]; rmohiuddin@la.aiuniv.edu
detail: Note: This is an 'alternative' work day (held only if volunteers express interest), so please be sure to call ahead of time. Join us in the finishing touches of a peaceful bird sanctuary adjacent the botanical gardens of the Veterans Administration (next to the LA National Cemetery and UCLA). Clean, modernist cages will house various nearly-extinct species of parrots, surrounding a 'courtyard of contemplation' that will contain a water feature and fluid concrete benches (see images on-line). You don't need to bring a hat or sun tan lotion, since the site is well sheltered under old eucalyptus trees. We will need help with site clean-up, carving/shaping of concrete benches, development of a central fountain, and placement of an elevated mesh to help the site remain clear of tree leaves, as well as construction of exterior walls at the front of the site. Thank youfor helping create an environment in which birds and garden will provide an environment of tremendous beauty and serenity, and offer significant therapeutic value to the veterans working at and visiting the facility. Directions: 405 Freeway to Wilshire Boulevard; Sepulveda Boulevard north; Constitution Avenue west; Davis Avenue north to parking lot at end of street; walk west on walkway adjacent sports field. If you would like to make a donation to the involved organizations ('Association for Parrot C.A.R.E.' and 'Friends of the Garden'; both 501(C)3 tax-exempt), please contact Serenity Park at 310-553-0048.

2-6 pm [LA]
exhibit: 'infranatural'
Materials and Applications (1619 Silverlake Boulevard; los Angeles)
info: 323-913-0915; info@emanate.org
detail: Opening reception. The next radical transformation of the outdoor exhibit space will involve flooding the entire space with water and creating a unique and subtly responsive environment. Spanned by a hyperboloid- shaped bamboo foot bridge that resembles a fraying warped tube and lined with artificially intelligent water systems, the design results from a collaborative effort by infranatural, Bruce Danziger of Arup and Sci-Arc and architects Moritz Freund and Shu-Chi Hsu. The installation will explore the challenges of synchronizing the aesthetics and intrinsic characteristics of natural materials in the built environment with the latest computer aided design tools and embedded control system technologies. Upon entry visitors will cross the hand woven bamboo bridge around which the water will erupt with anticipation and reaction to their presence and intentions. The merging of technology and nature into a cohesive experience will challenge and engage viewers through a sophisticated system of sensors to encourage a physical dialog with the responsive space. The installation will investigate our fear of nature and the unknown, our attraction to control, and our definition of life. The system invites contemplation of these issues while working on many scales simultaneously. Experience of the space will vary depending on the visitor: children playing with energetic motions will create turbulent water spouts that react to their movements, calmer visitors may discover a more cerebral response within the patterns formed by mist emanating from intersecting wave patterns created by walking over the bridge. infranatural has designed all the systems to be self-learning and modifying so the installation will grow within its computational environment while the live bamboo woven into the bridge continues to grow too. The entire environment will evolve over the course of its exhibition time inviting users back regularly to see what has thrived and what has shriveled, it will be survival of the fittest based not just on the natural elements of rain and sun but also of attention and interest. Exhibit runs from March 15th through September.