Architeutis

Belvedere for the blind

“Architeutis” is the scientific name of the giant squid. It means “master of the sea” and sounds quite similar to Architecture. The giant squid is a very mysterious animal: it is almost impossible to spot it at sea, in its natural habitat. It is definitely easier to find it in some fishermen nets or stranded on an ocean beach. They are out of scale animals, often reaching three meters in length, ten times more then common squids. For these outstanding features we used it as a concept for the project we developed for APAP 2005, the successful experimental urban renovation of the Anyang resort, which introduced art as a main re-balancing stretegical device. Our site was located at the main entrance and we used the giant squid as a symbol of the existing relationships we could already find in the area: the one between land and water, since the stream is the spine of the entire resort; the one between food and people, since everybody, although the sea is quite far, eats “Haemulpajong” [a fried pancake with squid and fresh vegetables], resting after an hiking day.

Our squid, made with steel and embossed Braille tiles provides benches, shelter and playful spaces, while the colorful tentacles lead the visitors up on the creature’s head towards a paradoxical “Belvedere for the blind”.

Gallery

Credits

progetto > ELASTICO [Simone Carena, Stefano Pujatti, Alberto Del Maschio] + Marco Bruno, Next Architects
localizzazione > Anyang (South Korea)
tipologia >spazio pubblico
superficie > 210 mq
cronologia > 2005
crediti fotografici > Giorgia Mannavola, MOTOElastico