W E A R E H E R E
Tagging identity has always been at the essence of inhabiting existing space. We can trace this linage back to the Caves of Lascaux, over 20,000 years ago. How do we mark and archive black existence, in the year of 2022? Our proposal for 7016 Wolcott aims to answer this question through new forms of black architecture. We use graffiti, one of the five pillars of hip-hop, as a conceptual frame work to guide our spatial and aesthetic decisions.
We started with a manta, “ W E A R E H E R E “. This manta acts as our linguistic and spatial keystone. From this keystone a structure is formed, while leaving room for evolution and intuition; driven by cultural and environmental cues. The plan moves and jives, floors begin to dance, walls begin to bend, and materials come to life with colorful expressions; all transforming in concert. The end product gives us a combinatory expression of blackness not governed by one ideology but many.
