It can be yours!
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| $5,555.55 - 16ft x 4ft |
The Dossier cannot.
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| Top Secret |
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Announcement #16_The "director" Revealed
A coup in the making!
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| The "director" revealed? |
The only witnesses were questioned but silent:
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| Witness A |
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| Witness B |
Announcement #15_A Surreptitious Extraction
The following image was taken covertly by an unauthorized source. Little is known of the activists involved, some speculate an inside job, others a mutiny.
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| Extraction of the artifacts |
A dearth envelopes Zone 5:
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| Zone 5 - A soldier and a lonely broom |
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Announcement #14_The Critics Respond
The Department does not dispute anything stated or implied in the following exhibition reviews:
Nor does it comment itself.
by Camille LeFevre, mnartists.org, July 28, 2011
by Mary Abbe, Minneapolis Star Tribune, July 29, 2011
Nor does it comment itself.
-the director
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Announcement #13_The Public Response
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| gallery log note; poignant reminder or a message regarding a pending genius? |
Upon request of the Council of Architects, the Department asks anyone with information about the identity of this most talented "5 year old" referenced above to contact the Zone 5 gallery or this website by commenting below. A reward would be expected, but is unlikely. Gratitude will find other manifestations.
-the director
Monday, July 18, 2011
Announcement #12_More Details of reAssembly
The Department is currently unable to halt the infiltration of its public website, and the unauthorized release of more details of the reAssembly from the excavation of Zone 5. One image of particular concern is that of a "Sacred Guardian", one of the speculations which the Department has tried to keep from the public's eye, although they have not explained what is being accomplished by this veil of secrecy.
The Department would prefer the public pay attention to the more traditional view seen below.
A stunning detail was also released of the following "Assemblage", although no explanation was provided other than it apparently is a light fixture. Additional details were not made available nor was any schedule provided for the future release of new images.
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| Guardian seen through the entry door of Zone 5 |
The Department would prefer the public pay attention to the more traditional view seen below.
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| Traditional Gallery View |
A stunning detail was also released of the following "Assemblage", although no explanation was provided other than it apparently is a light fixture. Additional details were not made available nor was any schedule provided for the future release of new images.
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| Detail of hanging Assemblage |
Announcement #11_ The Department Revealed
As promised the Department of Public Design opened its outer sanctum on Saturday night for a public viewing of the reAssembly of Zone 5 by the Council of Architects. While cameras were banned from the showing, a number of phone images have emerged of the space on the internet. In keeping with the Department's policy of ex post facto "opaque transparency", the following images have been cleared for publication:
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| Image from outside the Zone 5 secure area |
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| Image through the Zone 5 secure area door |
| No further images are available at this time according to a spokesperson for the director. |
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Announcement #10_ Zone 5 abandoned
The Department reported today that the rabble crowd seen congregating in front of the recently published entry to Zone 5 had successfully made its way into the work chambers, but no word of any damage has been reported. Officials were able to clear the chamber but not before a cell phone image was taken and uploaded to the internet which shows materials and tools from a typical worktable.
Another unauthorized image released shows a seemingly injured hand which the Department characterized as a result of the minor skirmish among the intruders themselves.
A Department spokesperson said that the injury has been "treated" and the party released. No further information will be provided.
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| Zone Worktable |
Another unauthorized image released shows a seemingly injured hand which the Department characterized as a result of the minor skirmish among the intruders themselves.
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| "injured" hand? |
A Department spokesperson said that the injury has been "treated" and the party released. No further information will be provided.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Announcement #9_ Response to Hacking/Unauthorized image
Two recent statements appearing on the project website, issued ostensibly from its director have been deemed by the Department to be the work of anonymous hackers with no group claiming responsibility.
The statements in question were issued, "...in response to the growing demand to explain what is happening in Zone 5". In response the Department labeled the statements, "mundane" and admitted that it's website had been recently hacked but that it had regained control of its site. The Department has issued no further statements, but has chosen to publish the two insertions in their entirety with no accompanied images at this time.
Statement #1:
"Several architects dressed in black joined together to do something that would positively impact their surroundings, but were unable to jointly determine what that might be until given the keys to a gallery. The group met for weeks in a vacant studio space, quickly dubbed "Zone 5", where they gathered while assembling the discarded and unused material and detritus of their profession. Talking loudly and simultaneously they began a furious process of "making" that became the focus for their creative energy and passion for connecting, discussing, arguing and laughing."
-End of statement
Statement #2:
What would happen if you gathered some of your most talented friends who were good at a lot of the same things that you were good at (and therefore competitors), and then tried to work with them on something that none of you might do alone?
This is not the way architects typically think.
How do they think, how do they work?
How could the group practically work together without going nuts?
What kind of influence could a group have together?
Are there unique opportunities that might arise?
What could we learn?
While attending a 2010 AIA awards ceremony, that is exactly what was hatched amongst some of those present (and presented). Awards ceremonies are meant to promote individual (or firm) achievements, and maybe inspire others to work a little better, too. Think of it as jealously and envy fueling healthy
curiousity. This all happens in separate spheres. But maybe there are better ways, other ways practiced by younger, less experienced people, people in other professions, people less trapped by their own egoism.
Architects do typically think like this:
What is up with “X” ? (pick any unjust, ugly, ill-conceived, or potential-laden project)
We could do better than that! (Actually, they usually use I.)
Inveterate optimists beat down by a learned sense of hopelessness, what is the typical architect to do? The Department of Public Design aims to find out.
-End of statement
However, suspicion is mounting that there is more truth to the statements than the Department will admit, and that the tight control the Department has maintained over communication has been breached and is beginning to crack. A recent unauthorized image released on the internet does show some form of construction seen through the opening in the Zone, but no further details seem forthcoming.
Attempts to reach the Department will be unanswered.
The statements in question were issued, "...in response to the growing demand to explain what is happening in Zone 5". In response the Department labeled the statements, "mundane" and admitted that it's website had been recently hacked but that it had regained control of its site. The Department has issued no further statements, but has chosen to publish the two insertions in their entirety with no accompanied images at this time.
Statement #1:
"Several architects dressed in black joined together to do something that would positively impact their surroundings, but were unable to jointly determine what that might be until given the keys to a gallery. The group met for weeks in a vacant studio space, quickly dubbed "Zone 5", where they gathered while assembling the discarded and unused material and detritus of their profession. Talking loudly and simultaneously they began a furious process of "making" that became the focus for their creative energy and passion for connecting, discussing, arguing and laughing."
-End of statement
Statement #2:
What would happen if you gathered some of your most talented friends who were good at a lot of the same things that you were good at (and therefore competitors), and then tried to work with them on something that none of you might do alone?
This is not the way architects typically think.
How do they think, how do they work?
How could the group practically work together without going nuts?
What kind of influence could a group have together?
Are there unique opportunities that might arise?
What could we learn?
While attending a 2010 AIA awards ceremony, that is exactly what was hatched amongst some of those present (and presented). Awards ceremonies are meant to promote individual (or firm) achievements, and maybe inspire others to work a little better, too. Think of it as jealously and envy fueling healthy
curiousity. This all happens in separate spheres. But maybe there are better ways, other ways practiced by younger, less experienced people, people in other professions, people less trapped by their own egoism.
Architects do typically think like this:
What is up with “X” ? (pick any unjust, ugly, ill-conceived, or potential-laden project)
We could do better than that! (Actually, they usually use I.)
Inveterate optimists beat down by a learned sense of hopelessness, what is the typical architect to do? The Department of Public Design aims to find out.
-End of statement
However, suspicion is mounting that there is more truth to the statements than the Department will admit, and that the tight control the Department has maintained over communication has been breached and is beginning to crack. A recent unauthorized image released on the internet does show some form of construction seen through the opening in the Zone, but no further details seem forthcoming.
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| Unauthorized image from Zone 5 |
Attempts to reach the Department will be unanswered.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Announcement #8_ Guardians in Red
The Department today issued a series of images from the excavation but left no explanation for the prevalence of the color red nor why these particular images were released.
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| Wall Stencil |
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| Guardian |
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| Detail 1 |
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| Detail 2 |
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Announcement #7_ Unauthorized Publicity
In a surprising and unauthorized move an announcement (Best Promo Ever) of the forthcoming Exhibition was released today on the Architecture MN blog Architecture MN blog. It is unclear what action or sanctions the Department might take against the organization in order to hamper a growing anticipation as the opening approaches.
While the Department generally does not recommend other sites or sources and tries to maintain the dignity of its anonymity, an exception has been made in this case and highly "suggests" investigating the magazine's website:
Architecture MN
While the Department generally does not recommend other sites or sources and tries to maintain the dignity of its anonymity, an exception has been made in this case and highly "suggests" investigating the magazine's website:
Architecture MN
Announcement #6-Entry to Zone 5 image released
In an effort to mitigate mounting public pressure for further information and explanations of their earlier announcements on the excavation occurring in Zone 5, the Department of Public Design released a photo of what they describe as the "Entry to Zone 5". In an attempt to answer why a number "9" can be seen painted under the entry, a spokesperson for the Director stated, "This is a typical deflection technique used at the time of Zone 5's active life meant to obfuscate efforts to locate them."
No further information was released.
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| Purported "Entry to Zone 5" |
No further information was released.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Announcement #4-An Exhibition of reAssembly
The Director of the Department of Public Design released preliminary images of the work undertaken by the Council of Architects in the reAssembly of Zone 5.
reAssembly Sections
reAssembly Panel A
reAssembly - Speculations
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Announcement #3-Invitation to An Exhibition of reAssembly
The Director of the Department of Public Design announced today that an ambiguous assortment of artifacts and materials recently uncovered in Zone 5 will be evaluated by the Council of Architects and presented in an exhibition of reassembly.
Where:
Form + Content Gallery
210 North 2nd Street
Minneapolis, MN 55401
When:
July 14 - August 29, 2011
Thur-Sat, 12-6pm
Opening Reception
Saturday July 16; 6-9pm
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Announcement #2
From the Department of Public Design
RE: Found objects, materials and arcane constructions
Council of Architects MEMO
From: Member Roehr
This project has grown out of a conversation amongst a specific group of working architects interested in exploring new ways of working together that might leverage their particular (sometimes peculiar) skills and collective energy to new and unforeseen ends. The project itself is an effort to tease out that ever mystifying and primal relationship between things and meaning - how meaning imbues a thing; how a thing embodies meaning. This is a perennial question in our practice, and the question that holds the potential to open architecture well beyond itself. As a group effort, the project has also become an exploration of the relationship between the realms of highly personal and collective meaning. It has taken a group of people who are typically engaged in the controlled, detailed, orchestrated manipulation of the environment into a highly ambiguous situation in which the very ground rules for what we are doing together are in constant flux and negotiation, pushing everyone beyond their comfort zone. The conversation is fundamentally unstable, and is constantly going meta; the danger is to tumble through an infinite regress of reflection about what we are trying to achieve. But that is also the thrill, and cuts to the heart of the balance we are always seeking as architects and artists, and presumably as humans - a provisional equilibrium between order and chaos - an equilibrium that momentarily suspends negotiation and allows us to act. The resulting artifact will be less an artwork or installation per se, and more the record of this process, manipulated to highlight and clarify itself.
RE: Found objects, materials and arcane constructions
Council of Architects MEMO
From: Member Roehr
This project has grown out of a conversation amongst a specific group of working architects interested in exploring new ways of working together that might leverage their particular (sometimes peculiar) skills and collective energy to new and unforeseen ends. The project itself is an effort to tease out that ever mystifying and primal relationship between things and meaning - how meaning imbues a thing; how a thing embodies meaning. This is a perennial question in our practice, and the question that holds the potential to open architecture well beyond itself. As a group effort, the project has also become an exploration of the relationship between the realms of highly personal and collective meaning. It has taken a group of people who are typically engaged in the controlled, detailed, orchestrated manipulation of the environment into a highly ambiguous situation in which the very ground rules for what we are doing together are in constant flux and negotiation, pushing everyone beyond their comfort zone. The conversation is fundamentally unstable, and is constantly going meta; the danger is to tumble through an infinite regress of reflection about what we are trying to achieve. But that is also the thrill, and cuts to the heart of the balance we are always seeking as architects and artists, and presumably as humans - a provisional equilibrium between order and chaos - an equilibrium that momentarily suspends negotiation and allows us to act. The resulting artifact will be less an artwork or installation per se, and more the record of this process, manipulated to highlight and clarify itself.
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Arcane assemblage 1 -Zone 5 |
Monday, May 2, 2011
Announcement #1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Department of Public Design announced today that an ambiguous assortment of seemingly unrelated objects recently uncovered in Zone 5, will be assessed by the Council of Architects to determine their nature, origin, and meaning. The Council will attempt to assemble these objects in order to apprise their adherence to the Department's current Standards of Dogma for the public domain.
The Council's findings will be on display this summer at Form + Content Gallery in Minneapolis, MN. The public is invited to view this presentation and encouraged to respond with alternate explanations and interpretations for consideration by the Council, after which a final report will be prepared for the Department's purview.
While the Department cannot be reached in any manner for information or questioning, the findings of this ongoing investigation can be found at the a designated project website@
http://thedepartmentofpublicdesign.blogspot.com
Details to follow
-The Director
Select Images:
THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC DESIGN: INTERIM REPORT
RE: Found objects, materials and arcane constructions
The Department of Public Design announced today that an ambiguous assortment of seemingly unrelated objects recently uncovered in Zone 5, will be assessed by the Council of Architects to determine their nature, origin, and meaning. The Council will attempt to assemble these objects in order to apprise their adherence to the Department's current Standards of Dogma for the public domain.
The Council's findings will be on display this summer at Form + Content Gallery in Minneapolis, MN. The public is invited to view this presentation and encouraged to respond with alternate explanations and interpretations for consideration by the Council, after which a final report will be prepared for the Department's purview.
While the Department cannot be reached in any manner for information or questioning, the findings of this ongoing investigation can be found at the a designated project website@
http://thedepartmentofpublicdesign.blogspot.com
Details to follow
-The Director
Curated by Jay H. Isenberg and Lynda Monick-Isenberg.
The Council of Architects:
Alchemy
ALTUS Architecture + Design
CITYDESKSTUDIO
Locus Architecture
RoehrSchmitt Architecture
Locus Architecture
RoehrSchmitt Architecture
Select Images:
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| Excavation - Zone 5 |
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| Found construction-Zone 5 |
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| Found object - Zone 5 |
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| Artifacts - Zone 5 |
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| Found Materials/Objects - Zone 5 |
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| Arcane construction - Zone 5 |
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