Presidio Habitats was the first site-based art exhibition conceived for a national park. An international group of artists, architects, and design specialists were invited to submit habitat proposals for specific animal residents of the Presidio. From the 25 submissions received, 11 were selected as commission projects to be fabricated and installed in the Presidio landscape. The projects were situated in the Fort Scott District of the park with dramatic views of the Golden Gate. An indoor exhibition in a pavilion designed by Ogrydziak/Prillinger Architects provided background and context for the project, and presented all 25 of the submissions received.
The projects on view in the landscape were diverse in approach, material, and purpose. They ranged from a set of elegant blue-and-white glazed porcelain vessels conceived as habitats for the western screech owl by renowned Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, to a conceptual reintroduction of the extirpated desert hare to the Presidio through Nathan Lynch’s reimagining of Aesop’s hare and tortoise race.
Visitors on self-guided walks were invited to experience the habitat installations as well as explore the Presidio’s diverse landscapes — historic forests, a community garden and nursery, stunning vistas overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Golden Gate, stately historic neighborhoods, and a hidden creek.
In addition to the artist commissions listed below, proposals were presented by Jeffrey Berkus Architects, CMG Landscape Architecture, Topher Delaney, Design Ecology, Amy Franceschini with ALITE Designs, Anya Gallaccio, Fritz Haeg, Walter Hood, Michelle Kaufmann, Rigo 23, John Roloff, SIMPARCH with Deborah Stratman, Mark Thompson, and Bruce Tomb and David Tomb.
Presidio Habitats was organized by the FOR-SITE Foundation in partnership with the Presidio Trust.
- Ai WeiweiWestern Screech Owl Habitats
- Philippe Becker DesignWinged Wisdom
- CEBRASculpture Habitat for the Gray Fox
- Chadwick StudioHabitat for Anna's Hummingbird
- Mark Dion with Nitin JayaswalWinged Defense
- Fritz HaegAnimal Estates Snag Tower
- Jensen ArchitectsPatience
- Amy LambertPollen Balls Project
- Nathan LynchWhere Is the Hare?
- Ogrydziak/Prillinger ArchitectsExhibition Pavilion
- Surface Design Inc.A Habitat of Flight
- Taalman Koch ArchitectureOwl Dome
Related Media
- Installation Views
Ai Weiwei, Western Screech Owl Habitats, 2010 (installation view); photo: Monique Deschaines
Philippe Becker Design, Winged Wisdom, 2010 (installation view); photo: Monique Deschaines
CEBRA, Sculpture Habitat for the Gray Fox, 2010 (installation view); photo: Monique Deschaines
Chadwick Studio, Habitat for Anna’s Hummingbird, 2010 (installation view); photo: Monique Deschaines
Mark Dion with Nitin Jayaswal, Winged Defense, 2010 (installation view); photo: Monique Deschaines
Fritz Haeg, Animal Estates Snag Tower, 2010 (installation view); photo: Monique Deschaines
Jensen Architects, Patience, 2010 (installation view); photo: Monique Deschaines
Amy Lambert, Pollen Balls Project, 2010 (installation view); photo: Monique Deschaines
Nathan Lynch, Where Is the Hare?, 2010 (installation view); photo: Monique Deschaines
Ogrydziak/Prillinger Architects, Exhibition Pavilion, 2010; photo: Monique Deschaines
Surface Design, Inc., A Habitat of Flight, 2010 (installation view); photo: Monique Deschaines
Taalman Koch Architecture, Owl Dome, 2010 (installation view); photo: Monique Deschaines - In the Press
