TrashTalk
OUTDOOR EXHIBIT DESIGN & CURATION - Case Study
For Red Bull's first ever North American Amaphiko Festival, I was tasked with creating a temporary outdoor public installation from 3 re-purposed shipping containers. In addition to this, I assisted the Red Bull team and featured social entrepreneurs by fabricating custom wood signage for their presentations on site.
The process began with designing the user experience, followed up by managing logistics and procurement, to the final installation of the containers on site.
TrashTalk really tested my ability to build solid relationships and clear communication strategies between my team, contractors, and friends. Although this was my second time using a shipping container, it was a much larger endeavor with shifting variables I had to quickly find solutions for.
Project Highlights
YEAR
2017
CLIENT
Red Bull Amaphiko
WEBSITE
SERVICES
Design, Logistics, Fabrication, Curation
Concept
An aerial view of the Red Bull Amaphiko Festival lot with container placement
I had the pleasure of assisting with Roberta Pardo of Urban Walls Brazil, in the curation of TrashTalk. The works on display included photos, sculptures, and digital media from Brazilian street artist Mundano and Baltimore Graffiti Photographer Martha Cooper.
Mundano
Mundano paints Mural. Photo (c) David Muse, Charm City Streets
The outer facade of the containers served as a canvas for Mundano and a handful of local graffiti artists.
MArtha Cooper
Martha Cooper at entrance to 'TrashTalk'
The interior of the containers showcased some incredible photos from Martha Cooper. I had the honor of assisting with the curation of these.
Attendees were treated to a 100 ft multimedia exhibit within the shipping containers.
Container Interior Entrance
One of several 'Pimp My Carroça' sculptures by Mundano, on display in the exhibit
Interior View
Photo via Urban Walls Brazil
The containers arrive! (Finally)
Throughout the procurement and planning phase, my motto became, "When in doubt ask questions!".
I found that most people are willing to point you in the right direction. Thankfully I was able to leverage the experience of professional crane and rigging experts to ensure smooth install and removal of these steel behemoths.
One of biggest challenges I faced was the tight window I had to pull this off. There was a unexpected delay with the container shipment the day before setup, the weather tore through the tents that same night, and we had to find a torch to cut through the steel on a Saturday.
Despite all those hurdles however, everyone pitched in and together we produced a great event.
Red Bull Amaphiko Festival Performance. Photo (c) Red Bull Media
TrashTalk and the entire festival really exemplified the grit and d-i-y culture that makes Baltimore such a unique place to be a creative. You can really accomplish great things when you have support from your local community.
Video
Fabricating Amaphiko signage at The Foundry