NY Review: New York 09

New York 09_

_Storefront for Art and Architecture

97 Kenmare Street,New York, NY 10012

www.storefrontnews.org

Hours: Tue-Sat: 11am-6 pm/ Sun -Mon: closed

Architect: Steven Holl and Vito Acconci. 1993

Founded in 1982, the Storefront for Art and Architecture is a non-profit organization committed to the advancement of innovative positions in architecture, art, and design. Their program of exhibitions, artists talks, film screenings, conferences, and publications is intended to generate dialogue and collaboration across geographic, ideological, and disciplinary boundaries. As a public forum for emerging voices, Storefront explores vital issues in art and architecture with the intent of increasing awareness of and interest in contemporary design.

In 1993, Storefront commissioned a collaborative building project by artist Vito Acconci and architect Steven Holl. The project replaced the existing facade with a series of twelve panels that pivot vertically or horizontally to open the entire length of the gallery directly onto the street. The project blurs the boundary between interior and exterior and, by placing the panels in different configurations, creates a multitude of different possible facades. Now regarded as a contemporary architectural landmark, Storefront's facade is visited by artists, architects, and students from around the world.

This ground-floor facade restoration is composed of irregularly-shaped panels that pivot on hinges. The panel's various shapes and their combinations of open or closed conditions create - especially when combined with weather conditions - a potentially different facade each day.

The interior is a long, tapered space that exhibits the old structure's columns, floor and ceiling. Gallery space along the long wall is visible from the street when the panels are open, helping to activate this stretch of Kenmare Street.

Because of its location in the Chinatown/Little Italy/Soho area of New York City, three considerably different cultural neighbourhoods, Storefront has been known to attract a diverse audience.