Archemist Blog
This is a space for my own architectural related musings. Sometimes it is about a movie, a book, a show, or even something that I’ve come across online. Happy reading!
How will we live together? Part II : Are We Trying To Build A Utopia At Venice Biennale?
As an avid Y.A. fiction reader, I have read enough books to understand the general rule of thumb that utopia is a mask of dystopic nature. As architects (or in my case, architecture graduate), wanting to create a harmonious community can be disguised in the forms of renders – but because we lack the ability to communicate with every possible user to understand and predict how their physicality and mentality will evolve over time, the idea of utopia can only reach so far in time.
I want to believe that we are somewhat living together, we all breathe the same air, share the same sun, ocean, etc. in the poetic sense. However, when we have such a complex mind and emotions becomes involved – it is very hard to define an on point solution to understanding the future of sharing this space together.
How will we live together? Part I : On Overthinking the Venice Biennale
Last month, expression of interest for the Venice Architecture Biennale 2020 was released to the architecture community. Under the theme of ‘How will we live together?’, it was an extremely enticing and straightforward topic. Albeit, having entered a few competitions now – the level of depth and overthinking of the conversation is challenging but exciting.
We can look at this philosophically, pragmatically, utopically, optimistically otherwise realistic perspective. Following from this year’s announcement for Venice Architecture Biennale’s main brief “How will we live together?” has made me raise eyebrows at the sentence. In many ways – although not religious, I can’t help but think of the scene where Jesus feeds the five thousand. There is some irony to the thought of questioning how architecture or through architecture how do we demonstrate the possibility of everyone living together.
The Way We Knew It Left It. Ellipsism Part I
There's a fine line between morals and doing it for your own sake. Every now and then we would be presented with some kind of catch twenty two situation that could eventually haunt us a lifetime.
It's quite a morbid situation to consider really.
Last year on a trip to Venice, we spent two days at the Venice Biennale to understand the types of issues (the exhibition was titled 'Reporting from the Front') that have been raised in the past years. Issues ranged from underpayment, exploitation to poverty and social housing.
And then there was the past.