U7K55
Sustainable Kiosk System
A Hybrid Shelter / Social Nexus
U7K55; Kiosk is a multi-faceted shelter hosting a variety of services and access points, including shelter. The formal structure of the kiosk was chosen because, I believe, that it is the most universal informal structure that promotes social survival. The kiosk will operate as a flexible use structure, a central nexus for information gathering and dispersing, a place of exchange, a social gathering location, first aid station, and on.
The Kiosk operates entirely on solar power, independent of the gallery space, using two solar panels and batteries, to run lights, timers, communications, rechargebles, etc. The Kiosk is also equipped with enough survial gear to sustain an individual with several months of sustinence, possibly more with resourcefulness.
Solar-powered greenhouses will hopefully grow vegetables and herbs that will serve as part of the commerce available at the kiosk. Other essential products (soap, wax, wine chocolate) will also be available.
As part of the ongoing performance of the shelter, vegetables not sold will be made into soup, available free to the public on Friday nights, who are invited to participate by bringing supplimentals to richen the soup.
Original Schema
Friday Thin Soup Nite
U7K55
May 30 Menu
Lentil + Barley Soup
with garen fresh Spinach
Saltine Crackers Will Be Served
at the Mills Gallery
Boston Center For The Arts
Thin Soup Nite - May 16 2008
Thin Soup Nite - May 9 2008
Thin Soup Nite - May 2 2008
local tofu
Guests enjoying free soup.
full service kiosk at the opening
Outside the Mills Gallery, Boston Center for the Arts
solar panels and beehives
fully stocked
U7K55
in Utica New York
As part of the documentation process of this project, we have been collecting the assorted questions asked by guests to U7K55. This is an abridged and edited list of questions posed to me on the public Thin Soup Nites.
Are you the artist?
Did you use boullion?
Would you add anything to the soup? old shoes?
Would you be picky? What if someone brought you rotten food?
How did you get inside the structure?
May I come in?
Is this part of the show?
Are you cooking on solar?
To what does the name of the piece refer?
What have people offered in trade? Are they serious offers?
How did you learn construction techniques?
What does the stove run off?
How are the lights powered?
Are you an Artadia winner?
What kind of chocolate is in the bars of chocolate?
Where is the greenhouse?
Do you travel with the structure?
Does it travel?
Was the kiosk in antarctica?
Is it shelter?
Do you live in it? Can you live in it?
What was your last project? Did live in it?
Did you make the soap (referring the beeswax)?
Did you make the chocolate?
Are you a Boston-based artist?
Do you sell wine?
Are you a commercial arm of the gallery?
What do I want to trade?
Do I owe you anything?
How do you learn to build the structure?
How did you learn about hydroponics?
How long has the structure been installed? How long will it be up?
Did you make the soup?
How does your piece fit into the Bitter Melon piece?
Are you here only Friday nights, or is the performative aspect of the piece more involved?
Does any of the soup ingredients come from Berkeley Street community garden?
Do you have bees? Are there bees out front?
What is Artadia?
Why does it say 'I want a goat'?
more questions will be added from the next Thin Soup Nites.
See you there!
