KICKSTARTER

What is it?

The Sun-Bedazzler is a temporary installation and the culmination of my thesis research and design (Animating Residual Surfaces); a critique of conventional surface parking.  It will be exhibited (for one day only!) as a part of the PARK(ing) Day LA event happening on Friday, September 21st, 2012.

What is PARK(ing) Day?

PARK(ing) Day is an annual, open-source event in which citizens, artists and activists collaborate to temporarily transform metered parking spaces into “PARK(ing)” spaces or temporary public places.  The activities have evolved into a global movement, with organizations and individuals creating new forms of temporary public space in urban contexts around the world.

What is the Sun-Bedazzler?

The Sun-Bedazzler is an urban tanning salon--an intervention that launches an alternative to existing public infrastructures.  It is a place where you can check your makeup, people watch, listen to music, surf the web, wet your dog's whistle--while working on your tan!

It is a re-imagining of the surface parking typology, through which the local community of West Hollywood is established as a testing ground for an address of the current sociological debate over the definition of private space, green space, and open space in our car acculturated urban centers.

How's it all going to go down?

With the help of volunteers (VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!), I will design and construct the installation in Burbank, CA on the beautiful campus of Woodbury University.  When completed, the prototype will be transferred and assembled to a metered parking space by the Neil Denari designed l.a.Eyeworks boutique @ 7386 Beverly Boulevard Los Angeles on the day of the event where it will be displayed.  I will then investigate the neighborhood and its people and temporarily activate the urban space of Los Angeles (festivities and merriment to ensue).  If you're in LA, you should come and check it out!  At the end of the day, the installation will be disassembled and the parking space will be returned back to it's original condition.

How can I help?    

I have a small, limited budget and will need to triple that in order to realize the project in the best possible way!  I am in need of a financial boost to kickstart this project and help offset the costs of document printing, renting tools, purchasing wood and materials, fabrication, construction, component delivery, and exhibition installation.  I also need lots and lots of help reaching out to the public!

Concept and design is already underway!  Final construction will commence after my final thesis design reviews in August 2012.  

The Sun-Bedazzler is sponsored in part by the LA Forum via the John Chase Memorial Fund and with the generous contributions made by:

Thank you for your support!

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REWARDS!!!

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Duc (Joe) Le (b.1981) is a 2004 graduate of the Oklahoma State University School of Architecture program (BArch) and has worked at several, award-winning design firms in Washington DC, Kansas City, and New York.  He is currently completing his MSArch degree in Los Angeles, CA at Woodbury University.