Recently, I found myself laughing sarcastically at a community member on the architecture forum puzzling on the lack of drawings in our media publication. As a frequent writer of architecture and design reviews, this has been something I’ve often asked architects whenever I’ve been delivered a press release package. Often, I’ll be given a couple of good sentences (at worst, a two-sentence project that had me go hunting at other publications to pull out details), and some lovely images of hero interior (and the occasional tired photo of a furniture piece that we know will later be questioned by the public on its practicality). While I absolutely adore the photographs being provided, I find that my writing does not excel as much as I’d like – especially when I’m looking at a set of press photos that only showcases one room when the promotional package explores several spaces.
Read MoreMedia Fatigue
Architecture of the Media // Covid-19 Oversaturation
A few evenings ago, I attended a MUPSS discussion on ‘Planning for Pandemics’. While the conversation opened up a floodgate of talking points, I am finding myself overwhelmed by topics that have surfaced in the face of this crisis.
I’ve tried many times to pen an entry to this, however, the result left me writing a two-meter long mind dump on a list of things that I wanted to say and common threads that have been mentioned in the news, conversations, and social media. Below is condensation and an overview of what I’ve written.
Read MoreSocial Isolation? I’ve been there, but that was 18 years ago.
Eighteen years ago, while I was still growing up in Hong Kong, I was in a similar crisis – SARS. Yes, I know that SARS is very different from the current Corona Virus, but I can’t help but notice how the reactions have closely mirrored the present. Eighteen years ago, our worries were not as amplified. Our central source of information was restricted to television and newspaper – all we could do was monitor the numbers and statistics. Each day was a count down for us, slowly tracking the declining numbers of deaths, those who were infected and being reminded to be thorough with our cleaning. The SARS did overtake Hong Kong’s paranoia, our schools did shut down (we had online homework as well), professional practices began to introduce casual clothes into the weekdays beyond Friday to regulate our laundry habits. Public places were perfumed in bleach – the caution was evident.
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