Floating World: a tent city campground for displaced human and bird song
August 2010-October 2011
August 2010-October 2011
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Commissioned by the City of San Jose Public
Art Program in collaboration with ZER01 and the 01SJ Biennial as part of a Creative Placemaking strategy for urban revitalization. |
Lead artists:
Robin Lasser, Marguerite Perret and Bruce Scherting Creative partners: James Stone, Keay Edwards, Anthony Teixeira and Sasha Rieker |
Twenty-one miniature tents were cantilevered off the bridge that spans the Guadalupe River at San Fernando Street in downtown San Jose, CA.
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Floating World's tent encampments are fashioned after relief shelters as a metaphor for the consequences of city-building in environmentally sensitive areas. Each encampment has a unique sonic element; displaced bird songs, human songs about water, an ambient sonic piece, and scientists describing the impact of flood control channels and climate change on riparian bird populations.
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While flood control and transportation systems are essential
to urban environments, we also need to be mindful of the consequences. Floating World does not pass judgment on city-building efforts, nor does it offer a solution. Instead, by simply being a beautiful and unexpected artwork in an often-neglected space, the installation is designed to provide an opportunity to reflect upon and provoke thought on how our urban infrastructure impacts the environments we inhabit. |
View of the installation from the Guadalupe River.
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Pedestrian view of the installation with the Guadalupe River down below.
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Flag associated with each tent encampment make refer to the health,
ecology and culture of the river. Flag pattern designs are based on mercury
and greenhouse gas molecules, native bird species and macro invertebrates
—indicators of water quality, and a blue water cross on a red background,
a reminder of flooding danger and potential disaster relief.
All tents are illuminated by LEDs that make the encampments
appear to float at night.
ecology and culture of the river. Flag pattern designs are based on mercury
and greenhouse gas molecules, native bird species and macro invertebrates
—indicators of water quality, and a blue water cross on a red background,
a reminder of flooding danger and potential disaster relief.
All tents are illuminated by LEDs that make the encampments
appear to float at night.