dayoungc-LookingOutwards-02

Combining Concepts and Computations into Reality

In my exploration of generative artists, I stopped at Michael Hansmeyer’s <www.michael-hansmeyer.com> work, mesmerized. Active from 2003 to the present, Hansmeyer uses existing architectural or natural forms but modifies them—sometimes drastically—or explores their boundaries using what he calls “computational architecture.

http://www.michael-hansmeyer.com/images/reade_street/reade_street3.jpg

“Seemingly a normal building renovation.”

One of his more recent projects, “Reade Street” (2016) is a prime example of this combination of existing concepts and generated computations. At first glance, the building is your typical classic building in Manhattan. Upon closer glance at the columns, however, one can see that the architectural design has been computer generated from a combination of existing forms.

http://www.michael-hansmeyer.com/images/reade_street/reade_street5.jpg

“But combining classical architecture and computation to create something new.”

This is fascinating because through computation, Hansmeyer is able to explore beyond the boundaries of ancient through modern architecture while still retaining all of the history involved in the creation of these designs. Itis an eerie blend of past, present, and future that may itself become established in architectural history.

http://www.michael-hansmeyer.com/images/inhotim/inhotim2.jpg

“Hansmeyer even combines nature and computation to create an eerie blend.”