mark reigelman fills the voids of unclaimed territory with manifest destiny! 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 dwelling floats approximately 40 feet in the air

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.

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