FOLIUM (2010)

Evergreen Museum,
Baltimore MD

7’ x 8’ x 16’h
polypropylene, zip ties

Folium is the insertion of a new spatial device within the grotto on the northern edge of the Evergreen Museum gardens. The installation transforms the experience of the grotto at a local level, acting as a translucent lightwell to draw sunlight down. The bench at the base of the form allows visitors to be engulfed in the light-filled space.

Folium is at once object-like and spatial. The silhouette is glimpsed from various points in the gardens and the house, partially obscured at all times from the exterior, but glowing because of its materiality and form. Its marked difference from the classical grotto arch, and that it denies the traditional central axial view, encourages viewers to approach the grotto to investigate.

Project team: GLD (Joel Lamere + Cynthia Gunadi), David Costanza, Alex Marshall

Folium, glimpsed from outside the arched grotto entry. (photo: Will Kirk)

Folium, glimpsed from outside the arched grotto entry. (photo: Will Kirk)

Folium is light but rigid, it's form defined through curved origami. Made of thin polypropylene sheets, it is suspended from a simple frame atop the grotto.

Folium is light but rigid, it's form defined through curved origami. Made of thin polypropylene sheets, it is suspended from a simple frame atop the grotto.

A bench beckons. (photo: Will Kirk)

A bench beckons. (photo: Will Kirk)

Folium is an object on approach, a space upon entry, and when seated, an oculus toward the sky. The grotto's arched entryway re-appears as a new threshold, and as Folium's generative profile.

Folium is an object on approach, a space upon entry, and when seated, an oculus toward the sky. The grotto's arched entryway re-appears as a new threshold, and as Folium's generative profile.

Diaphanous materiality juxtaposed with the historic grotto's stone wall.

Diaphanous materiality juxtaposed with the historic grotto's stone wall.

Folding pattern, showing ridges, valleys and panelization.

Folding pattern, showing ridges, valleys and panelization.

A bench terminates the form and offers a place of respite.

A bench terminates the form and offers a place of respite.

Bench detail.

Bench detail.

Folium draws light into the dark grotto.

Folium draws light into the dark grotto.

Seated, bathed in light and veiled from the outside.

Seated, bathed in light and veiled from the outside.

Detail view showing panel lines and stitching pattern.

Detail view showing panel lines and stitching pattern.