Pop-up Pirate Radio Tower | Adam Kalkin

A ‘pop-up pirate radio tower’, designed by US artist and architect Adam Kalkin, has been installed at the Victorian College of the Arts’ Southbank campus. This project is ongoing until end October 2011.

Pop-up Pirate Radio Tower by Adam Kalkin, image courtesy Raphael Kilpatrick

Renowned for elaborate designs utilising shipping containers, US artist and architect Adam Kalkin has created the “pop-up pirate radio tower” as a feature in the upcoming Mis-Design exhibition for The Ian Potter Museum of Art, Melbourne University and State of Design Festival.

Pop-up Pirate Radio Tower by Adam Kalkin, image courtesy Raphael Kilpatrick

The tower, an upended shipping container, stands over 12 metres high and will be fitted with an internal staircase and a fully functioning radio studio. The project is funded and presented by the Victorian College of the Arts, in collaboration with The Ian Potter Museum of Art, Swinburne University and RMIT University.

Pop-up Pirate Radio Tower by Adam Kalkin, image courtesy Raphael Kilpatrick

It’s a joy to be hosting such an irreverent architectural creation and we also hope it can enhance the conversation around the development of the Southbank Arts Precinct to become one of the great focal points of cultural capital in Victoria.

Prof Su Baker, Director of the VCA

Students from both the VCA and RMIT will work in collaboration with community groups to produce programs scheduled to air online and broadcast throughout the CBD via 96.9FM featuring commentary on the arts including design, music, dance and journalism. The daily radio programs will broadcast from 20 July until 24 September 2011commencing at 10am and surprise evening broadcasts occurring throughout.

Pop-up Pirate Radio Tower by Adam Kalkin, image courtesy Raphael Kilpatrick

The Pop Up Pirate Radio Tower is also an integral component of the Adam Kalkin Tennis Academy (AKTA), featuring in the upcoming Mis-Design exhibition at the Ian Potter Museum of Art, the University of Melbourne. The tower draws its inspiration from the mysterious late night radio station of Infinite Jest transmitting “spiritual tennis propaganda” throughout the AKTA.

+ Visit http://www.pirateradiotower.com/ for more information.

+ All images courtesy Raphael Kilpatrick