Copyright © Common Sky at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, 2023, Studio Other Spaces – Olafur Eliasson and Sebastian Behmann.
Photo: Marco Cappelletti
Courtesy of the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, OMA, Cooper Robertson, and Studio Other Spaces.

Written by Wenjie (Demi) Zhao

"Common Sky", a distinctive installation designed by Studio Other Spaces (SOS) under the leadership of artist Olafur Eliasson and architect Sebastian Behmann, has breathed new life into the courtyard of the Seymour H. Knox Building. The artwork, a canopy of glass and mirrors, transcends the boundaries of sculpture and architecture, serving as a vibrant public space that echoes the Buffalo AKG Art Museum’s commitment to inclusivity.

As the name suggests, "Common Sky" celebrates the sky as a shared, global commodity. The installation, acting as an atmospheric lens, fosters a deeper connection between visitors and their immediate environment. As one wanders under the canopy, the fragmented reflections and shifting light patterns offer a playful, kaleidoscopic experience, a reflection of the changing seasons, cloud formations, and the dance of dappled sunlight.

“Common Sky is a dynamic, sculptural statement that combines a geometric language and a playful, poetic approach,” says artist and SOS co-founder Olafur Eliasson. He views the installation as an opportunity for visitors to become attuned to the world outside and engage with the environment of Buffalo actively.

The structure itself elegantly resonates with the surrounding elements of the AKG Art Museum, the park, and neighboring buildings. Sebastian Behmann, architect and SOS co-founder, describes it as a "site-specific artwork that amplifies the existing situation and combines it with the idea of a Modern courtyard." The work is accessible to all, and is imagined as a community hub for public events, transcending the conventional boundaries of an art museum.

Common Sky also pays homage to the history and legacy of the site. It captures the modernist architectural vision of Gordon Bunshaft, who designed the Seymour H. Knox Building in 1962, while invigorating the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Town Square as a dynamic epicenter for learning, creativity, and community engagement.

The canopy's geometry forms a trajectory across the courtyard, its pattern shifting from triangular at the edges to hexagonal towards the center. The design pays tribute to a lone hawthorn tree that stood in the courtyard in the 1960s, marking its location with a single off-center point of support. This distinctive column not only maintains an asymmetrical harmony within the space but also acts as a portal, drawing in sunlight, rain, snow, and leaves, integrating the outside environment with the building's interior.

Each element of Common Sky was meticulously developed specifically for the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, marking a significant milestone in the museum's 160-year history. The project is a part of the new master plan by Shohei Shigematsu of the architectural firm OMA, initiated in 2019.

The synergy of art and architecture in Common Sky emphasizes SOS's holistic approach in connecting architecture and art through interdisciplinary and experimental projects. The installation underscores the atmospheric and intangible qualities of Buffalo, while also honouring the original architecture of the Seymour H. Knox Building. The strict modernism of Bunshaft's design is harmoniously complemented by the organic shape of Common Sky, which resonates with the forms found in the surrounding Delaware Park and the city's intense weather patterns.

Common Sky not only reflects the sky but also the forward-thinking and innovative spirit of the city of Buffalo. It presents an imaginative use of architectural space to create an experience that is constantly in flux, mirroring the ever-changing patterns of the sky and the vibrancy of life below.

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