Peace and Quiet
Identity and Environmental Graphics for 'Peace & Quiet', a civic 'dialogue station' in Times Square, where veterans and civilians can engage in poignant conversation.
Times Square, arguably one of the world’s great public intersections, has an estimated 500,000 people passing through it everyday. It seemed an ideal circumstance to initiate and inform a poignant exchange of ideas between citizens, perhaps will intimacy in an instance of its opposite.
Peace & Quiet is a temporary dialogue station where veterans and civilians—two wide ranging demographic groups, whose paths increasingly do not cross—can openly engage each other in meaningful conversation. It is a tranquil place to meet, share stories, leave a note, shake hands—a veteran-civilian exchange, in person. Beyond politics, stereotype or judgement; bridging the often unnecessary gap. It is scheduled for installation on the north end of Times Square this coming November, in time for Veteran's Day.
Located far opposite the US Army recruiting station—the possible commencement point for arduous and dangerous journeys—the dialogue station will engage the women and men of the armed services in their roles within civilian life. Abstractly interpreted, the stations are intertwined portals, bracketing experiences the vast majority only hear of in the news; events at the forefront of our national identity and economy, and yet too often remote or misunderstood to those who do not, or dare not, enter these situations directly.
Concept & Architecture:
Matter Practice Architecture
Photo Credit:
Ka-Man Tse and TS Webcam
Environmental Graphics & Identity by VosBrenner
http://www.matterpractice.net/ongoing/peace--quiet/2/
2013 / architecture / Matter Practice / environmental / New York City / participation / Exhibition