[bioundgrd] Fwd: New Class! Art and Architecture Workshop

[Janice Chang]

>Subject: New Class! Art and Architecture Workshop
>Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:35:05 +0000
>
>New class co-taught by faculty of MIT Program in Art, Culture and 
>Technology (ACT) and Architectural Design
>4.S30 Special Subject - Object Geographies: Dis-assembly / 
>Re-assembly Workshop in Art and Architecture
>Meets MW 2-5p in E15-207
>U-Level; G-Level as an Independent Study
>First Day of Classes: W 2/8
>Instructors: Joel Lamere (Architecture), Azra Aksamija (ACT)
>for more 
>information: <mailto:azra at mit.edu>azra at mit.edu, <mailto:jlamere at mit.edu>jlamere at mit.edu
>.................................................................................
>
>The discrete space occupied by an object conceals its global reach 
>and impact. The myriad objects found at every intersection in every 
>city - from consumer goods to architectural interventions to urban 
>infrastructure - define and characterize the "local" condition. 
>These objects, however, are much more than "local"; they are often 
>designed in one country, mined in another, fabricated in a third and 
>then shipped and sold across the world. The objects we encounter 
>in one place represent nodes of complex global networks. 
>
>In what ways can this global inter-connectivity of objects allow for 
>novel evaluations of the local? In what ways do the objects we 
>consume effect larger ecological, cultural and economic systems, 
>contributing to the pressing environmental concerns of our time? How 
>can art and architectural design help re-imagine and redesign our 
>unsustainable modes of production and consumption, inspiring a more 
>conscientious and responsible life in cities? This new 
>interdisciplinary course, offered as a collaboration between Art, 
>Culture and Technology and Architectural Design, aims to explore 
>these questions, among others, through the lens of small-scale 
>objects. The class will focus on the material and 
>environmental manifestations of globalization within an urban 
>context, analyzing and transforming specific objects through 
>mapping, drawing, design, experimentation and fabrication.
>
>The course begins with a field trip to New York City, followed by 
>DIS-ASSEMBLY, a research and analysis-oriented phase. During our 
>travel to New York, students will document a specific site, and will 
>meet and interact with students from other schools. This work will 
>contribute to a larger collaborative art project, "Broadway 1000 
>Steps," initiated by artist Mary Miss involving eleven colleges and 
>universities along the East Coast. During DIS-ASSEMBLY, we will 
>dissect selected objects found on our site, analyzing their designs, 
>geometries, materials and resources, cultural implications and 
>histories, thereby visualizing these objects' geographies and 
>ecological footprints. We will learn and employ diverse 
>visualization tools to create analytical mapping projects for 
>Midterm. In the second half of the semester, RE-ASSEMBLY, the class 
>will have a more design-oriented hands-on focus. Working 
>individually or in groups, we will focus on reconstituting 
>previously dissected objects, producing critical 
>artistic/architectural projects that acknowledge and emerge from the 
>prior analysis. Several methods of fabrication will be explored, 
>leading to project proposals ranging from singular design objects to 
>site interventions and provocations. This phase will include 
>fabrication tutorials, design work and hands-on production in 
>ACT shops (E14). The lab fee is $110, which covers shop and studio 
>access and some fabrication materials. 
>
>Theoretical research, lectures, readings, discussions and visiting 
>artist/architect presentations will supplement studio practice. The 
>class welcomes both undergraduate and graduate students from from 
>all disciplines and backgrounds.
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