MoMA PS1 ColoNY | a77

"The devastating effects of natural disasters and economic volatility have spurred architects to reconsider how to build in a tumultuous world. Argentinian architecture firm a77 is creating a colony in MoMA PS1’s outdoor courtyard in which artists, thinkers, architects, and other cultural agents are invited to live and work communally. Led by Gustavo Diéguez and Lucas Gilardi, a77 works with recycled and salvaged materials to create temporary housing. Powerful storms have left behind wreckage destined for landfills and the foreclosure crisis has created a glut of abandoned homes. The architects reimagine such bleak conditions to find new forms of sustainable dwellings as alternatives to the traditional house. In addition to an architectural performance, at both the stages of its construction and occupation, the colony is a model that proposes alternative uses of public space. It is also a proposal for a different exhibition format; one that stresses process over product and collective creativity over the individual artist." ColoNY credits: The Colony is organized by Pedro Gadanho, Curator, Department of Architecture and Design, MoMA, and Jenny Schlenzka, Associate Curator, MoMA PS1, in consultation with writer and architecture theoretician, Niklas Maak. coloNY is part of the EXPO 1: New York Design and construction: a77 / Gustavo Diéguez y Lucas Gilardi Local partner: Joe Diamond MoMA PS1 team: Klaus Biesenbach (Director), Jenny Schlenzka (Associate Curator), Eliza Ryan (Assistant Curator), Alex Sloane (VW Performance Fellow), Peter Katz (Chief Operating Officer), Richard Wilson (Chief of Installation) Construction team/ volunteers: a77, Verónica Alvarez, Michelle Berbery, Caroline Corbett, Emiliana de los Heros, Nicolas Gril, Ryan Hao, Jessica LaBarbera, Suzanne Labourie, Daniel Li, Chloe Mahoney, Loli Mallea, Lola Mora, Simona Solórzano, Gonzalo Torres, Justin Walker. Location: MoMA PS1. Queens. New York Photography: Nicolas Gril, Ryan Hao & a77.