Architect Heinrich Hohmann with his entry, “City of Glass.” Photo credit : Macy Lao.

On May 9th 2009, architects, designers, artists, and assorted kite lovers converged on Manhattan’s Riverside Park for the first annual FlyNY, an international kite design competition. Founded by architects Hannah Purdy, Aurelie Paradiso, and Victoria Walsh, the festival was open to novice recreational flyers to seasoned pros. The top three designs will be featured in an article in the June issue of Metropolis magazine, and all winning kites will be auctioned off at a party in Chelsea on May 28th, with proceeds benefiting Architecture for Humanity.

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Cole Gerst is an animator whose quirky environmental cartoon, YUNG YETI, won Sundance Channel’s Greenimation contest. To learn more about Cole Gerst and see his artwork, check out SUNDANCE CHANNEL’S Spotlight [www.sundancechannel.com].

1. What’s your favorite political movie?

A CLOCKWORK ORANGE

2. What role do you feel art plays in politics?

It allows artists a way to express their beliefs in their own way, be it music, film, painting, literature, photography, sculpture, street art. It also helps us reflect and study political history. It may help us understand a certain political climate better. Sometimes art can teach others that there are other political views other than what is being shoved down your throat. It can be an escape for many artists under an otherwise controlling government.

3. What do you think is the biggest issue for the next generation of Americans?

The environment and energy independence

4. Who was the first political candidate you were excited to vote for and why?

I’m never really that excited to vote for anyone. It always seems that I am voting for the lesser of two evils.

5. What factors are important to you in choosing a president?

I vote for people that have similar beliefs and that I think actually give a damn

6. What issues would you like to see politicians focus more on?

Their corruptness

7. Which issues would you like to see politicians focus less on?

Each other

8. Which candidate’s initiatives do you feel better address environmental concerns?

Barack Obama’s are more realistic. John McCain wants to make it a contest and give out a prize for technology that already exists.

9. Do you have any recommended links, books or movies so people can learn more about the issues you care about?

Architecture for Humanity [www.architectureforhumanity.org]
TreeHugger [treehugger.com]

Extra Credit: Fill in the blank. _________ for change.

SMILE for a change.

Part of the TreeHugger mantra is “design makes a difference.” By changing the way we make things, we can effectively nip the problem in the bud, so to speak; by designing out the need for waste and designing in smarter materials and better production methods, the world can not only cut back on the extraneous waste caused by poor design, but use smart design to benefit both those in the developing world and here in the land of designed obsolescence and iPod worship. Here’s what we’re talking about here.

1) Good design can make something as simple as riding public transport more popular and more effective, as this graphic design promoting London’s Underground [www.treehugger.com] shows.
2) Design is about more than changing your perception; this study [www.treehugger.com] proves that good design is good for your health too. Conducted by Queens University researcher Karen Parent, the study of a new, well-designed hospital wing found that, among other examples, floors made of rubber or sheet vinyl reduce noise for patients. As a result, elderly patients, in particular, are less likely to need sleeping pills, less likely to suffer confusion because of the medications, therefore less likely to fall and, Parent concludes, more likely to have better outcomes.
3) This concept is well summarized by this discussion [www.treehugger.com] about “ethical design,” which makes asking the question “Is a green McMansion really green?” (for example) part of every design decision, architecture and otherwise.

4) “Design Like You Give a Damn” is a seminal work by Cameron Sinclair (the guy behind Architecture for Humanity), clearly summarizing the need to include “why?” in addition to “what” we design. The projects demonstrate ingenuity and cleverness about doing more with less, and efficiently living with less, and should be looked at as models for us all, for we keep thinking that “It can’t happen here” but as we have learned from San Francisco and New Orleans, it can and it will. Read our review [www.treehugger.com] for more.
5) As an example, check out how Architecture for Humanity’s work in Biloxi, Mississippi has exemplified how design can step up [www.treehugger.com] in the wake of a big disaster.

6) The Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum in New York recently hosted “Design for the Other 90%,” an exhibition that helps tackle a huge problem: Of the world’s total population of 6.5 billion, 5.8 billion people, or 90%, have little or no access to most of the products and services many of us take for granted; in fact, nearly half do not have regular access to food, clean water, or shelter. Read our review [www.treehugger.com] for more details, and take a closer look at one of the features, the Lifestraw [www.treehugger.com].

How can design make a difference in your life? Stay tuned for some more mainstream examples that you can incorporate into your life, later this week.