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The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, May 19, 2011
CASEY CHRISTIE / THE CALIFORNIAN
Katie Gilfoy’s “Amagertorv Study,” a depiction of a famous square in Copenhagen. Gilfoy is one of 10 artists whose work will be showcased in The Californian through June 16.
Where art, science collide Architecture student sets sights on enduring design BY JENNIFER SELF Californian lifestyles editor jself@bakersfield.com
I
t may seem odd that Bakersfield — a city that wins faint, if any, praise for its contributions to architecture — would nurture a talent like Katie Gilfoy’s. But maybe that’s how it works sometimes: If the thing you’re seeking isn’t readily available, you just go out and find it. With zeal. And that’s what Gilfoy has done.
The architecture student has made pilgrimages to study some of the most stunning buildings in cities and countries that lead the world in design: Sweden, Germany, Italy, France, Netherlands, Palma de Mallorca. But it was her time in Copenhagen, Denmark, that taught the Stockdale High grad that structures designed and constructed with vision, ambition and ingenuity become more than just places to live or work. They’re works of art. “Architecture is a way to explain a very literal idea through artistic representations that connect with an audience and evoke an emotional response — but unlike a pure work of art, a work of architecture eventual-
ly assumes a life of its own through daily connections and user relationships,” Gilfoy said. “An architect can never anticipate all of the uses his design will incite.” Though local architecture hasn’t been an inspiration (Gilfoy responded with a question mark to an email asking about her favorite Bakersfield building), she did receive invaluable training in her hometown that helped her launch her studies, first at Cal Poly SLO and now, as a masters of architecture student, at USC. “I came back to Bakersfield every summer to work for Ordiz-Melby Architects,” said Gilfoy, 23. “The OMA family gave me a wonderful opportunity to see firsthand
what goes into our local projects, and I am blessed to have worked alongside their team. “Bakersfield was a great place to grow up: I had access to an excellent education that prepared me well to succeed at the university level and beyond. Despite its significant growth, I always think of Bakersfield as having a wholesome, small-town mentality.” Gilfoy’s selection for Eye Gallery 2011 is one of several examples of how Bakersfield Museum of Art curator Vikki Cruz is trying to stretch the series artistically in its fifth year. The newspaper primarily has featured painters in the past, but a look at Gilfoy’s Please see GILFOY / 35