SO-IL + ana prvački create air-filtering outfits for chicago architecture biennial performance by Philip Stevens
during the opening week of the 2017 chicago architecture biennial, architecture studio SO-IL and artist ana prvački are debuting a musical performance piece titled 'l'air pour l'air'. as part of the project, which aims to ensure the continued legacy of musicians as the world's cities grow more polluted, the collaborative design team has created an ensemble of mesh enclosures. each piece has been conceived as part mask, part shelter, and is designed to clean and filter the air through breathing.
presented as one of the chicago architecture biennial's special projects, the four SO-IL-designed enclosures — named 'flute' 'saxophone' 'voice' and 'trombone' — will be worn by the respective members of the chicago sinfonietta. through performing an original composition, created by veronika krausas, the musicians will 'clean the air that produces the music'. 'the installation and performance encourage its viewers to meditate upon the complex notions such as the relationship between purity and pollution, and the distinctions between self, body, objects, and nature,' explains the design team.
earlier this year, SO-IL designed a resource-conscious living concept clad with a fabric that could clean itself. 'it is a translucent PVC mesh so obviously as you layer it, it creates different depths and translucency,' ilias papageorgiou, principal at SO-IL, told designboom. 'due to the double turn geometry, the installation features incredible and constantly moving patterns of light and shadow during the daytime. it is a fabric that has the capability to clean itself, and has a coating that filters dirt from the surrounding air.'
prior to 'l'air pour l'air', SO – IL created 'passage' for the inaugural chicago architecture biennial in 2015. the installation, which formed a reflection on the spatial qualities of the ramp, was selected to remain on site, and is currently on view at the chicago cultural center. stay tuned as designboom brings you all the latest news and installations from the chicago architecture biennial as the event opens its doors this week.
the main exhibition is free and open to the public from september 16, 2017 through january 7, 2018.