Superscript is an experimental shade structure designed and installed at the 826LA literacy center in Echo Park. The installation culminated the several months of workshops focused on exploring new methods of fastening, folding and layering of Tyvek, a material most commonly used in house wraps and mailing envelopes. In collaboration with designer Kate Moxham, the entire piece, from prototyping to installation, was supported by the efforts of numerous volunteers from both M_A and 826LA.

The installation utilizes hundreds of Tyvek squares fastened to a braided stainless steel net that spans the center’s reading yard. That net is suspended from 8 dock whips, engineered to absorb the movement of the canopy and make adjustments and maintenance easy. The structure provides shade as well as creates a space that displays the benefits of 826LA’s literacy programs: the squares are perforated with short selections of student writings that come from the center’s workshops and tutoring. Those writings are revealed as the sun projects through the canopy’s suspended layers.

exhibition images

Kate Moxham trained as an architect and is currently a designer and artist working on small-scale public art and architecture installations in Los Angeles and New York City.

Crew: ‘Superscript’ was constructed by community participants. Thank you to all who joined in the constructive exploration: Becca Ansert, Jason Anthony, Scott Bailey, Kristy Baltezore, Daniel Beaulieu, Evan Braun, Anouk Braun, Bruce Chan, Jenna Didier, Stacy Doran, Mike Gerz, Laura Goard, Emily Goodwin, Vickie Griffin, Amelia Hazinski, Oliver Hess, Sandy Huse, Theresa Hwang, Brian Janeczko, Graham Keegan, Kate Keller, Cristina Kelley, Yasmeen Khan, Diana Kichler, Glen Kinoshita, Elana Koff, Jennifer MacLeod, Scott Mayoral, Devin McKeever, Matt Melnyk, Kate Moxham, Catherine Pack, Elizabeth Perikli, Cheryl Revkin, Nick Rodrigues, Carolyn Sams, Sasaki, Marya Villarin, Jackie von Treskow, Hale Youngblood.