20060925
WEEK FOUR
The Movements - of crowds, dancers, fighters - recall the inevitable intrusion of bodies into architectural spaces, the intrusion of one order into another. The need to record accurately such confrontations, without falling into functionalist formulas suggested precise forms of movement notation. An extension of the drawn conventions or choreography, this notation attempts to eliminate the preconceived meaning given to particular actions in order to concentrate on their spatial effects: the movement of bodies in space. Rather than merely indicating directional arrows on a neutral surface, the logic of movement notation ultimately suggests real corridors of space, as if the dancer has been carving space out of a pliable substance’: or the reverse, shaping continuous volumes, as if a whole movement has been literally solidified, 'frozen' into a permanent and massive vector. - Bernard Tschumi, The Manhattan Transcripts
Build
Build the three moments of topological kinship that have been isolated in the previous assignment (B). Build from sheets of foam and in full scale relative to the Civil War equipment they are derived from. Articulate topological qualities and exaggerate spatial effects. Use both shades of green within each model to accentuate surface behavior. Pinch, bend, twist, fold, wrinkle the material; cut and glue very deliberately/cautiously. Use T-pins to lock in position, super glue few points only.
Generate a word list with operative terms and corresponding spatial effects, and parallel it with a built Assembly Diagram, 3-5 steps mounted on white background starting with the manipulated (cut, marked(!)) sheet.
Cut crease fold and glue a simplified paper version of each model. Use white heavy paper. Unfold the unit and study the manipulated sheet. Build an assembly diagram, how does it differ from its foam sibling?
Select a meaningful pattern from the previous assignment (B) and build the continuous interlocking field from either the foam or paper unit(s). Test gradual variation within the field, exaggerate.
Draw
Extend the family of artifacts and discover additional spatial effect. Consider a second, maybe third branch of different topological kinship, considering different scales. Invent a taxonomy for your collection of 16 items. Organize the artifacts, put them in relation and draw a Species Diagram.
The species diagram may or may not be based on the items’ actual evolution and their relation in design/ manufacturing history, but it considers their relation to the body, movement in space and topological identity. The Species Diagram is a structured nodal network that consists of simple drawings of the items, movement notations and linear vectors of connection. The visualized taxonomy is not limited to a tree formation. Logic of self-replication and similarity to re-writing patterns might emerge.
Calculate
Grow the Math Matrix of Parametric Variation. Probe the expanding Space of Possible Variation.
.: Jonas 6:55 PM
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