A software program inside an electronic kiosk in downtown Columbus can help residents offer a vision of tomorrow.
That’s part of the idea of "What If Columbus," one of 18 temporary architectural installations that will be a part of the Exhibit Columbus exhibition opening Aug. 23-24.
The Exhibit Columbus exhibition, titled “Good Design and Community,” will run through Dec. 1 with 18 temporary installations throughout the city. The free gathering, held every other year, focuses on art, architecture and design, and uses new, pop-up installations from the world’s leading designers to highlight existing structures and landscapes in a city known globally for its Modernist legacy.
In addition to that, Columbus’ architectural standing includes seven National Historic Landmarks.
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The New York City-based research studio Extrapolation Factory will house its electronic tablet software in a cast concrete post standing about six and a half feet tall at the corner of Second and Washington streets, according to Elliott Montgomery, one of the designers along with Chris Woebken. The firm coordinated a similar installation in conjunction with The Tech Museum in San Jose, California.
"But we always make a point to do something new and experimental," Montgomery said. "We never do the same thing twice."
He said local residents’ input perhaps could cover areas ranging from next-level transportation to new policies to fight inequality to elements of infrastructure. And he added that residents’ suggestions in the form of a few sentences or an image will be screened and forwarded to Mayor Jim Lienhoop’s office within maybe a day or so — "with the intention that this database of visions offers decision makers inspiration and insight into the public’s … futures," according to the studio’s description."
Lienhoop said he does not know how the suggestions will be organized at City Hall, saying he will probably be discussing that with Exhibit Columbus staff for assistance.
As its focus, the studio works with futurists and develops experimental methods for collaboratively prototyping and highlighting scenarios of tomorrow.
"We stress that we’re not ever attempting to predict the future," Montgomery said. "We’re just proposing ways of visions for possible futures. And we never use the singular term future, because futures always come in multiples."
Montgomery also said it’s best to get input on futures from a group of people with varied backgrounds and perspectives in order to balance views and visions.
Exhibit Columbus is a project of Landmark Columbus and a program of Heritage Fund – The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County.
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The Exhibit Columbus exhibition is a once-every-two-years display of a wide variety temporary architectural installations meant to highlight or somehow connect to nearby, permanent structures and buildings in Columbus.
The exhibition is set for Aug. 24 to Dec. 1 and is an exploration of art, architecture, and design.
Exhibit Columbus seeks to celebrate Columbus’ heritage while making it relevant in new and modern ways, according to organizers. It is the signature project of Landmark Columbus, which was created in 2015 to care for the design heritage of Columbus, and is under the umbrella of The Heritage Fund — the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County.
To learn more, visit: exhibitcolumbus.org
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