Superscript

an Installation for 826LA
February 28 - May 29, 2011

Superscript is an experimental shade structure designed and installed at the 826LA literacy center in Echo Park. The installation culminated the several months of workshops focused on exploring new methods of fastening, folding and layering of Tyvek, a material most commonly used in house wraps and mailing envelopes. In collaboration with designer Kate Moxham, the entire piece, from prototyping to installation, was supported by the efforts of numerous volunteers from both M&A and 826LA.

The installation utilizes hundreds of Tyvek squares fastened to a braided stainless steel net that spans the center's reading yard. That net is suspended from 8 dock whips, engineered to absorb the movement of the canopy and make adjustments and maintenance easy. The sturcture provides shade as well as creates a space that displays the benefits of 826LA's literacy programs: the squares are perforated with short selections of student writings that come from the center's workshops and tutoring. Those writings are revealed as the sun projects through the canopy's suspended layers,

Kate Moxham trained as an architect and is currently a designer and artist working on small-scale public art and architecture installations in Los Angeles and New York City.

Let's build something beautiful!