Black Box

Photograph by Aishti, courtesy of Bernard Khoury/DW5.

Words from the architect

The black box is located next to a major department store on the northbound highway of Greater Beirut. The neighboring fashion retailer is a self-advertising 40x25 meters Corten steel box. In a context, saturated with billboards and signs wrapping the surrounding buildings' exteriors, we intend to highlight the black box's which was initially invisible from the highway due to its 20m setback.

Photograph by Aishti, courtesy of Bernard Khoury/DW5.

A steel arm projects 20m out of the main facade of the building in order to catch up on the setback and attain the highway. Within the structure of this arm, a large three-dimensional picture frame contains a graphic setting produced by the fashion retailer next door. During special events, the frame can house performances with live models. On the tip of the arm a 5x3m screen retransmits in real-time scenes selected from the interior of the black box.

Photograph by Aishti, courtesy of Bernard Khoury/DW5.

The tip of the arm is supported by a steel cylinder that contains a cash distributor. The assemblage of the installation recognizes and amplifies contemporary society's reliance on the trendiest fashions, latest entertainment venues and the facility of money distributors.

Credits

• Text: Bernard Khoury/DW5
• Photographs: Image 01 Bernard Khoury/DW5, Images 02, 03, 04 Aishti

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