Art, Architecture, and Obama

Volunteer Experience 5 - “Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go into the world and do good.”

2008-05-08T17:22:30Z

Hello,
Not too much has changed in what I'm doing at my volunteer site since my last post. I'm still helping people with math, they are still learning, and I work with a different set of people each time. However, after what could have been my last volunteer experience at Volunteers of America, I am a bit sad that it is over. I really enjoyed volunteering there this semester, and the people there were so nice and interesting to work with. I learned a lot through the experience, and I think I will actually miss them. Although I am extremely busy until the end of May, I'm considering volunteering there next year at school. I've always thought it was important to find a balance between everything in order to have a successful year, and I think volunteering should stay in that balance. Volunteering provides an additional source of learning and personal understanding, and it feels good to help other people become educated-which is something I put great value on. Also, being able to tell people that I have been volunteering is important to me-and maybe they will be more inclined to do so themselves. But also, it is important because it is one way I can live the way I want to live, the way I think people should live. I think volunteering is important, and doing good things should never go out of style-especially in a world dominated by consumerism and money.

“Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go into the world and do good.” – Minor Myers Jr.

Technology? Of course

2008-05-06T06:09:08Z

In the Postman reading, he addressed many of the negative side effects of technology. Trust me, I agree that technology doesn't always have good impacts on society. However, I would argue that architecture can avoid many of the potential side effects of technology. Technology has always been closely related to architecture, and I believe that this is mostly a good thing for architecture. Technology has allowed us to have modern conveniences, skyscrapers, bridges, and even more energy efficient solutions to design. Also, I think that it is wrong to argue that technology has made us more disconnected to our architecture. If architecture has made us more disconnected, I think the blame should be placed on the architects-or the education system not embracing technology and learning how to INTEGRATE it, rather than let it take over. I think architects can still maintain a great amount of control of their designs through technology. Also, technology allows architects to participate in the design of more buildings. So many of our architecture professors complain that such a tiny percentage of buildings are designed by actual architects-saying that this is a huge problem. I agree that this is a problem, and I believe integrating technology into the design process would be a great way to fix it-because architects will be able to complete many more projects in a given year because technology speeds up the design process significantly. For example, at Charles R. Stinson Architects, a firm I interned at last year, recently integrated new 3-d CAD technology into their firm. Although initially the technology took a while to learn and become proficient at, in time it will allow the firm to work on many more projects. The software also allows them to see their plans in 3-d, and also show these to clients so they can get a clearer picture early in the design process. I think good architects will still be able to maintain enough control on the details of a building, a potential problem mentioned by Newton.

Overall, i think technology has GREAT opportunity for architecture. The key will be to educate architects to use technology responsibly, to integrate it into their practice. Also, technology has to be recognized as a tool, not a cure to all our problems. Also, they need to be aware of when technology can be abused-so they can avoid this.

Is this building not awesome (I think it is a computer rendered image too-it's pretty amazing)

Presentation critique

2008-05-05T18:08:29Z

Goal 1 - Byron and Michelle

First off, very well done-there are many good things to say about your presentation. I thought your images were all great, and were arranged very well. One little detail I thought was really cool were those thin grey bands dividing some of the photos. Also, dividing one image into several with thin white vertical bands in-between was a cool detail too. Your header to all the pages was really cool too, and helped us follow along and see visually how you progressed through the issue. This was also great because we could see when you were wrapping it all up, and see how all the slides worked together. All these small modifications and cool photo arrangements really held my attention and made me pay more attention cause I kept getting pleasantly surprised. Visually, your presentation was very interesting. I think the text was dealt with well, I focused mostly on the pics but I think there was adequate text. One thing though-don’t be afraid to use capital letters. We debated with this in our own presentation, so I understand why you guys chose to use lower case letters in most of the presentation, but I wonder if it is a bit cliche in a presentation.

Your analysis was very strong as well. You guys really emphasized the complexity of the issue in Somalia, and how the many factors are related and important to consider. Our project was also about Somalia, so I really appreciated this careful analysis-Somalia really is in a complicated state right now, and you guys made this clear to the rest of the audience.

Your proposals were well organized too. They weren’t shallow and unrealistic, like many of the others I’ve seen. You guys really seemed to have a thorough understanding of the issues, and through your case studies and proposal you had a very strong presentation. You guys did a good job explaining the many cause and effect relationships that need to be addressed in your issue.

Reading 19

2008-04-21T02:54:35Z

2 key words:
Technology: Technology as a double edged sword, as a burden and as a blessing. He talks a lot about
Technocracy: He states that cultures may be classified into 3 types: tool-using cultures, technocracies, and technopolies. He spends most of his time discussing technocracies, saying that "in a technocracy, tools play a central role in the thought world of a culture."

2 discussion questions:
He talks a lot about tool-using cultures and technocracies, but what would a technopoly look like? Is the US a technopoly or a technocracy?
Which of the three cultures (tool-using, technocracies, technopolies) is best? why?
Should we seek progress? If the good outweighs the bad, does that make something right?
How would you compare last Tuesday's lecture (the guest lecture-David Newton) with the reading? Do they agree with each other?

Readings 17, 18

2008-04-12T06:58:20Z

Reading 17

Key words:
Patterns: Stewart states that we live in a universe of patterns. Through mathematics, we (humans) are able to exploit patterns for our own use. One of the keys are understanding which patterns are meaningful, and researching why.
Observation; He also argues that the key to unlocking patterns is through observing, although this must be combined with mathematics to realize its useful potential.

Discussion Questions:
Does this knowledge of patterns suggest intelligent design, that an all-powerful god created the earth and/or universe?
How can we perfect patterns in our built environment? Are patterns as essential to architecture as they are to nature?

Reading 18
Key words:
Mathematicians: Alder discusses the abilities and limitations of mathematicians. he presents mathematicians as extremely focused and brilliant, but at the same time have an extremely narrow range of skills-saying that mathematicians are only good at being mathematicians (and sometimes professors). He says they are terrible at other math-related professions. He also talks about how the mathematician is represented and understood in popular culture.
Purity: He also presents mathematics as the most pure profession/area of inquiry.

Discussion questions:
Do mathematicians represent the anti-architect? To what extent?
Do we still need to cultivate true mathematicians? Does our world work well enough already? Is there an end to mathematics? Is it a wasted life if a mathematician discovers no real advances in his lifetime? Are mathematicians selfish or selfless?
Alder states that, "no mediocre mathematician can teach [math] adequately even at an elementary level." To what extent do you agree with this statement? As teachers, is it important to prepare students to become mathematicians or to become engineers, accountants, and other math related fields? What is more important to society?

Volunteering!

2008-04-12T04:55:37Z

Hey, I just remembered we were supposed to be blogging about our volunteer experiences, so I hope its ok I'm combining my first 4 visits into one...trust me-it will be good.
My volunteering experience has been going very well so far. Every Tuesday I volunteer at Volunteers for America, teaching (tutoring/helping whatever) Somalian adults how to do math (in night school-they are all trying to pass the basic skills test for high school proficiency). Each day, they learn a new skill, and work on a new packet or page of problems. I come around and help students when they are confused or need their answers checked. There’s usually one or two other volunteers during class, but there still isn’t enough to be able to help everybody, so I’m always with someone. I teach two levels, one is pretty basic math like long division, multiplication, and subtraction. The other is the higher level, where I've helped students learn geometry and understand word problems. Although I really prefer working with the higher level students, I think I'm gaining more from working with the lower level students. The lower levels aren't usually less "smart," they just got started a little later and usually know less English than the students at the higher level. These students need more patience, and you often have to try different approaches to teaching until one works. This has tested my creativity, and has helped me learn how to effectively present my thoughts as clearly simply as possible.
I love working here because the students are very eager to learn, are capable of learning, and really appreciate the help they receive. It is great when the students ask if you'll be there the next day, but it is really hard having to tell them I can only come one day per week. I would like to come more often, but my schedule this semester is very full and It would be tough fitting it all in. One example of the gratification of the volunteering was on the second day. I worked mostly with one student, a girl named Uba, and she missed the previous day so I had to teach her what they had learned-which were geometry terms and relationships. It was hard for me to try to explain it all, and how and why it works, because some of it was one of those things where it “just is” (by definition)-and you have to accept it. She was confused for much of the beginning of the packet, but as we went along she started to understand more and more. By the end, it had all come together and she was so happy. She was so surprised, and felt like she really learned a lot about a confusing subject. She thanked me and went up to the teacher and told him that I am a great teacher, and she wanted to reserve me for next time. It felt really good, and every time I volunteer I can see different people’s faces light up when they finally understand something.
Another reason why I like working here is because it allows me to understand another culture better. I know a couple of people who are Somalian, but they have lived in the US for most of their lives and are very proficient in English. They both go to the U of M, and are smart and motivated students. It is great seeing that same motivation in the adults that I work with, it really shows that they want to learn, they want to succeed in their new home, and they want to contribute. This is a great attitude, and I sometimes feel like this attitude is missing in many of my American-born peers.
qBecause I'm surrounded by this new culture, I've learned more about their religion-Islam. Almost all of the students are practicing Muslims, and they interrupt class every day to pray together. I never realized how devoted most Muslims were in their prayer. Although I'm Christian, I've grown to really respect the religion. I'll admit, I really knew nothing about the religion until recently, I guess I never really felt a need to. But recently I've made an effort to learn more about it, and have learned many good things. Most of what I had heard about Islam is from my seventh grade history teacher (the year of the Sept 11 attacks) and the media. My history teacher was very respectful and taught us a little about the religion (like the difference between the Shiite and Sunni Muslims-we were young so it was probably oversimplified, but she tried, and that was very important for her to do-because most of our other sources (media or parents) were probably more unaware or misleading). This past week was Islam Awareness Week at the U, and I was able to go to Tuesday night's event, which was a panel discussion about The American Muslim Identity. The panel consisted of three Muslims who are very involved in the community-one is on the board of education, one was a woman who is running to be a Representative in the State's Legislature, and one is involved in a couple groups, like CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations). These three were very intelligent, and I learned a lot about Islam, also about it's relation to today's current situation (especially politically). I have also come to learn that Islam is very similar to Christianity, one fact that I believe many Americans don't know or are unwilling to accept. I think its important for Americans to learn more about Islam, and even other religions, in order to understand and respect other religions more. I feel like most don’t do this, however, because they are afraid of people thinking that they are unchristian, or considering converting, rather than just becoming informed. I think many Americans are still afraid of Muslims, or at least uncomfortable interacting with them, and I believe that knowledge of the religion would really help ease relations. I don’t really know how to do this, but there are several organizations who try to provide information to people wanting to get to know the religion. I think the COEXIST campaign helps a little too, in terms of raising awareness at least.

My Playlist-I finally figured out how!

2008-04-06T18:45:18Z

Blog 6 - Presentation

2008-03-13T19:58:43Z

This is one of the best layouts I've seen.

I really like the simplicity and clean design of this set. I also think its successful in that it is able to maintain visual interest throughout the whole set. They go from slides that have picture backgrounds and text to mostly white backgrounds with pictures. I think this is a good strategy, using contrast to reinforce what the important information is in the slide. The layering of text over white over picture is really cool.

Reading 15 Discussion Prep

2008-03-10T07:37:00Z

2 key words

Form: Obviously, the title of the article is “Search for Form.” He emphasizes a search for form that is genuine and honest, instead of being an imitation of previous traditional forms, which may be obsolete for contemporary use. He argues that form is an essential part of architecture, and it has important implications. Form exists inside us all.
Fundamentals: Saarinen argues that there are fundamentals of form that are unchanging. This aproach allows for a more subjective analysis of what defines good form from bad form.

2 Questions:
Do you agree with Saarinen that form exists inside everyone? That we inherently know what is good form by what feels natural?

How does one define a “truly genuine art”? And similarly, a “truly genuine form”? is it possible for an outside source to judge what is genuine? Or do you have to take the artist’s or designer’s word for it?

My built environment

2008-03-06T02:42:32Z

I think my living arrangement this year is a great example of how the built environment affects who I am. I live on the West Bank, Middlebrook Hall, Floor 10, Room 47.

First off, I feel like I really connect with the people on my floor, and the building in general. I think a big reason for this is because the structure of the floors allows for grouping honors students together. I’ve been able to live with peers who are also in the CLA honors program, and this has undoubtedly affected who I am and who I associate myself with. These smaller communities serve as an important framework for me to feel at home within the larger clockworks of the University as a whole. The people on the 10th floor, and some on the 8th, have almost become family in a way. It has also provided me with a social niche that I feel comfortable in.

Also, the location of Middlebrook, within the larger context (or framework) of the West Bank Arts Quarter, has been important in shaping who my friends are, what I do in my spare time, the classes I'm taking, and even what major I have declared (Studio Art).

Due to the location, I’ve been able to meet more people interested in the arts than I probably would have had I lived in the Super-block this year. Also, because I’m so close to the Regis Center for the Arts, I’ve been able to take many art classes, and have been able to frequent the art galleries and attend interesting lectures and events. Being involved and connected to this framework of creative people has been important to me finding a niche academically.

The West Bank almost acts as a small city in itself, and I feel intimately connected to the flow and atmosphere. Also, every day I’m able to look out the window at the Minneapolis skyline, an important reminder of the real-world that I inhabit and the larger system that the University serves.

In my room are several things that I really associate with my identity. I have posters of my favorite bands-Dave Matthews Band, Jack Johnson, Bob Marley, and the Beatles.

These bands have become an important part of my identity; I really connect to music in general. Also, they represent my friends at home and summertime to me. Every summer we all go to a couple concerts together, sometimes camping when it is a ways away. I look forward to this every year, and these posters remind me of these god times.

Also, I have some of my artworks in my room. I love art, and I love being able to live with my own artwork. Also, I have many books that I love to page through in my spare time; its nice to have my own mini-library with me. These posters and other things in my room really make me feel at home, and create a sense of place that is uniquely my own.

Readings 11,12

2008-03-03T01:59:51Z

Reading 11
2 words:
Interconnected, Interdependent: Capra argues that every system is interdependent-that is, when one changes it affects other systems. Also, in order to fix one problem, one needs to fix another problem first, or several others. (similar to a holistic worldview).
Sustainable: Capra says that the great challenge of our times is to create sustainable communities, sustainable systems, and sustainable solutions to our problems. His definition of a sustainable society is one that “satisfies its needs without diminishing the prospects of future generations.”
Paradigm shift: A paradigm shift is essential to focus our attention on sustainable solutions. The upcoming paradigm shift will affect science and the broader social arena, not just science like past shifts.

2 discussion questions:
Have any of you read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenence, by Robert Persig? Can you draw any similarities between the two texts? Does Persig’s book hint at this paradigm shift?

Does this paradigm shift mark the end of Western dominance? Are Eastern cultures, like China and Japan, more capable of understanding this new paradigm?

Capra argues that we need to question “every single aspect of the old paradigm” in order to formulate this new paradigm. But who will decide which parts of the old paradigm to keep? Who is granted authority? Is this new paradigm without bounds-is it variable because of this lack of authority? Is single person capable of being deep-ecologically aware?

Capra says that the paradigm shift requires an expansion of our perceptions and ways of thinking, and even our values-is this possible to achieve on a grand scale? Is he asking too much of the human race-this would require massive amounts of agreement among nations, democrats and republicans, and religions.

Reading 12
2 words:
Space: Space as what separates architecture from other art forms. He says that we experience architecture from the inside, and its this area he calls space. Space is more than what is drawn in architectural plans, there is an additional element, that contributes to its spatial essence.
Architecture: The author tries to define architecture and contrast it with other art forms, asking what is architecture? Internal space as the essence of architecture.

2 questions:
If architecture is defined by the spacial essence achieved after being built, is an architect measured by how close he can achieve his planned essence? Basically, how well his plans translate into creating the intended essence.
How can an architect convince his/her client of the essence of the building, if one can’t really know until they can experience it? Particularly in a design contest, how can they convince the panel when the decision is largely based on sketches and plans? Is the focus on sketches and plans overrated as a method for selecting a winning design? Should the process be revised? How?
Can one only become familiar with a work of architecture by experiencing it in person? Does this mean that its worthless to describe a building to students in a classroom? Should class be based on field trips rather than reading and slide presentations?

Blog 4

2008-02-28T17:53:15Z

Wow, that was lame, I lost my whole blog...Let’s give that another try...
So, what would I do if I were completely released from the constraints of the architecture school program? I’ve actually thought about this question often, and I’ve decided that I would be an artist. I would try to make a living off making art and maybe doing a couple design gigs, like designing furniture or something. People always ask me what medium I would do, but I just ask them why I should restrict myself to one? I would start with an idea or concept and decide which medium would be most successful in conveying these thoughts. If I had to choose a favorite medium, I would definitely say sculpture, which makes sense given my interest in architecture. Both focus on space and form, and I think that knowledge in one will translate into the other.
I think art is a natural extension of architecture, as many famous architects have shown. Some of my favorite architects, like Santiago Calatrava and Diller & Scofidio, are artists in addition to being innovative architects. Also, one of my mentors, Charles Stinson, started out his career wanting to become an artist, but decided to pursue architecture instead.
I think an artist will always be an artist, even if they have a day job. I believe I’m an artist, and I would would not feel complete if I wasn’t making art. I am always thinking of ideas and I would love making a living off art. If I am unable to, I think my art education would translate well into an architectural lifestyle, so I wouldn’t necessarily be wasting my time. Also, I could possibly become a professor at the college level, which would be financially steady at the least.
I think making art has a huge impact on my environment. I believe art is important, and a good work of art has a noticeable presence in its environment. I believe that, in selling my art, I can also improve the environment of others.

A huge warehouse space would be ideal for making art. I would be able to make huge paintings, sculptures, and even installations or performance art. I would absolutely love this space, and I would prefer to live in the city. I love being in the city because it allows me to study individual people and society in general, these topics are what my art would focus on discussing.
The Regis Art facilities are also awesome for making art. The studios are large, the equipment is top-of-the-line, and it’s close to the city and in an academic environment. This academic environment is also essential for my art-making, because of the many interesting lectures and people. I would also have galleries available for curating shows, doing installations, and having individual exhibitions.

Calatrava's art

Diller and Scofidio's art

Readings 9, 10

2008-02-25T06:24:56Z

Reading 9:
Key words:
Image: The author of this defines “one’s image” as one’s viewpoint. This involves one’s vision of the world, and one’s understanding of space, place, and time in history. Messages: Experience, or messages are what shape ones image. Messages are received at all times, with some changing one’s “image.”

Discussion questions:
How does this article affect our own “image”? Is it revolutionary to anyone? Is it more of a clarifying “message” to others? To me, I don’t think his points are very new, he is essentially rewording the argument that our experience and knowledge contributes to our vision of the world.
Is he arguing that there is no certainty of truth? That truth is only achieved through experience and is personal rather than universal? This is especially regarding one’s perception of religion.

Reading 10:
Key words:
To see: He defines seeing as “to perceive all its simultaneous components without overlooking any of them.”
Sword: In the last story, Mr. Palomar describes the intense light from a sunset as a sword;it pierces the eye-and the eye was made to perceive the sword, and the sword exists for the eye

How does this reading relate to an architect’s education?
Does reading this make you want to paint? Don’t you just want to create what he explains so vividly?
Do you agree with Mr. Palomar’s conclusion that, “The dead weight of an intolerant tradition prevents anyone’s properly understanding the most enlightened intentions”? Do you think that society influences what we see and don’t see, or can’t see?

Blog Prompt 3

2008-02-21T19:28:44Z

Music-
John Lennon- "Imagine," "Give Peace a Chance"
John Mayer- "Waiting on the world to change"
Beatles- "Help!," "All you need is Love"
Amos Lee- "Freedom"

Quotes:
Martin Luther King, Jr.-
-"A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom."
-"A right delayed is a right denied."
-"All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence."
-"Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better"
-"All progress is precarious, and the solution of one problem brings us face to face with another problem."
-"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity. "
Gandhi-
-"A nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people."
-"Action expresses priorities."

Albert Einstein-
-"A perfection of means, and confusion of aims, seems to be our main problem."
-"A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new."
-"A table, a chair, a bowl of fruit and a violin; what else does a man need to be happy?"
-"Any man who reads too much and uses his own brain too little falls into lazy habits of thinking."
-"Concern for man and his fate must always form the chief interest of all technical endeavors. Never forget this in the midst of your diagrams and equations."
-"I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world."

Mother Theresa-
-"Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat."
-"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other."

These quotes and lyrics really show a big part about what my life philosophy is, and this is what I'll bring into the project. (I can't figure out how to put photos up yet, but I'll get some up as soon as I figure it out.)

2008-02-20T03:30:06Z

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/23237672#23237672

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/23244909#23244909