This past summer has been a major transition for me, and one that is still enduring. Displacement and estrangement feels like a never-ending theme, and I think about my past project in IV that explored affiliation through relocation. I figure it might be good to attach another write-up about IV. Below is a belated post from a draft I had written well over two months ago.
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In late August I attended the official opening of "the LOOP" in IV.
The LOOP boasts a new and affordable living space for Isla Vista students. It is also LEED certified, which means this building sucks up less energy and is able to sustain itself. Not bad, eh?
I received a second-hand invitation to attend the VIP reception that was located on the rooftop. The food was yummy (baguette sandwiches!!!) and I enjoyed looking at the metro modern & cheeky aesthetic of the building.
IV rooftop parties cannot compete with this one. The view is breath- taking.
There is a refreshing, vibrant, & energetic feel from the LOOP that I am curious about how it is doing today as housing for students. I hope that the LOOP will help bring out more arts & culture in IV, whether through possible programming for art projects or that it will provide more opportunities for commissioned pieces in/out/around the building.
The name itself references the shape of the downtown part of IV which curves in a loop. Like the trajectory of a loop, how can this new and promising building bridge art to the community, the community to its stake holders, the stake holders back to the building and its occupants?