Although you are more likely to see WJE's name on a construction sign than on an art gallery plaque, WJE's diverse expertise and capabilities have been called upon by the art world at various times over the years.
Recently, WJE's path again intersected with the art world when Jeff Caldwell (Unit Manager of WJE's Los Angeles office) was contacted to provide structural consulting services for Demon Hill #2, an interactive art exhibit by Los Angeles-based artist Julian Hoeber. Demon Hill follows in the American tradition of mystery spot roadside attractions. Billed as gravitational anomalies, visitors lined up to have their senses fooled in these off-kilter structures. Hoeber's mystery spot is a small elevated room that is set on a skew (the floor is constructed on a compound angle of 20 degrees in one direction and 9 degrees in the other direction) with a convex pyramid jutting from one wall, a mirror on the opposite wall to reflect the protrusion, and a simple plywood seat. The construction of the exhibit in New York required a licensed engineer to work with both the artist (in Los Angeles) and the art gallery (in New York) to develop design documents to meet New York City building code requirements.
The original version of the installation, which was showcased at UCLA's Hammer Museum in 2010, required a structural engineer to provide formal construction documents. During early discussions with Hoeber, he indicated that the engineer for the first installation had difficulty keeping the design simple, light, and practical. WJE's early involvement with the artist, working on small-scale versions of the project on weekends in Los Angeles, led to a more efficient design, which also helped the artist during construction. In addition to working with the artist in Los Angeles, WJE visited the art gallery to perform a brief review of the gallery floor to confirm as-built capacity for the art installation.
DH#2 was showcased in Harris Lieberman Gallery in New York City from September 6 to October 24, 2012.
Learn more about WJE at www.wje.com.