December 2nd Critique- Pathways/Edges/Boundaries

Our final critique turned out very well. We laid our pieces at 8 am before the critique, and found a pattern that we were quite fond of. When the walk through happened, we got alot of feedback regarding how we should install them. Most people seemed to like the idea of keeping them above ground. Some suggested laying grass in between the borders, others agreed with our idea to lay pebbles. The audience seemed to love our designs for this parking lot. I am extremely excited to install and make this project work in the parking lot.

Pathways, Edges and Boundaries

For this project I was part of the Oasis group. After putting together a lengthy presentation about parking lot behavior and downsizing a 24 hour video to one hour and nineteen minutes, we finally got down and dirty with concrete. We came up with some ideas (many were rather literal, surprisingly). 

We originally desired to put furniture on our "island", however, after the class critique we all decided that furniture was out of the picture. We had also thought about putting a bird bath, but the class also ruled out water. After cutting out a bunch of inspiration pictures, as well as making some drawings and creating a 3D model, we decided to get going with out idea. 

The fourth picture is an example of one of the first pieces I casted. I cast concrete in a cardboard box, unaware that it had a dip in the bottom. When I took it out, It looked like that. It was a mistake, but I kind of liked it because it made me think of other possible textures, and it somewhat corresponded with the parking lot behind the oasis (the sidewalk between cars). 

Our group had decided to create a pathway mixing circles and squares, so we collected shoeboxes and carpet rolls and cut them to size. We got right to work with casting. We tried sawdust and woodshavings as aggregates, but eventually we ended up resulting to pearlite. 

After casting in many different shapes and sizes, we ran into a rather large speed bump. Yes, we had been  casting like crazy, but we got too far away from our original idea. We then had to regroup and come up with a new arrangement for these shapes. We got rid of the columns altogether and decided to create an edge rather than a pathway, though I suppose you could say that our idea creates an implied pathway. we decided to replace the continuation of the columns with the continuation of the edge. 

Though we had come up with a new idea, our exhibit model had already been made, so we will note in our presentation that modifications have already been made. That's design, right? As a part of the model group, I created our pathway and cut out several circles and squares to scale. After all our models we're finished, the exhibit group got together and took some time to plan out a strategic exhibit. We painted the panels, and then moved the three of them around several times to see where they looked good. Originally, we wanted to set them up so that they directed people walking into the building towards iarc. However, that setup did not favor a friendly presentation. Instead, we decided to create something like a box, and got rid of one panel. We hung all the drawings on the panels, as well as process pictures and throw-up sheets. On the main wall we have site plans, as well as the "table" (if you will) for the model. We also included seating for those favored guests.

Dialog: Elevations

These are 2 elevations of my final dialog project

Dialog: Plan

This is a plan view of my final Dialog project.

Dialog: Final Graphic

This is my graphic for my final dialog project. The words in the middle are all of the Gestalt principles that were incorporated into my model. I decided to use the batman symbol for my precedent, as I showed earlier in this sequence. My objective for this model: To divide a unified space into two unified spaces using only skewers. The model at the top is an example of how I connected my cards together.

Final Dialog Project

This is my final dialog project. Dialog is created in this project through the 2 identical adjacent spaces. My aim for this project was to create two distinct spaces using only skewers as a divider. By dividing using skewers instead of paper, it creates a closer connection between the two spaces, like two best friends telling eachother their deepest darkest secrets. The structure of this model is extremely important. Not only do the skewers on the sides create a bone structure, but they also further the dialog. The broken skewers mock the "breaking" (folding) of cards throughout the model.

In terms of Gestalt principles, dialog is created through proximity, pattern, closure, alignment and similarity.

Final Unity Project

This is my final Unity project. I chose this set for my photos because the wood in the project parallels to the wood base. Unity in this project is created by alignment, pattern, proximity, overlap and similarity; more specifically in the perpendicular intersections and the negative space.

Dialog Critique

1. How is dialog created?

I think dialog can be created in many different ways. In this project, for me, dialog meant "a conversation between two relative spaces using Gestalt or other "artistic" vocabulary (shape, size, contrast, etc.) For example, you could have one space inside another, two spaces adjacent to eachother, two spaces that are contradicting forms (a circle and a square), two spaces that are two different sizes, etc. Some people created a dialog using a base, or intertwining their two spaces to create one.

2. How is a sense of space/place defined?

 Space" the unlimited or incalculably great three-dimensional realm or expanse in which all material objects are located; extent or room in three dimensions (dictionary.com). 

There are many different ways to create a sense of space. However, I think that in order for a person to be able to interpret where the intended spaces are in this project, they must be somewhat obvious. For example, in my project, I created 2 spaces that drew the eye in order to emphasize my intentions. Once again, gestalt principles have a lot to do with defining a space in terms of concepts such as continuation, or closure, or alignment.

3. How is the idea of system generated?

In order to create a "system" all parts in a whole must relate. Even if all the parts are entirely different, so long as they are connected in the same way as the rest, they create a system. Presenting our unity projects and dialog projects together made alot of sense, because in order to have unity, there must be dialog. I never thought about what dialog is presented in my unity project, until after creating a model for the dialog project. I feel like the word "system", in this sense, goes hand in hand with the word "composition".

4. How does the joinery support the project concept/strategies?

In terms of the project concept (dialog) I think joinery definitely helps to define the particular spaces. In terms of strategies, joinery plays a huge role. Joinery is extremely important because not only does it complement the project, but it also creates a structure. For my project, joinery had to do with both concept and strategy. My skewers played a role in a rectangular shape of my project. However, the skewers were also set up to cut that rectangular form in half, defining two spaces. I also broke the end skewers to mimic the "breaking" (folding) of the paper.

5. How is scale utilized in the project?

Scale must be perfected in this project, because scale is a major factor in defining space. For example, there are small spaces in my project that are triangular, but they are so small compared to the intended spaces, that they seem irrelevant because their scale is off. it's also important for the scale of cards to be in relation to the scale of the skewers.

6. How do two-dimensional images add to the understanding of the project?

Perhaps in drawings it's easier to notice the intended spaces, whereas it could become quite confusing in actual 3D form. Images also portray concept and process, where it's easier to know what the designer was thinking when they designed their project.

7. How did the initial project idea evolve?

There were a lot of different processes in this project. Some people used precedents, and others based their projects on the exact definitions of "space" and "dialog". Lots of people picked out Gestalt principles before starting, while others just fooled around with the materials, and picked their projects apart afterwards. I wanted to relate my dialog project to my unity project since we would be presenting them together, so that was my motivation.

Dialog: Idea #3

This is my most recent model. I decided to make the top and bottom layers identical to create unity. I had two skewers on the top, two on the bottom, and six in the middle, and once again I was stuck with two left over. I wanted to avoid the issue I had with the previous model in terms of attracting unwanted attention. I decided to break the two skewers, and stick them in to create a rectangular shape. The broken skewers envelope my two spaces. I thought this was really cool, and I am thrilled about the elevation. The ends of the skewers are hidden, almost like they just disappear into thin air.

Dialog: Idea for a Graphic

I'm hoping this comes across as humorous. When asked to create a "practice" graphic, I was stumped. I was hoping that my end product would change so I decided to create my graphic based on a precedent: the batman symbol. I thought the phrase was quite catchy as well. I also incorporated some Gestalt principles into it. These principles give my model dialog.

Dialog: Idea #2

This was idea #2. I was actually trying to make a shape where only the base was similar to my unity project, and the two sides were flat. I wanted the skewers to, again, meet at the top... but the figure was too big. So I decided to go ahead and fold them all again, and I came up with this. However, I still did not feel right about the two skewers on the sides. I'm not sure if its conveyed well enough in this photo, but the skewers standing on the sides are necessary for structure, because they prevent the angles from folding on the sides. But I didn't like them there... they stuck out too much and attracted too much attention.

Dialog: Idea #1

This was idea #1, Strangely enough, it reminded me of the batman symbol. I wanted to mimic the folded paper used in my unity project, since the two would be presented together. Playing with the skewers, I ended up with a triangular form, and skewers going down the middle to separate the two spaces. I really liked the way all the skewers met at the top, and I was thrilled about splitting the spaces with the skewers instead of board. Obviously, this is a sketchmodel. I didn't want to waste bristol board so I used the bristol board from my unity project iterations.

Dialog.

We've been asked to create two spaces which have a dialog, with the same materials as our unity project. These two sketchmodels were just some ideas that I had in mind.

When I looked up the definition for dialog, I came across these two definitions- Dialog (as a noun): an exchange of ideas or opinions; Dialog (as a verb): to discuss areas of disagreement. For the first sketchmodel, I wanted to give a dialog to two contrasted shapes. I planned on unifying them by putting the triangular shape inside of the circular one. For the second sketchmodel, I wanted to put two of those stars next to eachother and create a connection with the skewers.

Both models were unsuccessful. For the circular one, I did not have skewers that were big enough to go from one end of the circle to the other. When I poked skewers through the stars, they completely lost their shape and therefore looked ugly.

Unity: Graphic

Like I said before, my aim was to create unity using significant negative space. In my graphic, I used pictures to convey my ideas, and I actually created a layer from my project to add on the top. In the left bottom corner, I cross the skewers in a perpendicular manner to mimic the perpendicular intersections in my final. For this project I used twelve 10" skewers, twelve cards of bristol board (each 4" x 6") and rubber cement.

Unity: Plan

This plan is of the iteration before my final. It's extremely similar, except for the fact that in my final, the skewers are not all on the same alignment.

Unity: Elevations

These are the elevations for my Unity Project. I decided to draw two instead of one because the sides are very different. If you were to look at the elevation of the front (the second picture) you would not be able to tell that my project was at a slant. However, looking at the first picture, one can notice that my project sits on a slant.

Unity: Contour Drawing

This is a contour drawing of what my final Unity project looks like. I tried to give this one some depth, so that one can perceive the layers in my project.

Unity: Gesture Drawing

This drawing is just a quick representation of what my project looks like from the front. There is no depth.

Unity Project: Comparison to Another.

A major part of my project is movement. When pushed or pulled by the skewers, it can be slanted four different ways, and move back and forth, like the contents of a pop-up book. The folded papers, like an accordion, are folded in a way that if they were pushed together, they would fit like puzzle pieces. Negative space is also a significant concept in my project. The space in between the layers is the space that creates unity, as well as the perpendicular crosses that my skewers make. My skewers are poked carefully through the bristol board to give my model structure. IN order to make them perfectly straight, I drew a grid on each row of cards and then measured out where I planned on putting the holes.

I'm going to compare my project to Cat Maynard's. Like mine, her project moves. If you lift up the excluded skewer, the top part of her project rotates and fits, like a puzzle piece, into the bottom of the project. Her board is layered, like mine, to create significant negative space. Also, looking at her final project, I saw that she created a grid to make her holes, as did I. In order to make my skewers straight across the layers, the holes had to be perfectly lined up. Her craft is insanely accurate and flawless. i think we made our holes the same way, but I should definitely use her model as an example for my next project in terms of craft.

Unity Project: Final

This is my final. After trying to think of many ways that I could switch up my project and make the change from my first model even more dramatic, I ended up with the same project as idea #3.

I even tried making the model without gluing the cards together, but all structure was lost, the rubber cemented cards really help the overall bone structure of the model.

This is just a cleaned up version of #3. I used a drill bit to make the holes instead of a mechanical pencil tip, and i sanded the holes as well to make them as clean as they would get.

Negative space is the main focus in all of these models. The lack of subject in this space draws the eye. In my model, there is not unity in one place, but in many. Unity is all over.