Life Section Studio

Life Section Studio

portfolio of works by Elisabeth Vitswamba


competition entry for Sukkah City NYC 2010 completed with Petra Bogias and Andrea Soto

The urban sukkah is a refuge in the city: a place where one can observe without being observed and perceive the city in a new way. It transmits a feeling of togetherness of those inside and unity with nature and the surroundings. The 0 1|2 Sukkah performs the simple action of pushing the earth down and lifting a light layer up. An in-between space of pause is created that hovers over an area untouched except by nature, and acts as a buffer to the urban bustle.

Designed by intense material exploration, the veil is made from waxed, laser-cut grass fabric modules that form a woven matrix across the expanded field. The veil sits on a web of fishing line that is supported 2' off the ground by clusters of thin wooden pegs. When seated in the sukkah one can see the fabric above and the sky beyond. Standing up, one gets a glimpse of fabric meeting ground, meeting trees and the city beyond.