To celebrate Central Embassy's 5th anniversary, New York-based design studio Snarkitecture has set up a minimalist yet fun art installation on the shopping mall's Ground Level. Dubbed Tilting Forest, the second installation by Snarkitecture after The Beach in 2017, it places a number of blue-and-white towering cones where people can wander about, get lost and even push the cones to move them as if they are swaying trees. Benjamin Porto, a partner at Snarkitecture, spoke to Guru about the project.
Give us the lowdown on Tilting Forest?
At Snarkitecture we like to explore boundaries between art and architecture -- artistic and architectural spaces. We don't just create large objects with no interaction, we want you to touch and play with them. Since they're tall, it's also a bit of a maze so you can go and explore the space and create your own path.
The simplest idea for Tilting Forest was to make something large so that people can interact with. Then using simple geometry, we made sure it had a basic shape and that's why we came up with the cone. But making it inflatable also allows people to be able to touch it. It's a 'forest' in the sense that there's a sense of exploration as you move through it.
Tilting Forest is exactly what we wanted to do. We want to make art and architecture more accessible so you're actually invited to touch the art. We also wanted to have that sense of play in our installation.
What is the difference between The Beach, your first project at Central Embassy, and this one? Do you prefer one over the other?
I like them both but they're meant to be different things. For The Beach, we made an enclosure that invites you inside. Tilting Forest is different because you can flow through it, it's immersive and connects with the architecture of the building, as well. It's fun to walk at the ground level but it's also interesting to see what it looks like from other floors.
Did Central Embassy inspire any part of Tilting Forest?
Of course. With simplicity and strong design to its space, it's the same concepts we hold since we like to simplify things. So I feel like we're like-minded designers here.
Tilting Forest uses a lot of blues and whites, which is different from Snarkietcture's last project, which was monochromatic.
Why blue and white?
I think by adding variation in the colour, it brings you through the forest. You see different colours and it makes you move forward.
How many installations is Snarkitecture working on for this year?
We have a lot of various projects coming up from furniture to other installations.
Are there any plans to set up Tilting Forest anywhere else?
No plans yet but it would be great. It's always nice to see our work have a second life somewhere else.
Do you have to see the site first or do you just come up with ideas?
We usually see the site first. Our best work comes from collaborating with clients. It's never us just designing in a bubble by ourselves. It's also about seeing the space and communication and coming up with the best project.
What is the experience you want people to takeaway from Tilting Forest?
I don't think there's a specific takeaway as the experience will vary for every person but I hope they experience something a little unexpected.
Tilting Forest can be experienced on the ground floor of Central Embassy until June 2.
