“Im/Print” is the 2023-2024 end of year show for the College of Architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology. It is a demonstration of curation, design, fabrication, and teamwork. Under the direction of their professor, students studying the topic of architectural installations and exhibitions utilized their research to create and curate the show.
The exhibition is comprised of two critical elements- box-like armatures for the display of work by reusing studio desks and a center core installation reflective of student impressions and expressions while also indicative of materiality as a landscape of colored paper printed with student headshots and statements of their journey in architecture. “Im/Print” is a duality of representation, displaying faces and written statement or rather, displaying student’s imprint…in print.
A series of grooved rods held sheets of colored paper printed with hundreds of impressions. Upon entry, one is greeted by headshots of students. Moving around the elliptical surface, one can enter a more intimate setting to read personal statements reflecting the architectural journeys of students. In addition, visitors can contribute their own experiences to a center shell with an integrated ledge for writing.
The main installation was constructed without any fasteners or glue for easy install and de-installation and reuse of materials. The paper and wood pieces were recycled back to IIT woodshop. Additionally, the armatures for display were created without harming the desk frames or tabletops- with a simple pin connection between the hollow frames of the desks, of which homosote panels were hung from.
