Frank and Matilda

My gracious friend has allowed me to use his balcony as an experimental site for Pigeon Cohabitation and Guano Collection. Since the summer, the one Pigeon that used to hang out on his patio furniture has found a mate and seems to be looking for some good digs.

Que the Pigeon Pod…

“Frank” and Matilda” (these first home buyers) will receive their first home sometime in the next couple of weeks. As rent, (this concept is purely Natalie’s), they will pay by guano droppings in which we will harvest and prepare for fertilizing our herb and vegetable gardens. If you live in Toronto, and wish to purchase this precious fertilizer, get in touch!

Photo by Dylan Pask

The Bird Game

My 10 year old nephew and I have begun researching for our Bird game that we are planning on creating for the iOS platform. We started brainstorming ideas last summer and are now in the process of choosing species and regions. For the Pigeon Studio, this initiative is a compelling way of bringing awareness of biodiversity through short play experiences. I think for Keoni, he’s excited to share the amazing abilities of birds – whether it’s high speed flight (Peregrine Falcons) or tight agility (Crag Martins), his passion and enthusiasm says it all!

These are some of the notes from our last skype meeting (yes meeting, Keoni is the real deal), that highlight 3 – 4 species from different regions around the world.

For the settings or “worlds”, we’re looking at using Keoni’s superb drawings, since it’s a no brainer and they are absolute gold + diamonds…

Where Architecture + Nature meet….

Here’s a peak of the collaborative Animal Cohabitation Architecture project I’ve been busy with….the visual articulation of a organic structure below, represents the site for both human shelter and animal habitat.

To quote the eloquent and brilliant mind behind this work, Italian Architect Mirko Daneluzzo,

“the structure is neither architecture nor nature, it is in between”

Growing Habitat

(Pordenone Structure)

Swallow’s Nest

This gorgeous Swallow nest is a combination of dried grass and mud. Swallow’s build their dwellings on ledges or straight-up inner corners of structures or balcony’s. They will have 4-5 eggs in a clutch, both parents care for them.

Migratory Birds of Italy

I’m currently working on a wonderful Architecture project involving the understanding of migratory birds in North East Italy. Some of the birds I’m studying are incredibly agile and fast fliers – which has a lot to do with their food source – flying insects.

Here are a few samples of these magnificent animals. (The Martin’s are the fastest of the group..)

 

Squirrel Nest!

Check out this lovely little Squirrel’s nest right outside of my work’s kitchen window. The little guy looked pretty cozy wrapped-up in bright green leaves – and if you look closely, you can see his/her fur pressed up against the glass. This kind of animal cohabitation visibility is a strong reminder that our buildings (ledges in this case) and unused spaces are opportunity spaces for other species. Imagine if we had this visibility with Pigeons, Raccoons and House Sparrows? I wonder if we’d be more mindful and aware to how biodiverse cities really are? Or, I wonder, would it go the other way?! (..don’t really think I like that thought…)

Human Urban Bird: Jeremijenko + Haque

Education on how to be a bird at Flightpath Toronto during Toronto’s Nuit Blanche Contemporary Art Event.

Check out the equipment!

Flightpath – Toronto’s Nuit Blanche

If you’re in Toronto this Saturday night, you won’t miss the magic of Nuit Blanche. This annual Art Installation is made of many pieces and projects that look to explore, engage and inform the public in mystifying and meaningful ways.
An installation to visit and experience is Flightpath Toronto at City Hall. This piece is a manifestation of the working mind of my friend and mentor, Natalie Jeremijenko, whom I “Pigeon Fellowshipped” with at NYU a couple of years back.  She has teamed up with Usman Haque to create the ultimate Urban Flight experience – urban flight education and zip lining (with poportionate bird wings) around Toronto’s City Hall. As an Urban Dweller, this installation allows you to participate and experience air space as public space. This piece will no doubt open up the conversation on what it means to have non-emission travel in the system of a city…and from where I stand, it will also allow the participant, through flight, to become more aware and possibly even connect with our winged-urban neighbours…

Pigeon Fertilizer Collection

Here’s a peek of what I’ve been up to lately!