Amy Carlson
maker / artist
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House of Ruth

 

House of Ruth: Lobby Installation

The House of Ruth Maryland leads the fight to end violence against women and their children by confronting the attitudes, behaviors and systems that perpetuate it, and by providing victims with the services necessary to rebuild their lives safely and free of fear.

In this collaborative project, Carlson worked with a group of artists to develop an installation for the House of Ruth’s new community center in Baltimore. The team included Darcy Argain, Rebecca Burr, Amy Carlson, Alex DiGiacomo, So Hee Kim, Rachel Rusk, Victoria Schultz, Fanni Somogyi, Cynthia O’Neill

The team worked together on ideation, construction, and communication with the House of Ruth staff. Carlson was responsible for designing digital models for fabrication, producing renderings for presentation, technical problem solving and resource management throughout the process.

The installation is in place, but official documentation awaits the public opening of the building.

Two spirals — one steel, aluminum, and copper, the other blue-dyed silk and rayon — spin out from the center of the room, suspended by steel wire.

Two spirals — one steel, aluminum, and copper, the other blue-dyed silk and rayon — spin out from the center of the room, suspended by steel wire.

Most metal and fabric pieces were digitally fabricated before being shaped by hand. All CNC files, parts lists, and specs given to vendors were sourced from this model.

Most metal and fabric pieces were digitally fabricated before being shaped by hand. All CNC files, parts lists, and specs given to vendors were sourced from this model.

Understanding the space was vital, since fabrication took place off-site. To ensure accuracy, the lobby was modeled in Rhino 5 from architectural drawings and on-site measurements.

Understanding the space was vital, since fabrication took place off-site. To ensure accuracy, the lobby was modeled in Rhino 5 from architectural drawings and on-site measurements.

The team generated several proposals and accompanying renderings. One favorite, which was not constructed, is this silk-shrouded mirror in a stairwell used by aggressors on their way to a rehabilitation program.

The team generated several proposals and accompanying renderings. One favorite, which was not constructed, is this silk-shrouded mirror in a stairwell used by aggressors on their way to a rehabilitation program.