http://www.indiegogo.com/Winter-Garden?a=337829
Last January, two Israeli architects, Roy Talmon and Noa Biran won the 2011 "Warming Huts - Art + Architecture competition on ice", for their design for world's longest natural skating trail in our city, Winnipeg. (Manitoba, Canada.). Talmon and Buran conceived of the "Woodpile", a unique shelter for the Assiniboine Credit Union River Trail.
This year, the architects have a new project for Winnipeg entitled WINTER GARDEN, which is designed to make a picturesque garden of trees planted on the frozen icy river trail.
Last year in 2011, the competition called for collaboration between artists, architects and designers to put forward ideas for temporary shelters that would provide resting spots along the skating trail.
As Talmon says, “When we approached the competition's task, we realized that the most basic act of warming is starting a fire. 'Woodpile' is therefore all about that - it was designed as an inner space with a fire pit at its central core while its peripheral walls were designed as wall frames in which firewood was stacked. The use of the firewood through the skating season constantly changes the hut's appearance and spatial qualities as its inner space is gradually revealed. The huts facades reflect the effect of its users and of time in its design.”
Woodpile was installed between January and March 2011 along the skating trail on Winnipeg’s frozen Assiniboine River. The two Israeli architects arrived in Winnipeg after winning last year's warming huts competition, when they were invited to supervise the last week of the WOODPILE's construction and participate in the inauguration of the hut in January 2011.
In order for this year’s WINTER GARDEN project to become a reality, Talmon emphasizes that he has to fundraise $5000.00 for the project and hopes that readers will consider contributing to it. Readers can learn about the project's fund raising http://www.indiegogo.com/Winter-Garden?a=337829.
When asked what motivated the design for this year’s project WINTER GARDEN, Talmon says,
”Our visit to Winnipeg during last year has deeply inspired us. What someone from Winnipeg might take for granted - snow in various shapes and frozen rivers - for us, arriving from such a different climate as Israel's, was overwhelming.It made a strong impression on us. That's what stimulated us, when a few months ago we came up with the idea of WINTER GARDEN - an art installation in which an artificial grove of trees would be placed on top of the frozen river, as if "planted" on the ice. This surrealistic juxtaposition will create a surprising and picturesque scene, emphasizing the transformation of water into solid ground at winter times.
“Naturally, our first thought was to realize it at Winnipeg's Assiniboine Credit Union River Trail.
We contacted our colleagues at the Forks Foundation (which maintains and operates the trail), that were happy to give their support but could not take over the entire expenses of the installation.
“That is why we launched the fund raising campaign,
Talmon adds that the WINTER GARDEN installation is unique in the fact that it is not just an art-to-see, but first and for most a public, open space event designated for the people of Winnipeg. WINTER GARDEN will be integrated with this season's skating path.
“Along with its visual ‘impact, Talmon says WINTER GARDEN will be “a node of occurrence along the trail - a place for skaters to stop, meet other skaters and play while skating between the trees.”
The two Israeli architects will be arriving at the end of January in order to build "WINTER GARDEN",
“That is off course in hope that the fund raising campaign will succeed in raising the budget for making the project a reality.”