"Building the Impossible: Architecture and Motion"

In the spring of 2004, planning for "Building the Impossible: Architecture and Motion" began and on February 28, 2005 the exhibit opened after countless hours of work by many, including several St. Thomas graduate students who helped research and hang the show. The grads were treated to a rare event on March 2, with the arrival of architect Peter Eisenman from New York City. Not only was he here to discuss in a formal lecture his stadium designs, most notably the Arizona Cardinals Stadium, the first stadium in the United States with a movable playing field, he also spent an hour meeting with students in a one on one conversation about his work.

On March 3, students were able to hear seven more outstanding speakers talk about their views of architecture and motion. Frank Worms, Larry Griffis, and John Kissinger discussed the integration of motion into design from the vantage point of architects and engineers. Michael Fox and Chuck Hoberman illustrated how kinetics impact design can impact everyday life from Fox's designs for motion-activated flowers to Hoberman's toy designs. Engineer Don Krantz told the audience about work his firm does to counteract motion in architecture, as with the design of earthquake simulation laboratories. And local architect Joan Soranno discussed the implication of motion in her buildings. All of our speakers, including Eisenman, emphasized how important collaboration is in kinetic design, as its successful completion requires the aid of many architects, engineers, planners, and computer specialists.

Finally on Friday March 4 we were able to showcase the work of our students. Graduate students included: Nicole Watson, who discussed the role of nature and natural movement as an inspiration for designers; Kara ZumBahlen, who told us about the importance of computers in the making of kinetic architecture; and Sarah Campbell who presented her research on movable bridges in Minnesota. Nicole had also served as the graduate student assistant for the entire series of events.

Our grad students also served as greeters and ticket takers and were generally all around wonderful in their support of these events!!!! Thank you.

Dr. Victoria Young

Curator, "Building the Impossible: Architecture and Motion"