On our Monday studio class, we were told that we were going to Hudson Yard. I was not too excited about it because I thought we were just standing outside and studying its structure, which I had seen it under construction for a while. I realized it was just recently open to the public when I arrived. I underestimated its beauty before I walked inside.
Here are some pictures.
I was amazed by how a system of a repetitive simple structure can form something like this. I appreciate the intricacy of the structure and its geometric beauty from any angle. Its reflective characteristic also bestows it another element of popular culture. People enjoy interacting with the beehive-like platform because they can perceive different views on each level and angel. The blue light on the central ground reunites the whole structure with a tint of blue reflection. I think I can also use this theme of applying simple structure in large scale in my intervention in Union Square. However, when I was walking down the stairs, I suddenly wonder the meaning of this beautiful landmark. Yes, it is a gorgeous sightseeing site and another landmark of New York City, but does it have really function as an architecture? Is it just artwork on a large scale? I was thinking if there are some local merchant stores on different platforms in the Vessel, it would be more interesting and interactive than just being an artwork.
In terms of my own experience of interacting with the Vessel, I was first clueless why people were looking at a circle with the blue light on the ground and taking pictures of the circle. Then I realized that they were on selfie mode so that they can capture the 360 views of the interior structure of the Vessel when looking up. Two elevators were also weirdly curved sliding up and down. I was excited to walk up the stairs and took pictures even though it is freezing, but I guess it would be a great place for summer. Higher and higher, surprisingly, I started to feel acrophobia even though I was usually not afraid of height. Standing on the top level, my fear of height reached climax because I think the rails are even low for short person like me. Especially when half of the support is glass. I was slightly worried about if this structure would fall or collapse because it is basically a hollow structure without much support. However, I think the transparency and reflective characteristics of the Vessel enrich its charm of the structure. I believe the triangular shape gives the hollow structure strong support.
