Notes from my Columbus Theory paper

images sponsored by a Graham Foundation Grant, 2001

These are more questions than answers, taken from my notebook...

Notes on the generation of ideologies and sympathetic form:

-IDEA:

-Pre-Columbus, the world / universe [defined as the physical 3D space we inhabit] was thought to be defined/limited to a flat PLANE.

In passing the edge, one would “fall off” the plane into some unknown void. It is both that particular conceptual VOID, as well as the designation and construction of the PLANE that intrigues me.

-D.P.

-Several of the early Digital Paper series begin to investigate the notion of the CONSTRUCTED PLANE [EDGE] and the hypothetical VOID. “Firesky” in particular  begins to deal with the notion of a constructed plane as a BOUNDARY for a known environment – the “world” now has a place where the assembly technique shows itself. In this particular drawing, the idea of the edge condition is revealed as the focus is about to “DOCK”. Here, the “world” is defined as a constructed planar element, complete with an inner and outer “skin” and support members, - the medium of the ARCHITECT (wall, floor plane).

In the case of “Landslide” [9/4/03 – initial on Motion], the plane manifests itself in two versions. One – the initial horizon is composed of a series of constructed pyramidal shapes – akin to an inverted space frame. But then, a second system of “reveal” is demonstrated, as the drawing itself is used to pull back a portion of the very digital “sheet” [is there such a thing?] on which it is drawn. Here, the constructed plane/horizon is a flat, graphically-impregnated membrane, the medium of the ARTIST [page, paper] or, a second layer of media of the Architect [drawing, communication].

-Would the more appropriate nomenclature for this ”event” be a description of the world-view [both literally & figuratively] at the time of Pre-Columbus? What would the proper time-period ref be? “Queen ‘x’ the ‘x’”? Perhaps “Pre-Columbusonian”. Was there a political view of that time that had a specific label? Was there a specific group that forced this view on the rest of the un-informed world? Who actually was responsible for the formulation of the original theory that the world/environment was actually flat?

How was this message propagated? How did it become an “accepted” theory? The name of this idea, although not as publicly accessible as a Columbus reference, might instead come from the originator of the FLAT idea.

Mac World leftovers

... the untold story...

or, maybe just imagery left over from my MAc World lecture in Jan. 08... either that were not used.. or that were concocted specifically for that venue [never before seen photos inside!!!].  

etc....

Mobile Gatherspace

Mobile-G as we affectionately call it....

The Mobile Gatherspace/Hybridmodel reflects the first attempt at realizing the potentials of 3D space based specifically on the "N"-dimensional constructs of the Digital Paper® Series. Multiple perspectival and overlapping orthographic manifestations within the same drawing provided an impetus from which to mis-extrude an experimental architectural condition[s]. Space was no longer conceived using typical 3D rational, because multiple spatial definitions existed simultaneously within each image. Though the notion of exploring a built form based on a perspectival reading is not new, we feel that the conditions formed within the virtual tablet environment promoted a unique view into multi-oriented space[s]. Since drawings are themselves "flat", there is a unique opportunity to explore the Dimensional Shifting as a response to the search for the "other side", the un-flat. As with any typical orthographic object, not all faces are simultaneously viewable. Though we experimented with the idea of seeing multiple views of distorted versions of the same form within the same drawing, the mechanism of the drawing itself prevents [to our delight] the true documentation of this multi-dimensional, fragmentation of architectural reality.

see also:

http://web.mac.com/form.u.la/FIEDAD2007/00.html

alter ego

some have asked, many have wondered... what DO you do in your spare time... ok, well, perhaps not.. but my other creative endeavor is my cover band, Alter Ego. We are pretty much a bar/party band, playing classic and modern rock ad blues.

I have been with them since January. Our most recent gig was at Original Mike's in Santa Ana [great food]... temp was a wonderful low 90s, with about a 95% humidity! We played at the outdoor set up this time.. and that heat was wonderful for keeping muscles limber [think: performing in a sauna]. We topped off at about 4.5 hours for the gig.. wanting to play more for the "encore", but we literally ran out of steam. 

Here is a link to our myspace page- check out the videos from this gig [shot on a digital camera with short video capabilities, thus the reasoning for the low quality of the image/sound]:

http://www.myspace/alteregorockband

Was a blast that day, heat and all. The audience was tremendous, as always, and helped drive the energy. I have always preached a strong tie between architecture and music, and in my case, drumming... the drum set is a 3D spatial exercise, not only in sound, but in geography and spatial composition.. I liken it [for me] to the personal space a dancer creates when s/he is moving and carving and building...

enjoy

on the boards

Monument / entry sign for the City of Santa Ana

Client is actually Truth Advertising... they approached us for a concept for an entry sign to the city... the response was to refute the typical "stone and wood' sign that permeates Orange County... and apply a fresh viewpoint.. keeping materials minimal and repetitive.. and speaking to the future, not the past...

Pneumatic legs allow for self-leveling [sloped site], to be anchored to circular concrete pads. Extended plane at base will wrap the trunk of an iconic Southern California palm tree [thus adding a vertical marker where we cannot place one that is man-made].

Triangular "road sign" panels will attach to the front, with the respective organization logo silk screened for identification. The simple contrast of OSHA yellow on the cool steel grey will provide sufficient visual anchor for the adjacent roadway [intersection of Main and the 5 freeway].

part of the Greensheet / kuzusurface explorations... more to come teaser text... later...

Book progress

With the help of Andrea Garcia, freelance editor extraordinaire, I am compiling data for our book proposal [working title "Mechudzu"]. We will be attacking publishers with a proposal hopefully by the end of summer, and are currently talking to [and looking for!] graphic designer[s] to help with the concept of the book as an idea. 

This is an ongoing and arduous journey, so I will update as things progress. My gratitude to Andrea for whipping me into shape, and for attempting to make sense of the chaos that is my studio/portfolio/backlog.

I will set up a set of images that document the "categories" of the book as it stands now [subject to change by the hour...]

ok... so Blogger is preventing me from uploading images... so we will just stay with text for now [why, oh why do they torture me so?]. ugh. technology. 

ok, now they mock me and allow my upload... never, ever let the blog script hear you think out-loud...

We prep for the Bartlett

Neil Spiller has invited us to lecture and install an exhibit of Form:uLA's work @ the Bartlett in the Fall. Our lecture is October 15 if you are in the neighborhood, with the exhibit opening that week [whenever we get it installed ]. 

We will  also be conducting a 2-day drawing workshop with the grad students. We are VERY excited and honored to be a part of this prestigious institution's pursuit of the act of architecture.

I will post  more about the topic of our lecture, "Presumption of Functionality... or the Deformation of Information [Architectural Graffiti]" ... as soon as we figure out what that means...

Hello World

Seedplanter / Placemaker graphic conversion

Intro post- I have been asked a lot for an easy[er] way to keep up with what we are doing... so I decided to "attempt" to maintain [a great word, especially if you know me] a blog spot. I will try to keep this somewhat current, and also use it as a way to graffiti portfolio my work, both in the studio, as well as with my band, Alter Ego.