Brick and Balloon is a venture that aims to investigate  architecture, drawing and theory.

The supposed solidity of architecture is represented by  bricks, while the apparent abstraction of theory is represented by balloons.

They are linked by the simultaneous act of the brick grounding the balloon in lived reality and the balloon lifting the brick into conceptual analysis.

    news

29 Nov 2012: Fragments of Icarus, Act 2, TestBed 1 opens at 33 Parkgate road, London, SW11 4NP

20 Oct 2012: Omar Ghazal and Ace Morgan built the Button Box at the Group 41 event for the Bloomsbury Festival

20 Aug 2012: Building the Bloomsbury A Boards for the Bloomsbury Summer Fete

14 Jun - 20 October 2012: A new exhibiton Manual Caff exploring a new interchange between frequenting a café and visiting an exhibition. SSE Space, 40 Store Street, Lodon.

11th Dec 2011: The Future Past Symposium, Vyner Street Gallery, E2 9DG. 12:00-3:00

Oct 2011: RIBA Open Exhibition. 

Sep 2011: Lines: Exhibition of Original Architecture Hand Drawings. 

Aug 2011: Art and Architecture Exhibition, Candid Arts Trust,  Angel, London. 

Jul 2011: Utopian Arts Fest, The Parlour Gallery,  Kentish Town, London , Curated by Daniel Barnes. -  2nd Prize by Public Voting. 


   icarus


As we experience architecture, we are provided with a framework for action and inhabitation, just as a script provides actors with direction for their movement and dialogue. Involving 41 architects and artists, ‘Fragments of Icarus’ is a project divided into four acts. The process explores models of collaborative practice and proposes a structure for mutual exchange. The result intends to test architecture’s ability to manipulate its inhabitants, whilst exploring a new method for the construction of filmic narrative.



 

  a boards


As part of Bloomsbury Summer Fete in Bedford Square, Omar Ghazal  and Manual Caff built two site specific A-Boards currently installed in  the Square. These rather large A-Boards have been designed to fulfill traditional signage function, while continuing Manual Caff's exploration of bringing an alternative imagined reality to life. One side of each board will advertise Bloomsbury Summer Fete; a mural depicting an alternative present will be drawn by Omar Ghazal on the other side of the boards. The A Boards will appear in Bedford Square from Monday 13th August for 5 days. The artist will populate the boards in situ during the course of the week.

We have used recycled timber from the British Museum deveopment site in Montague Place,

and wish to express our thanks to MACE Group for supplying the timber. 

manual caff

A new project by Hugh McEwen and Omar Ghazal plays on the function and scale of the café, exploring their shared interest in breaking down the contemporary role of representation in architecture. The Manual Caff is an imagined alternative café that leaks into reality by introducing handmade objects to the real space while depicting elements of the real café in the works created for its walls. These include vibrant drawings, an architectural elevation and a staged, site-specific photograph by Marcus Andrén. A series of events including performances and videos directed by Marie Senney will be an integral part of The Manual Caff. The project will be documented at manualcaff.co.uk as it progresses, and a manual and catalogue will be published as the exhibition closes.