list of books on sale as chosen by rachel whiteread, at tate britain
high rise by j g ballard
where I'm calling from by raymond carver
quicksand by henning mankell
about looking by john berger
meanwhile, trees by mark waldron
confessions of a crap artist by philip k dick
the safety of objects by a m holmes
gilead by marilynne robinson
mountains of the mind: a history of a fascination by robert macfarlane
the testemant of mary by colm toibin
my brilliant friend by elena ferrante
the collected stories of lydia davis
pondlife: a swimmer's journal by al alvarez
depths by henning mankell
Showing posts with label *FJE. Show all posts
Showing posts with label *FJE. Show all posts
16.4.17
'abstract - the art of design'
I've been watching Abstract - The Art of Design on netflix. Thus far (2 episodes in), it's about mainstream pop culture design. Celebrity designers, consumer culture. Being suspicious of such things, but also enjoying them, I have found the show surprisingly insightful. The format pairs a story of the designer's career thus far, with the story of an immediate design challenge - illustrator Christoph Niemann looks back on his studies, arrival in NYC, and moving to Berlin, while designing an 'augmented reality' cover for The New Yorker.
What I particularly enjoy is the view inside the work day and work space. Looking at the books, the pencils, what kind of desks other people like. And the small observations on working methods. There are also moments of vulnerability, failure, and uncertainty - and brief discussions of how these were overcome.
Bjarke Ingels has an episode coming up; will be interesting to see what kind of narrative is presented there.
The usual feeding of designer myths occurs - it's a slick production, but not entirely without nuance. A pretty easy watch for the end of a day.
image: http://nfgraphics.com/una-serie-de-netflix-para-disenadores-abstract-the-art-of-design/
What I particularly enjoy is the view inside the work day and work space. Looking at the books, the pencils, what kind of desks other people like. And the small observations on working methods. There are also moments of vulnerability, failure, and uncertainty - and brief discussions of how these were overcome.
Bjarke Ingels has an episode coming up; will be interesting to see what kind of narrative is presented there.
The usual feeding of designer myths occurs - it's a slick production, but not entirely without nuance. A pretty easy watch for the end of a day.
9.9.16
more archive material to be published
announcement of the publication of a talk video, comment on the current state of the 'blue archive' project and why talks from 3 over 4 Under 2015 are being published. I cannot speak for everyone in involved in the project - many people have contributed their efforts in different ways, and there is little formality to the process.
Still, I want to offer some commentary on what is happening (and not happening).
firstly, here's the talk - Ben Caine presenting at 3 Over 4 Under 2015.
Still, I want to offer some commentary on what is happening (and not happening).
firstly, here's the talk - Ben Caine presenting at 3 Over 4 Under 2015.
18.1.16
fje: recent reading
the blazing world by siri hustvedt (fiction)
a study of feminism, authorship and the workings of the art world.
europe in autumn by dave hutchinson (fiction)
speculative portrait of a near future europe after the failure of the EU project and the schengen agreement.
a time of gifts by patrick leigh fermour (non-fiction)
travels on foot in holland, germany, austria and czechoslovakia in 1933/34.
from the woods to the water by patrick leigh fermour (non-fiction)
travels on foot in hungary, yugoslavia and romania in 1934.
the work of art in the age of mechanical reproduction by walter benjamin (non-fiction)
a marxist reading of art, which I read in conclusion to my time working with raphael forquemin, to help get some structure around the political and economic discussions we had.
wings of the kite-hawk by nicolas rothwell (non-fiction?)
the landscapes, history and characters of remote australia. from the library of goetz stoeckmann.
the marriage plot by jeffery eugenides (fiction)
liberal arts in love.
blood meridian by cormac mccarthy (fiction)
harrowing happenings in the american west.
wuthering heights by emily bronte (fiction)
world's end by t.c. boyle (fiction)
dutch settlers' and native americans' postmodern adventures in the hudson valley.
studies in tectonic culture by kenneth frampton (non-fiction)
the backbone of my study tour of carlos scarpa's work in northern italy. while it makes for a dense read, it brings a lot of depth to my understanding of the origins of contemporary ornament. Notable for its non-anglocentric sources, coverage of modernism prior to the 20th century, extensive use of drawings and very insightful analysis.
a study of feminism, authorship and the workings of the art world.
europe in autumn by dave hutchinson (fiction)
speculative portrait of a near future europe after the failure of the EU project and the schengen agreement.
a time of gifts by patrick leigh fermour (non-fiction)
travels on foot in holland, germany, austria and czechoslovakia in 1933/34.
from the woods to the water by patrick leigh fermour (non-fiction)
travels on foot in hungary, yugoslavia and romania in 1934.
the work of art in the age of mechanical reproduction by walter benjamin (non-fiction)
a marxist reading of art, which I read in conclusion to my time working with raphael forquemin, to help get some structure around the political and economic discussions we had.
wings of the kite-hawk by nicolas rothwell (non-fiction?)
the landscapes, history and characters of remote australia. from the library of goetz stoeckmann.
the marriage plot by jeffery eugenides (fiction)
liberal arts in love.
blood meridian by cormac mccarthy (fiction)
harrowing happenings in the american west.
wuthering heights by emily bronte (fiction)
world's end by t.c. boyle (fiction)
dutch settlers' and native americans' postmodern adventures in the hudson valley.
studies in tectonic culture by kenneth frampton (non-fiction)
the backbone of my study tour of carlos scarpa's work in northern italy. while it makes for a dense read, it brings a lot of depth to my understanding of the origins of contemporary ornament. Notable for its non-anglocentric sources, coverage of modernism prior to the 20th century, extensive use of drawings and very insightful analysis.
27.8.15
Urban Screening 2015
MC and FJE are excited to announce the return of the Urban Screening public video exhibition and welcome Robert Cameron as co-curator for this year's program.
In 2014, Robert Cameron aka //thedeadpixelproject contributed two videos and an interactive video installation to the inaugural Urban Screening held at the Perth Cultural Centre Screen at the James Street Amphitheatre. With FM currently exploring exciting new opportunities on the other side of the world in Germany, Robert has joined our curatorial team to champion the technical coordination of the Urban Screening. MC remains the communications lead, which includes coordinating a national expansion of the Urban Screening through the RAIA's Emerging Architects and Graduates Network (EmAGN).
View this year's Call for Expressions of Interest here.
In 2014, Robert Cameron aka //thedeadpixelproject contributed two videos and an interactive video installation to the inaugural Urban Screening held at the Perth Cultural Centre Screen at the James Street Amphitheatre. With FM currently exploring exciting new opportunities on the other side of the world in Germany, Robert has joined our curatorial team to champion the technical coordination of the Urban Screening. MC remains the communications lead, which includes coordinating a national expansion of the Urban Screening through the RAIA's Emerging Architects and Graduates Network (EmAGN).
View this year's Call for Expressions of Interest here.
20.5.15
Blue Archive: Early Release Material
The Blue Archive is under development. Early release material includes a talk David Weir, of David Weir Architects, at the 2014 edition of MERGE Emerging Architects 'On Impact', and a 'project portrait' of Jonathan Lake's North Perth House, which was a popular site at Open House 2014.
The archive project has seen speakers and event organisers including MERGE, Curtin University, CODA, the Office of the Government Architect, CODA, the DIA and Gresley Abas generously allow us to film their talks, and video documentation of a number of exhibitions, installations, and built projects. We hope this will contribute to the strengthening of architectural culture in Perth through the availability of quality, engaging, primary source information delivered with high production values. The intent is to assist with the discovery and sharing of good ideas through the cataloging and of the work, thoughts and personalities of architects and allied practitioners, to allow well informed conversations and creative works.
In due course a website will be launched, with fully catalogued metadata on the speakers and events. Material will be progressively added as editing is completed and permissions received.
In the meantime, we hope you enjoy these first two videos:
David Weir (David Weir Architects) - 'On Impact'
Project Portrait: Jonathan Lake Architects - 'North Perth House'
21.7.14
PS14.02 Design for Learning #3
Notes on the Perth Samplings held by the Office of the Government Architect, in this case in collaboration with CEFPI.
Governor Stirling High School by Donaldson + Warn
High school for 1000 students on a small (aprox half size of usual) site. Replaced multistory buildings built in the 50's, key design drivers were responding to geographical context of river and historical (both indigenous and European) Guildford, build programming (proposed staged construction was challenged by design team) and accommodating an existing school community with established teaching programs and social contexts. The buildings have a strong civic character (as you can expect from D+W), sharply lined forms and appear generous in spatial diversity and finessed forms at the level of interaction - i.e. building elements forming seating, operable walls being deployed in carefully thought through scenarios. Materials included reduction fired bricks, which I knew about but was unsure why this firing process is employed - now I know it brings more variety of colouring with blues and purples. Brad Day presented in detail, and talked about difficulties as well as successes, which is important.
JSR Kindergarten
Innovative timber building techniques, efficient 18 x 18m square plan, simple structure. Resourceful and clear approach, without complication appears to have delivered a fun and successful outcome which was not an obvious solution but performs well (by Tom Brooking's account, and it sounds as though post-consultation has been worthwhile). Interior of building appears a great place to inhabit, particularly for young children.
HG and FJE were there documenting for the video archive.
Notes on the Perth Samplings held by the Office of the Government Architect, in this case in collaboration with CEFPI.
Governor Stirling High School by Donaldson + Warn
High school for 1000 students on a small (aprox half size of usual) site. Replaced multistory buildings built in the 50's, key design drivers were responding to geographical context of river and historical (both indigenous and European) Guildford, build programming (proposed staged construction was challenged by design team) and accommodating an existing school community with established teaching programs and social contexts. The buildings have a strong civic character (as you can expect from D+W), sharply lined forms and appear generous in spatial diversity and finessed forms at the level of interaction - i.e. building elements forming seating, operable walls being deployed in carefully thought through scenarios. Materials included reduction fired bricks, which I knew about but was unsure why this firing process is employed - now I know it brings more variety of colouring with blues and purples. Brad Day presented in detail, and talked about difficulties as well as successes, which is important.
JSR Kindergarten
Innovative timber building techniques, efficient 18 x 18m square plan, simple structure. Resourceful and clear approach, without complication appears to have delivered a fun and successful outcome which was not an obvious solution but performs well (by Tom Brooking's account, and it sounds as though post-consultation has been worthwhile). Interior of building appears a great place to inhabit, particularly for young children.
HG and FJE were there documenting for the video archive.
24.1.13
Upgoer5: Architect
I wrote about the work of an architect, using only the most common thousand words.
To make up and draw pictures of building; houses and other place things so that people can make them. Talk to the people who will use the place, work out how big it should be, how people will use the spaces, what it will be made of and how the bits will go together and show this in the drawn pictures. Work with the building people to get the thing which was thought of in the first place, and will be right for those who will live and work in it.
To make up and draw pictures of building; houses and other place things so that people can make them. Talk to the people who will use the place, work out how big it should be, how people will use the spaces, what it will be made of and how the bits will go together and show this in the drawn pictures. Work with the building people to get the thing which was thought of in the first place, and will be right for those who will live and work in it.
6.1.13
thinking about: film
"Even if they are not all good poems, you do realise how incredible the thirst is for poetry as a way of apprehending and thinking about life. It sort of deals with the same questions as philosophy does, but it builds up from the ground and from specific detail whereas philosophy comes down from above and abstract generalisation. It allows you to experience other people's thoughts in a way that other art forms just don't, and reading all these entries together you see that people are looking for a way of dealing with the other. I don't want to term it spiritual exactly, but certainly the numinous aspects of existence aren't dealt with much in our culture."
- poet, novelist and international litigator Nick Laird on poetry, in The Guardian, 4/1/2013
To me, the essence of that quote really applies to film, not poetry. To me there is no better medium than film to "experience other people's thoughts", and for dealing with "the other". It is more visceral, has more "specific detail", and is also a very familiar medium - easy to make now with cheap computing, easy on-line promotion and distribution, and widely understood within our TV and cinema centric culture. Poetry I think held this popular story telling role within our culture, but has it no longer (except, perhaps, combined with song lyrics - which are given greater power in music videos).
Recently among the collective, there has been quite a bit of film discussion and making; most of which has not yet reached fruition.
22.12.12
Talk Notes: PS12.03: design and community; creative outcomes in Fremantle
transcribed from my notebook; a few brief notes
Fremantle Bike Trees
buttress roots [link to MO, fairy lights, tree socks].
Bernard Seeber
Fremantle Train Station, Hilton Community Centre. Using existing fabric, putting things together the wat they were designed in the first place (because it's cheaper, easier to maintain and helps with continuity of community - but mainly cheaper). Adding to existing value.
Michael Patroni
Knutsford Consortium, development of a Knutsford (Brownfield development inland from Fremantle) lot. Managed to deliver sophisticated material outcomes and a 4.5M wide back lane (hard to convince State Planning), which would achieve a proper second order realm. Fremantle successful because of pre-car streetscape (among other factors).
As ever, thanks to the team at the Office of the Government Architect for all their hard work organising and curating this talk series, and the speakers.
3.11.12
'La Petite Chambre' makes the Archiflick shortlist!
We have been rather quiet, but we have been busy...making a short film! And now that it's been made public, we're allowed to tell you about it!
Our film has been shortlisted for Archiflick - the 2012 National Architecture Awards short film competition - hurray!
The brief was to make a 30-60 second film that focused on or further explored any aspect of a project shortlisted for the 2012 National Architecture Awards. One of the provocations was to showcase a project in a way it hasn't been seen before.
Out of the four WA projects shortlisted for the National Architecture Awards, we decided to do a film on the Cultural Centre Amenities by Coniglio Ainsworth Architects. The other WA shortlisted projects were VENN by Matthews Architecture, 58 Stevens St by Officer Woods, and Hilton Community Centre by Bernard Seeber. The Cultural Centre Amenities seemed the most publicly accessible project and stimulated the most ideas amongst the group (including some spontaneous script-writing by BM), so life got set aside and we went off to do some filming in a public toilet...!
Our film has been shortlisted for Archiflick - the 2012 National Architecture Awards short film competition - hurray!
The brief was to make a 30-60 second film that focused on or further explored any aspect of a project shortlisted for the 2012 National Architecture Awards. One of the provocations was to showcase a project in a way it hasn't been seen before.
Out of the four WA projects shortlisted for the National Architecture Awards, we decided to do a film on the Cultural Centre Amenities by Coniglio Ainsworth Architects. The other WA shortlisted projects were VENN by Matthews Architecture, 58 Stevens St by Officer Woods, and Hilton Community Centre by Bernard Seeber. The Cultural Centre Amenities seemed the most publicly accessible project and stimulated the most ideas amongst the group (including some spontaneous script-writing by BM), so life got set aside and we went off to do some filming in a public toilet...!
17.8.12
Curtin Open Day 2012: a SWOT analysis
Strategic Objective: Answer the question 'what is Architecture?' in five minutes or less.
- your folio (useful as a presentation aid, or distraction)
- Stephen Neille standing next to you while you explain what architecture is
Strengths:
- five or more years experience in impromptu presentations- your folio (useful as a presentation aid, or distraction)
Weaknesses:
- the proximity of the IA table (when you are explaining the difference)- Stephen Neille standing next to you while you explain what architecture is
Opportunities:
- teenagers who actually seem interested in what you have to say - disinterested teenagers
- cross-examining parents
Crisis management case study scenarios:
"What is Built Environment?"
Subtext: This is not the sign I was looking for.
Subtext: This is not the sign I was looking for.
"So...what's architecture?"
Subtext: Is this the one about dinosaur bones?
"I need a career!"
Subtext: I/my parents think I should have something to occupy my life, or I/my parents need/want me to have money.
"Oh, you've graduated! Do YOU have a job?"
Subtext: As if anyone with a job would be here on a Sunday.
"How much do you earn?"
Subtext: N/A
Sarah McGann sends someone over to you to talk about 'the social side'.
Subtext: You had too much fun at university (?)
"It's long and um... hard."
Subtext: Oops.
Subtext: Is this the one about dinosaur bones?
"I need a career!"
Subtext: I/my parents think I should have something to occupy my life, or I/my parents need/want me to have money.
"Oh, you've graduated! Do YOU have a job?"
Subtext: As if anyone with a job would be here on a Sunday.
"How much do you earn?"
Subtext: N/A
Sarah McGann sends someone over to you to talk about 'the social side'.
Subtext: You had too much fun at university (?)
"It's long and um... hard."
Subtext: Oops.
13.7.12
Talk on a Practice: Formworks
Kelly Rattigan and team from Formworks gave a great Talk on a Practice for MERGE- here is a summary.
After meeting in the Formworks offices, in a blended old/new building on a back lane in North Fremantle, the talk proceeded at nearby Mojo's, the slide show given a slight crazed edge by being projected onto an artwork of a slavering naked man holding a rose. Kelly Rattigan presented, but invited all her staff, from students through to senior project architects to present their responses to questions she had asked them earlier in the day - a nice touch which included the practice as a group, not just Kelly Rattigan and Co.
Anyway, Kelly began with the origins of the firm, as a small residential practice (Kelly Rattigan Architects) which grew from an initial residential commission (which displayed some great use of blockwork) to become a small firm of 4-5 people with close teaching links to UWA. She described the breakthrough project for the firm moving to large scale architecture proper after some small commercial works; a speculative university studio project, St Bart's Lime Street, which captured the imagination of Allanah MacTiernan and went on to become reality with land and money grants from the government. The practice then merged with the practice of a retiring architect to become Formworks, a larger proposition focusing on commercial work, with a strong regional bent.
After meeting in the Formworks offices, in a blended old/new building on a back lane in North Fremantle, the talk proceeded at nearby Mojo's, the slide show given a slight crazed edge by being projected onto an artwork of a slavering naked man holding a rose. Kelly Rattigan presented, but invited all her staff, from students through to senior project architects to present their responses to questions she had asked them earlier in the day - a nice touch which included the practice as a group, not just Kelly Rattigan and Co.
Anyway, Kelly began with the origins of the firm, as a small residential practice (Kelly Rattigan Architects) which grew from an initial residential commission (which displayed some great use of blockwork) to become a small firm of 4-5 people with close teaching links to UWA. She described the breakthrough project for the firm moving to large scale architecture proper after some small commercial works; a speculative university studio project, St Bart's Lime Street, which captured the imagination of Allanah MacTiernan and went on to become reality with land and money grants from the government. The practice then merged with the practice of a retiring architect to become Formworks, a larger proposition focusing on commercial work, with a strong regional bent.
26.4.12
PS 12.01 - Richard Weller and Anthony Duckworth-Smith present Macro/Micro Cities: Summaries and Reflections
Prof. Richard Weller expands the remit of his 'Boom Town' research to a federal level, and suggests Australian organisations (primarily government) need to plan effectively for the global population expansion which will, according to Weller's sources, see the world population plateau at 10 billion people as the population increases, becomes urbanised (for economic reasons) and reproduction lessens as a priority.
24.4.12
PS12.01 Macro / Micro Cities - Liveblog
17:44 Perth Samplings 12.01 tonight, Richard Weller & Anthony Duckworth-Smith presenting 'Macro/Micro Cities'.
18:25 Gently rousing intro from Melinda Payne, Richard Weller off to a start at 6.20.
18:27 Richard seems to be working on Boomtown on a global scale. He's just back from China - "in a way, apocalyptic".
18:30 New discipline: urban ecology. Cities as living breathing entities.
18:32 No, it's actually a Boomtown for the whole of Australia.
18:36 24 new Perths needed this century(ish), cities will get too big & too dense - do this to max, then find sites for new cities.
18:36 Polycentric - "you want to make a fruitcake, not a loaf of bread."
18:25 Gently rousing intro from Melinda Payne, Richard Weller off to a start at 6.20.
18:27 Richard seems to be working on Boomtown on a global scale. He's just back from China - "in a way, apocalyptic".
18:30 New discipline: urban ecology. Cities as living breathing entities.
18:32 No, it's actually a Boomtown for the whole of Australia.
18:36 24 new Perths needed this century(ish), cities will get too big & too dense - do this to max, then find sites for new cities.
18:36 Polycentric - "you want to make a fruitcake, not a loaf of bread."
9.4.12
Manjimup SHS Science Laboratories - JCY
On
the edge of Manjimup, a large inland town in WA’s South-West, is a
multi-purpose educational campus which has expanded since 1999 from a
Senior High School to include a TAFE, a primary school, and an Edith
Cowan University facility.
Three science laboratories and an accompanying staff office have been constructed in the northern part of the campus, replacing transportable buildings that used to house the senior high school’s physics and chemistry labs.
Three science laboratories and an accompanying staff office have been constructed in the northern part of the campus, replacing transportable buildings that used to house the senior high school’s physics and chemistry labs.
31.3.12
WA Architecture Awards: Presentation to Juries - Live blog
We 'live blogged' the event on our Facebook page.
Here it is, as it happened:
9:06 Interior 9am - starting the Presentation to Juries liveblog.
9:19 Interior LM "what are you two vegemites doing here?"
9:21 Interior Bollig Design Group - Augusta Margaret River Shire civic administration (interior category). Smooth presentation to start the day, building had strong regional elements.
9:24 Interior PDFs need ctrl+L-ing.
9:27 Interior DMG - Crown Mansions: Opulence is the theme.
9:28 Interior presenting 'the shots'.
25.3.12
A little bit of advocacy:
A discussion on a Victoria Park local 'facebook blog' (i.e. a page which someone uses to follow local events, businesses, issues and trivia), copied from facebook.
I have not made the posts anonymous, as they have been made on a public page.
I Love Vic Park
On the corner of Leonard street and Albany Highway, we like it!
2.3.12
U-Ram Choe: extraordinary, empty
U-Ram Choe, a Korean sculptor who focuses on kinetic works, has a solo exhibition in the John Curtin Gallery, as part of the Perth International Arts Festival.
The show seems, at first, enthralling. The rooms are dark, and sparsely populated with strange mechanical creatures: flowers, fish, 'Aliens' (a la Geiger), dragonflies. These robots move - some constantly, some intermittently, some in groups, pulsing in arrhythmic patterns. Beautifully mechanical, complex and dramatically lit in the dark chambered space, they are astonishing creations.
 |
| Urbanus Female on show in the John Curtin Gallery image: choe u ram website |
There is also a theatrette, showing a making of video, and videos from the original (and more complete, it would seem) show in Tokyo.
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