CULTURALDC CELEBRATES FIRST ART TANK PROJECT: ARCHITECT HIROSHI JACOB’S STAIRCASE AT DITTO’S NEW OSLO BUILDING
WASHINGTON, DC – On September 12, 2018, Ditto Residential opens its third co-living building called OSLO. Located in Adams Morgan, the new apartment building features a multi-level staircase with elaborate metalwork. This functional art installation was designed by architect Hiroshi Jacobs for CulturalDC’s ART TANK program. Earlier this year, Ditto Residential commissioned the piece to activate the main corridor adjacent to the community courtyard of the 8-unit building designed by McInturff Architects. The celebration will honor Hiroshi and the work of fabricators at Elemental Metalworks’ completion of CulturalDC’s first ART TANK project.
OPENING PARTY
Join CulturalDC, Hiroshi Jacobs and Ditto Residential for a ‘popsicles & beer’ opening of OSLO (1708 V St NW) on Wednesday, September 12, 2018 from 4-8pm. Free event, all are welcome.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
In April 2017, CulturalDC hosted VISIONDC, Arts and Urban Innovation Summit, bringing together artists, real estate developers, policymakers, business leaders and the public to consider the creative trajectory of growth in the District.
VISIONDC facilitated Washington’s first ever ART TANK, an initiative inspired by ABC’s popular television show, “Shark Tank,” to showcase local artists’ groundbreaking arts project ideas for developers to bid on in real-time.
One of six companies, Ditto Residential successfully bid on a project by Hiroshi Jacobs. The unveiling marks the first completed installation of an ART TANK project, coinciding with CulturalDC’s 20th Anniversary.
“For 20 years we have brought artists and real estate developers together, ensuring that high-quality art is an integral part of new spaces. ART TANK is a key initiative as part of our commitment to supporting local artists.” said CulturalDC Executive Director Tanya Hilton.
"It is rare for an architect and artist such as myself to be afforded the opportunity to make art out of architecture. My work typically focuses on people and movement, and as the sculptural centerpiece of the building this staircase is a perfect embodiment of my creative pursuit. I'm very grateful to Martin and his team at Ditto Residential for their trust and commitment to bringing this project to life, and my deepest gratitude to Elemental Metalworks for their tireless efforts to make this work as good as it possibly could be!" said artist Hiroshi Jacobs.
“Hiroshi has been a terrific partner and collaborator,” said CEO Martin Ditto. “We’re very proud to have his work incorporated into such a prominent element in the building. It looks awesome.”
ABOUT HIROSHI JACOBS
Hiroshi Jacobs is an artist and architect based in Washington, DC. He is the founder of HiJAC, a trans-disciplinary design & research art collaborative, and a practicing architect with STUDIOS architecture. His designs and artwork have appeared in numerous publications and exhibitions, including Surface Magazine, Businessweek, Harvard GSD Platform, DesCours New Orleans, La Biennale di Venezia, (e)Merge, and the Harvard Arts First Festival. Additionally, Hiroshi was selected as an outpost of OfficeUS for the American pavilion at the 2014 Venice Architectural Biennale. He is a member of the AIA|DC Design Excellence Committee and co-chair of the AIA|DC Technology Committee. Hiroshi received the 2012 Emerging Architect Award from the Washington DC chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and the 2014 National AIA Associates Award.
ABOUT CULTURALDC, “WE MAKE SPACE FOR ART”
CulturalDC celebrates its 20th year of creating affordable, sustainable artist spaces in the Washington, DC, area. Since 1998, CulturalDC has brokered more than 300,000 square feet of artist space, including the Arts Walk at Monroe Street Market, Atlas Performing Arts Center, GALA Hispanic Theatre, Source Theatre and Woolly Mammoth Theatre. CulturalDC’s Mobile Art Gallery is DC’s first moveable artspace and a commitment to bringing high quality art to communities. Each year, CulturalDC serves more than 1,000 artists and welcomes 40,000 audience members and participants who patron local businesses and contribute an estimated $1 million to the local economy.
ABOUT DITTO RESIDENTIAL
Based in Washington, DC, Ditto Residential is a leading real estate development firm focused on high quality, design-driven development. Started in 2008, the value of the company’s current pipeline is $130 million, which includes 334,000 square feet and 250 units of new development in some of the city’s most dynamic neighborhoods. OSLO is a co-living concept the firm established in 2014. It is currently the largest co-living brand in Washington, DC.