HAMMER Conversation: Michael Rotondi & Pema Namdol Thaye, introduced by k.d.lang November 7, 2010

Architect and educator Michael Rotondi is the principal of RoTo Architecture, an award-winning firm that creates unconventional structures that aim to dissolve the boundaries between design, science, technology, and the fine arts. Rotondi co-founded Morphosis in 1972 and was director of the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc). A master of Tibetan art, Pema Namdol Thaye is renowned for his expertise in traditional Tibetan thangka painting, sculpture, and the creation of rare three dimensional mandalas. For more than 25 years, Pema has provided a vital contribution to the world’s understanding of traditional Tibetan Art. Rotondi and Thaye will discuss the design and construction of a 3-D mandala structure, reaching 90 feet at completion, which aspires to preserve and sustain sacred Tibetan artistic and architectural traditions within the rigorous design demands of Western building codes. The conversation will be introduced by singer, songwriter k.d. lang, who is deeply involved with Ari Bhod, an organization that works to preserve and transmit the legacy of the ancient Tibetan Nyingma tradition.

Official Website: http://hammer.ucla.edu/calendar/detail/type/program/id/643