Invisible graffiti Surface Regeneration
Alessia Giardino
Materials exploration in urban context. Â
How can pollution and weathering become part of the texture and surface design in the context of urbanism and architecture?
Context Urban Decay
77% of global emission is made by gas exhausted from vehicles. NOx and acid rain, part of air pollution, affect the quality of the urban environment and life cycle cost of the buildings, causing decomposition of their color and material compounds. Their effects are visible on monuments, public spaces, exposed infrastructures, but invisible on human health!
Airborne particles are impossible to quantify ! They have the largest impact on human health, but immeasurable effect, due to their invisible and intangible nature.
The development of innovative materials that can be easily applied on facades, with both de-soiling and de-polluting properties would be a significant step towards beautification of cities and improvement of air quality.
PICADA project ( 2002-2005)
Creative response to urban decay
Integrating art to “complete� urban scenarios
Ghost Buildings shadow wall graffiti
Swoon
Urban scenarios influencing and affecting arts
Catherine Bertola, Scratching at the surface
Jenny Bergstrรถm, This is the air we breath
Reverse Graffiti: Clean Green Street Art
..“Cleaning” is not a crime. What is a crime is the environmental damage caused by unashamed pollution…. ..” there was only one way to prevent me to “cleaning” my way, and that was for the State to clean up too! And they did!!” Alexandre Orion
Alexandre Orion. Skulls, on our urban interpretation of pollution
Moose : environmentally friendly urban spray art
How can visual communication adopt innovative materials and techniques in public spaces?
Polluted pattern
Materials and techniques Photo catalysis mirroring the process of Photosynthesis
Uses UV light to decompose dirt and pollutants in the air
Transform them into harmful substances, preventing to accumulating on the surface Improve the air quality
Materials research and tests Application of photo catalytic coatings through textile techniques
Original surface
Polluted pattern
Negative screen printing, stenciling. 1 month exposure
• The Pattern is revealing itself through contact with ambient pollution. • The nano-coating is preserving the masked area, keeping the surface clean • It is also “eating” pollution in the air around, acting as a hoover.
It has been proven that 1000 sqm of faรงade covered with the same paint has the equivalent effect of 70 medium deciduous trees
Poisoned net.
Surface Regeneration Aims and objectives
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Design innovative, environmental solutions to urban decay (buildings, public spaces);
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Reappropriate the negative elements associated with 21st century cities (draw decoration through pollution)
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Convert urban inert surfaces into active ones
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Design, through materials, an innovative aesthetic for public space
Polluted pattern
Positive and negative screen printing with Photo catalytic paint
Samples currently showcased at Materia, Netherlands
Wrapped Door
Wrapped door. Pollution is defining a lace-like pattern, also the metaphor of the poisoned air which surrounds our cities daily and affects our health
Concrete Wallpaper
Marketestate project . London 2010
Photo catalytic cement screen printed on the wall
Naples January 2009
Invisible graffiti
Photo catalytic spray
Keep off wet pollution on the wall Poisoned net do not break!
The idea behind this intervention is to make the message gradually appear in a very polluted environment, bringing meaningful information to the citizens through metaphor. The message left by ‘graffiti’, via the adoption of photo catalytic spray for stones, metal and masonry, is humoristic yet makes a political and ecological statement.
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Make visible the invisible Promote awareness for people air quality Find out if visualization of pollution could trigger more ecologically responsive behaviour
Thank you