Drawing inspiration from stepping patterns commonly found in Navajo blankets, Rafael de Cárdenas constructs a new retail space for OHWOW, the creative collective spearheaded by Al Moran and Aaron Bondaroff. The OHWOW Book Club is located below street level in a landmarked historic brownstone on Waverly Place. At 150 sq ft, this pocket-sized store was conceived by de Cárdenas to echo a classic black and white, pre-war NYC bathroom. Its shelving units appear stacked one atop the other and the negative space behind the shelves lends a floating sensation. A layered pattern of stream-lined brushstrokes on the walls, coupled with reflective angular mylar shapes and sharp fluorescent lighting give the space a sense of disorientation and chaos, fitting in OHWOW’s vision of creating a heterotopic arena for cultural projects.

VIEW ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Photo by Floto + Warner