mark reigelman: manifest destiny!

'manifest destiny!' by mark reigelman in collaboration with jenny chapman and paul endres
photos by cesar rubio photography


brooklyn-based artist mark reigelman, in collaboration with architect jenny chapman, have conceived 'manifest destiny!'.
the installation, whose structural engineering was provided by paul endres, seeks out areas of unclaimed territory for establishing
a new home front in the remaining voids of san francisco, california. 

the project is a temporary rustic cabin which has been affixed to the hotel des arts, above and between other properties
in the city's downtown core. floating approximately 40 feet in the air above the restaurant le central, the work stands as an
anomalous-like outgrowth of the contemporary streetscape. the structure, which measures approximately W7 x D8 x H11 feet,
takes on a 19th-century architectural style. constructed from vintage building materials - it has a welded aluminium frame,
with an exterior finished with 100 year-old reclaimed barn board from ohio - the dwelling is meant to be an homage to the
romantic spirit of the western myth and a commentary on the arrogance of westward expansion. three curtained windows,
allow the interior space of the petite abode to be seen day and night, standing as a lonely beacon in the city's dense landscape.
3 x 4 foot solar panels located on the rear roof, charge during daylight hours in order to illuminate the cabin's interior by night.
weighing over 1000 lbs. the temporary site specific installation was commissioned by southern exposure and funded by the
graue family foundation. it remains on view until october 2012.



the dwelling floats approximately 40 feet in the air



general street view by day



general street view by night


construction and installation:

the house is composed of an aluminium framework which is clad in reclaimed barn board



completely the house



transporting the dwelling to the installation site



preparing to lift the house off the ground



the structure being raised off the ground...



mounting the home onto the side of the hotel des arts, above le central restaurant in downtown san francisco



drawing of possible installation sites



'manifest destiny!' installation



'manifest destiny!' 24 hours