LINDSEYfullofGRACE: February 2011

Monday, February 28, 2011

RR 7- Nijo-Jo

Sources:

http://www.taleofgenji.org/nijo_castle.html

Ching, A Global History of Architecture- Second Edition. P.488

www.travelswithsheila.com

Monday, February 21, 2011

Reading Response 6

Sources:

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=epcot+japan&view=detail&id=6C97E622A0DA9AFBC31143C75AAB0885A4198A1D&first=1&FORM=IDFRIR

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itsukushima_Shrine

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=itsukushima+shrine&view=detail&id=A1E933C394EBEF317477A304A26E1552D4399023&first=31&FORM=IDFRIR

Reading Response 4

http://nitawriter.wordpress.com/page/46/?pages-list
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/01/india-ancient-art/img/MM7549_Alchi_665.jpg&imgrefurl=http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/geopedia/Ajanta&usg=__fBeeIFG3V3l8jZurOzC1Ovlkeq8=&h=443&w=665&sz=490&hl=en&start=73&zoom=1&tbnid=EKS3xS1Jf0D0aM:&tbnh=158&tbnw=211&ei=d9NiTaScDZO6tgfE-OCNDA&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dajanta%2Bcaves%2Bpaintings%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Den%26biw%3D1297%26bih%3D1017%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C2152&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=528&oei=WNNiTaLhCI--tgezwanUCw&page=3&ndsp=30&ved=1t:429,r:12,s:73&tx=105&ty=50&biw=1297&bih=1017

Social media is the way people live, network, and communicate in the world today. In 2.5 seconds you can find out what your best friend had for lunch, or how the traffic was in a nearby city. The problem with social media is that people are limited to the networks that they already belong in, and meeting new people online is often discouraged. In 2015, the UN created a holiday in which people from all over the world are encouraged to branch out and meet others to partake in “Dining Together Day”, a day of communion and getting to know one another.

Since the mandate, the world’s social network has become a super network. At the first dinner, my friends and I invited our friends Anja from Russia, Samantha from S. Africa, Tash from Wales, and Tatiana from Columbia to dinner. My friends and I met the girls at a summer camp in Hendersonville, North Carolina, while the girls were working abroad, most of them for the first time in the US.

The space used for the dinner was hard to find, but perfect for the occasion. The round dining table helps every person to face each other, unlike a rectangular table, where one would be directly facing the person in front of her. The circular table helps generate more conversation, as we all seem to notice more about the people sitting around the table, and less about the one centered in front of us. The booth like seating makes the formal event seem a little more casual; every one is comfortable and the comfy cushions seem to push everyone together a little closer. The sunken in table-booth makes for a really interesting view of outside through the floor to ceiling windows, and when its clear outside you have the best view of the sky without even having to look up. Luckily, the table opens up to the fireplace, where the Wind-Oh television-networking screen is placed over the mantle. The screen allows for everyone unable to attend physically, to still participate through a live web cast. The cameras on the screen allow those unable to attend to view the dinner, even zoom around the table to see each persons face, their food, their dress, etc.

Since the first dinner, we have only branched out. Though we still talk to the same friends from summer camp, our friends overseas have introduced us to their other friends via the Wind-Oh, making a friendly dinner of close friends become a communion between social networks. Now, five years later, our dinners have become social networking galas. We take time to meet those that we are dining with overseas. We introduce ourselves, our food, talk about clothing, world happenings; all seemingly normal, like we are all just friends meeting up for a casual dinner around a big circular table on a comfy couch. And that we are.

Reading Response 3

sources:

http://www.flashcardmachine.com/arch350.html

http://www.shejapan.com/whs/pompeii/pompeii.html

A Global history of Architecture (2nd Edition)- Francis D.K. Ching, Mark Jarzombek, Vikramaditya Prakash. 2011.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Unit 1 Summary- Revisited

Unit 1 Summary

Origins - We began by exploring the approaches to objects, spaces, buildings, and places. Focusing on Stonehenge, we discussed the relationship of the circular stone pattern to the alignment with the constellations. Recognizing that aligning stones with the stars would take very long periods of observation, we discovered that about 20 miles down the road from Stonehenge, what is thought to be a wooden model of the circular pattern was discovered when a farmer stumbled upon some wood. The model was life size, so we can assume that the wooden model was the first try. We discussed the significance of circles and concluded that circles are significant, objects in the middle of circles are considered sacred, and a circle relies on all of it's parts. Circles are used to gather attention; to create boundaries; you're either in the circle or you're out. Moving onto stacking, we examined the pyramid at Giza. The pyramid shape is symbolic of society, where Rah, the sun god sits atop the pyramid, and the layers below are representative of the hierarchy of Egypt. Size matted in the ancient world, as the largest structures showed who held the higher power. We recognized the relationship between pyramids and the sun through the shape of pyramids- an upwards pointed arrow, and when the sun shines directly on top of the pyramid, creating a heliopolois; a city of the sun. After watching the Eames Powers of Ten video, we discussed putting things into perspective, how things that seem to have a lot of importance lose importance as we broaden our horizons, and not just taking things at surface value.

Circles, Stacking, & Groves- Oh My!

In class we learned of the importance of circles, stacking, and groves. Circles are a common symbol of unity and togetherness. The circle draws people in. For example, in the EUC on the campus of UNCG, circles exist at the two main entrances of the building, where many people choose to meet and many of the students walk through daily. Circles imply extra effort, as it is not always practical to build with circles because many building materials are flat or rectangular. Circles are organic. Circles are found everywhere around us; the sun, the moon, the earth, when you drip water into a larger body of water. The exist with the intention of making things a whole.
Stacking is common among everyday objects as well. Stacking is found in nature when things begin to accumulate; literally like a beaver dam. We found stacking while walking around campus while looking at the Walker Street Parking Deck. The building quite literally shows its layers from the outside. Another example of stacking in nature is how rocks are formed; with sediment building up and settling until it hardens, which is why it is common to see layers of color in rocks. We leaned that circles, stacking, and groves exist naturally all around us, it just depends on where you look.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Pheonix Picture Response

Sixteen blades all in a row,

what they are for, I do not know.

Eight bolts ring a rosie to form a curved shape,

your surface rusted, filled with scrape.

My mind knows you turn round the void in the mid,

but your stationary oneness sends my confidence a skid.

Your lines are not straight instead they flow,

If only I knew how you go, go, go.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Color Week

The week of Jan 24-28, 2011 was color week in the first year Iarc studio! We had daily projects working with our newly ordered and always expensive color aid paper. Here's how they turned out!

Day One

Day One- In class we chose two colors to start off with. We then chose the color that would occur if the two colors mixed. We found the middle color by putting the two outside colors completely over the middle color and slowly pulled them apart, so as to see if he middle color contained each of the outside colors.

Day 2

Day Two- We did something very similar to day one, in that we only used three colors, but this task had a slight variation. With this task, we, again, chose two colors to begin with and then find the middle color. This time the colors are set up in a cross to show the complete mixture and how to colors look separately. I think the continuance of color on each side really helps bring out each of the colors in the middle. This task was also to practice technique- cutting, rubber cementing, etc. Luckily rubber cement rubs off very easily.

Day 3

Day Three- Our third task was to create another compilation of blended colors. With this task, we used 9 colors in all. We began with the middle color. We then selected 4 more colors for the 4 corners. Lastly, we found the mixtures of the middle color and each corner color.

Day 4

Day Four- On the fourth day, we chose three colors and had to find a fourth color that would be the equivalent of the first three colors combined. My technique in cutting and pasting together is getting better at this point but not yet on point.

Day 5

Day 5- For this task, we began with two colors, the one at the top and at the bottom. The colors are supposed to be complimentary to each other, so I chose purple and yellow. The next colors we chose were the two outside colors on the top half of the diamond, the red triangle and the blue triangle. Directly below those triangles are shades of the color, displayed in another triangle. The triangles between the top yellow triangle and the red and blue top half triangles are a mixture between the triangles that are touching. The diamond is configured so that all the colors are related to the ones they are touching. For every group of four triangles that make a large triangle, the three outside triangles combine to create the middle triangle.

Colors by Season

Distinguishing Seasons by Color- For this task we were to chose a color palette from the diamond color palette (above) to describe each of the seasons. The design or shapes were open to what we wanted to do. My bottom left corner is representative of winter. It is dark and blue. I used blue brown and purple, with a hint of a mauve-y red. Above, in the top left, the colors are representative of spring. I tried to use some of the same colors of winter, as well as some of the colors I used in the summer palette (top right). I included green because it is commonly associated with spring (April showers bring May flowers). The summer palette (top right) have very vibrant colors. I incorporated bright vibrant colors because the summer reminds me of warmth and fun. The purple is included because it is complimentary to the yellow background. The colors used in the summer palette are yellow, orange, hot pink/red, and purple. The bottom right corner is the final color and it is representative of fall. The colors are warmer with hints of winter and summer colors. The dark shapes are a dark purple color, used to compliment the yellow background.

Overall I enjoyed color week. Having a background in art I have a casual grasp on color, mainly from mixing paints and colored pencils and other mediums to create my own colors. The main thing I struggled with was knowing what the color was that I needed, and not being able to find it. Anyways, I love Colors!

Past and Precedent- 10 ideas

http://www.uncg.edu/tlc/images/UNCG_McIver_map.jpg

While discussing the Xianyang palace in China and the Acropolis in Greece we discussed ten important elements to consider when observing architecture. For our group specifically, we discussed precedence and how it relates to the layout of Xianyang and the Acropolis. Using the ten important ideas, we applied them to UNCG's campus.

Space- Space is very important around the campus of UNCG. Buildings are spaced pretty equally apart. The EUC is set in the middle of campus, probably because it is the most commonly used building by all students on campus, much like how the Acropolis is situated in the middle of the village on a hilltop, because it was the communal area. UNCG's campus takes up alot of land, stretching down Spring Garden, a fairly busy street in the Greensboro community.

Precedent- Precedence is important because it sets the stage and inspires all events that are to follow the original event. In this case, the setting of the important buildings is the important idea to think about. Buildings were set in the middle of cities so as to suggest that they are the meeting place for all people. For UNCG, the EUC is set in the middle of campus, which is in the heart of Greensboro, only minutes away from downtown.

Size- Size is represented by the size of the buildings on campus. Many of the buildings are kept at a reasonable height, so as not to create building pollution and crowd the skies with ugly bricks. The tallest building on campus, the Jackson Library. It makes sense for the library to be the most prominent building, according to height (and the stark contrast in color and style that sometimes resembles a state prison facility), because it holds all of the books, history, and potential for the students of UNCG.

Scale- Scale is important because it helps some buildings look more impressive than others. Though the Jackson Library is situated around buildings that take up a lot of space, it is built vertically, so it looks larger than the buildings around it.

http://gallery.photo.net/photo/9875018-md.jpg

Experience- UNCG's campus is designed as a halfway closed campus, meaning it is closed to regular automobile traffic. The lack of traffic going through the middle of campus (College Avenue) makes the walk from class to class, as you only have to worry about dodging cars around Spring Garden. The campus is set up very grid like in the middle of campus, as the Library, Music Building, Education Building, and Human Environment Sciences office have paths that meet together and form an intersection in the middle of campus. The intersection of these sidewalks are also located close to buildings used regularly by all students; the EUC and the Caf.

Principles- The most important principle of the school is education; learning and teaching. The intersection of the sidewalks on College Ave not only marks a populated area on campus, it also marks the founding cornerstones of the Women's College, before it was the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Those four principles are learning/studying (Library-books), Education (Curry Building, School of education), Music (Music Building), and HES offices (Home ec-like majors, Consumer Apparel, Nutrition, Family Studies). The principles are evident as being very prominent, but not up to date, as UNCG has branched out and has a growing Nursing School, Business School, Art School, and Interior Architecture School, none of which are included in the meeting of the sidewalks)

Site- UNCG is located in the heart of Greensboro. Just minutes from downtown, students can walk to many places around Greensboro and never be more than ten minutes from home. Living in Greensboro is an eclectic mix too; you have the feel of a small city, but you still get that down-home feeling because you are in North Carolina.

Order- UNCG's campus is ordered pretty well, in that the foundations of the school are very grid like and align well enough. New additions and renovations don't seem like the designer had the history and the original design of the school in mind. The campus is almost separated. There is the main area around College Ave, the Music building area (it's kind of a long distance from Curry to the Music building), Gatewood and the Weatherspoon Art Museum, the Bryan School, and the new Science building/Nursing school area. I sometimes wish the flow of the campus was a little more though out, as I sometimes find myself wandering through gaps in buildings trying to find where I need to go.

http://www.blandwood.org/images/UNCG.jpg

Technology- Having gone to Appalachian State University my first year of college, it is easy to compare UNCG to App technology wise. Overall, UNCG is well past App's technology, with new computers, interactive things around campus, the noises that come from the walk/do not walk signs- UNCG is clearly ahead of Appalachian. UNCG also has more computer labs available around campus, with more computers in every lab (really super convenient!) The technology that UNCG lacks is green technology. Appalachian is on a quest for a sustainable campus. At orientation I was given a Nalgene bottle and heavily encouraged not to drink bottled water. Even more encouraging- App has water bottle fill stations beside most of their water fountains, making it more than easy to re use your water bottle.

Surface- Upon first impression, UNCG has alot of red brick. It is not until you walk around campus and see all of the red brick that you realize that there are many different kinds and styles, depending on the era it was built. The brick pathway through the park on spring garden, most of the buildings, parking decks, and even the historic Foust Building. No school could be more of a brick jungle than NC State, so the brick around our campus is pleasing enough to the eye, especially with the great foliage brought to us by our friendly lawn and grounds crews.