First Pechakucha

 

As part of the project, I made a pechakucha to briefly discuses the issues I was exploring and describe my senior thesis and project to show for it. The pechakucha is a presentation consisting of 20 images that are each posted for 20 seconds. I made my first pechakucha and immediately began to challenge the constraints. My next one consists of 20 video clips than for 20 seconds relating to me as an artist, for personal practices. In regards of the project, I may do the same for the inspiration of the project, or even for each of the concepts.

Why did I decide to care about nature?

Going outdoors and camping was always a treat for me. I was a Boy Scout and would go camping at least once, if not twice, every month. Each trip provided a treasurable  experience, allowing me to see a form of peace with nature, people, and with myself. Camping was a major outlet for my stress. Every time I entered these wide, open, and seemingly endless, spaces, I felt as though I was separate from my regular world, and no one else, and nothing else, mattered. It was just me, the land, and those around me, which were always a small amount of people.

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When I stopped camping, my stress spiked and I had all  these anxiety issues and problems and realized, I was constantly engaged with the urban landscape, where there are tons of people, who may, or may not be a knucklehead that causes problems for you. I do like the urban spaces, however. They provide a different type of adventure which I want to engage in the human element and meet new faces that may be included into my circles. Although I grew up in Greensboro and Charlotte, I still spent most of my time in an urban, or suburban environment and have been tolerant of the culture, and to a degree, I empathize with the artist, Maya Lin. I experienced what both worlds had to offer and identified myself in some part with these lands; and so to enjoy the things we make for our living standards to be more pleasurable, and yet, pay homage to the land that provides the space for our living, I believe we can do better to our roommates, who are vegetation that grew in this area; the insects who tend to the vegetation, the birds who tend to the insects and the rest of the natural wildlife tend to each other and others. So finding a way to not only pollute so much, but to actually invite nature in the spaces I occupy,while still enjoying the human environment, is a current challenge I want to face.

In conclusion, we are all connected with one another in some kind of way, period, and with every action you make, it affects the systems we live in and I would like to be more conscious of that, and just as empathetic, and doing that without losing your own standards is a contradictory challenge I know is possible and am interested in learning.

Origin of project

The project began as an assignment for the interactive design course. One of the professors, Dr. Manny Reyes, from the department of environmental design wanted a living sculpture in correlation to the ongoing research he and his team of students were pursuing. The research runs along the lines of studying ways to make growing healthy and edible food in urbanized environments more possible. For one of our class periods, we went over to Sockwell, to visit Dr. Reyes and the research students. During our visit, they did a brief presentation of their research and introduced some of the interesting projects they have created. One idea was for these sofa beds, which would be used  to house plants in urban spaces and provide a space for them to grow. The plants grown, could potentially provide food for nearby pedestrians. This concept relates to the challenge of growing food closer to the TED Talk video of James Kunstler’s Advice. He suggests that we downsize and rescale everything in our lifestyles. After the presentation, I began noting down everything I could about the project.

The goal was simple. Design a sculpture capable of conducting bio-mymicry  and do so with the best design choices you can make. I immediately looked for what information defining what a living sculpture actually is. From Wikipedia, it is simply put as any form of sculpture with some form of growing vegetation. For three weeks, each individual looked into different designs. I surfed through the images of organic architecture. I was influenced by the structures and began thinking about what to apply to my design. I wanted a sculpture that starts a conversation of coexistence between Man and Nature. I kept the form of the sculpture simple and specific which led o the beginning designs of Nature’s City.

Why build anything at all?

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

 

– Matthews 7:12-

…your heavenly Father knows that you need them. but seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

 

-Matthews 7: 32-33-

 

I am currently giving these two scriptures some thought after the last few days’ events had transpired. Yesterday, April 17th 2014, one of my mentors and a classmate of mine were in a discussion about the concept behind my classmate’s work. The overall discussion was based around the responsibility designers, artists, creatives, etc. have when we make our work. Without getting into too much detail of my classmate’s work. The images he had been making with his photography were very strong, however could be very dangerous to his image and the image of others involved in his photography and reminded us of our responsibility as image makers. I immediately went back in my memory of a critique we had just a few days before. I then spoke to our mentor and asked him if that was what he was trying to warn me in the critique. He said yes and then asked me about my intentions behind the Eden Tower design. Just like the critique, I began defending my logic behind the design. The logic behind Eden Tower can be found in another post, but then the conversation seemed to turn into some kind of debate. I knew something wasn’t communicating clearly to me. He then commented about my ego and I immediately stopped and asked, “What exactly are you getting at?” This time I made every effort to listen to him as clearly as I could. Come to find out, he wasn’t trying to challenge my defense, but to shed light on the real value of my design choices for each of my concepts. I thought about the critique and I mentioned that Eden Tower was my favorite design, but didn’t clarify why. The tower was the newest, and thus, most pre-mature design I had made of the three, and considering its origins, there should have been a few flags pop up about its conceptual weakness. In the section, “Why Eden Tower fails.” I explain that the tower, with all good intentions, fell short because of its unnecessary functions as an architectural structure and its failure to solve, or efficiently talk about, the cultural/spiritual condition of humanity, or at least the cultural/spiritual condition of western culture.

I later returned to my archive of research materials. I looked into the ideas mentioned by Janine Benyus, Mitchell Joachim, Bjarke Ingles, and many other designers and great thinkers and thought, “despite these great ideas, the purpose and internal intentions are very important and may be for the wrong reasons. In an earlier critique, I received a concept for the living sculpture. “Why not leave the plot alone?” I am hesitant about the concept. Although that is the best message to give in conjunction with Dr. Reyes’ “Appreciate Nature as the way it is.” and the most obvious method to communicate that, it appeared to be a trickier and riskier move to make as a young artist. The following paragraphs are the thought processes supporting and rebelling the idea for a living sculpture, and will then be followed by a final decision and the reason behind that.

Strengths

Leaving the space blank seems conceptually unbeatable when discussing how human kind should interact with nature. To boldly do nothing, in the context to the message of Dr. Reyes’ work, would be a struck message that part of that appreciation is leaving the environment alone. It also speaks to the concept of the gnostic arguments and philosophy. The idea is for one to shun the material world in pursuit for the spiritual world. On a pragmatic level, it holds the potential to hold the conversation relating to other cultures that live healthier, more natural lives, such as the Mongolian nomads that travel throughout large parts of Asia, for 3,000 years, or the remnants of the countercultures of the 60’s where there were camps full of the hippies and the “tree huggers”. There have been multiple expressions, in art, culture and religion suggesting we  could, and likely should, go back to nomadic times, or live like Adam and Eve did in the Christian narrative. If nothing else, the action behind restricting the plot, planting the plants , and leaving it alone for the rest of time, would simply be the statement, “leave nature alone.”

Threats

Despite the benefits that come with the concept, there are a few issues I have with it. In the same class, I learned one key component every creative has to deal with anything one creates, presentation. Not all of wildlife looks “pretty” and the “clean” presentation that the flawed suburban neighborhoods pay some tribute to our design flaw in landscaping. Considering all that would be put into protecting the space from being altered I would have to consider there will always be those who break the law, and there is a battle of authority and ownership. Later I learned that the space is reserved as a green space, which is some relief, but it I am still concerned with the lack of appreciation of the majority of the audiences that look at it. This concept seems too easy to do, and I know it would take a lot of weight to defend that design decision and defend the reason, why I did not build a sculpture at all. On a personal note, I feel like I would be cheating Dr. Reyes, and other people in the concept. The practical goal  for this project was to build a living sculpture. The intellectual goal is was to express the concept of appreciating nature. There also seemed to be a sub theme of Man’s coexistence with nature. The other conversation this action would take would challenge everything regarding to the way we live. “Why live in houses built the way they are? Why live in them at all? Why live in a ‘McMansion’ that’s ‘green architecture’ which costs too much money when Mongolian nomads live in portable tents that do a better job than the McMansions at a cheaper cost?” Well the issue is that we, westerners, do not seem to  be willing to “go back” as part of the Gnostic arguments demands. We seem to be in a Pandora’s box where once we reached a jump in technology that changed one’s way of living, we were too spoiled to return to previous way of life (mind you I refer to the perceived majority despite the counter cultures, and those who could not afford to join the bandwagon, that spawned form such actions). On form of evidence that supports the majority’s ‘stubbornness’ are historical periods in time where there was a purge of man-made objects that were condemned to embody man’s vanity. The Bonfire of the Vanities February 7th, 1497 where renowned artists, Sandro Botticelli and Fra Bartolommeo burned their paintings as a gesture of expelling vanity, and other temptations to sin, in the objects. If the concept was the abolishment of vanity, which can be applied to architecture; technology; and other man-made objects,  then one would think we should not do the same for everything, yet people aren’t burning down their houses or their artwork that hang on the walls, etc. The culture is too comfortable in its current state that it is reluctant to change, so to so directly and bold make this decision, I think, is premature to make.

Final Decision

In regards to the titled question, I believe act of doing nothing is a move I am not qualified to make and despite cultural changes that have happened in the last century and the perceived “openness to thought” our contemporary times present, I believe doing nothing is an unacceptable decision. However, I believe it is a truth that we must stop imposing our arrogant presence onto nature with our technological advances. I propose the concept “The Wall” as derivative of the argument. In agreement that we must appreciate nature as its beauty, the wall serves as an addition to the protection of the land. To put a wall around the land is a practical way of keeping man, who I fear is collectively not mature enough to fully respect nature yet, way from the environment’s “innocence”. This also remarks a reminder of our ancestral relationship to the “perfect” environment, the Garden of Eden, illustrated in the christian narrative and other religious/spiritual interpretations. The wall will serve as that reminder of our flaws and the idea that because of our transgression is why it is difficult, for us to return to the ideal harmony of nature.  In discussion around this concept, and the content connected to it, will open a conversation that hopefully would inspire for inner improvement, combined with acquisition of knowledge, and the the expulsion of one’s arrogance as we “progress”.

Conclusion

After contemplating on the concept, and my reaction to that concept, my thoughts sill swam around the ingenious practice of the mandala. Despite the cultural reference and meaning of the ritual, there are still other teachings that are in the same field. I looked into the scriptures of my own faith and found two teachings that were recorded from Christ in my favorite book, the book of Matthews, in it I found these concepts and thought about the 12th concept from the the video “12 Sustainable Design ideas from Nature” that Nature designs the conditions that are conducive to life and its “progression”. I switched the context from nature to God and was reminded: In regards to my faith, despite our technological advances, and the visions we have with them, we must remember that God is the best designer and the conditions he made for life does not really require our intervention. This resulted in my intentions behind all of my architectural concepts for the living sculpture, that although nature does not need us, as we continue to live, take up resources, and space, we must at least give something back to it that is better than the last contribution. I humans need buildings, at least make the buildings contribute more to nature than a reduced statistic of pollutants it produces. With that ideology in mind, I am ready to participate with other designers and architects, as some pockets of humanity work towards these “green” concepts.

Bibliography

Film

The Day After Tomorrow. Dir. Roland Emmerich. Perf. Dennis Quaid, Jake Gyllenhaal, Ian Holm, Emmy Rossum, Sela Ward. 20th Century Fox, 2004. Film.

The Day the Earth Stood Still. Dir. Robert Wise. Perf. Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, Hugh Marlowe. 20th Century Fox, 1951. Film.

The Day the Earth Stood Still. Dir. Robert Wise. Perf. Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, Hugh Marlowe. 20th Century Fox, 1951. Film.

 

Articles

Rinpoche, Sakyong M. “Karma and Smartphones: How to Use Technology From a Buddhist Perspective.” Huffington Post: Religion. Huffington Post, 2 June 2013. Web. 18 Apr. 2014. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sakyong-mipham-rinpoche/karma-and-smartphones-how-to-use-technology-from-a-buddhist-perspective_b_3365310.html&gt;.

Pham, Diane. “Bosco Verticale in Milan Will Be the World’s First Vertical Forest Read more: Bosco Verticale in Milan Will Be the World’s First Vertical Forest | Inhabitat – Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building .”Inhabitat. Inhabitat, 16 Oct. 2011. Web. 7 Feb. 2014.

 

Books

Hick, John. God and the Universe of Faiths. London:
Macmillan, 1973.
An Interpretation of Religion: Human
Responses to the Transcendent. New Haven, CT:
Yale University Press, 1989.
Advisory ed. Religious Pluralism. A special
issue of Faith and Philosophy 5, no. 4 (October, 1988).
Contains important essays by John Hick,
Joseph Runzo, William Alston, and others.

Life Application Study Bible. Large Print. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1991. Print.

Lin, Maya. Maya Lin: Boundaries. New York City, NY: Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, 2006. Print.

 

Documentaries

Documentary | Religions of the World (Hinduism) – Full Documentary. Dir. Hearthorbeguy. Liberty International Entertainment Inc., 2000. Youtube. Web. 15 Mar. 2014. <http://youtu.be/iidsL8zBew4&gt;.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water. Dir. IN-D. IN-D, 2005. DVD.

World Religions: Taoism (Daoism). Dir. Faith Reason. Youtube, 17 Jan. 2011.Youtube. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. <http://youtu.be/cZiasFYQSj8&gt;.

World Religions: Confucianism. Dir. Faith Reason. Youtube, 17 Jan. 2011. Youtube. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. <http://youtu.be/AATVRx3ReKU&gt;.

Buddhism Taoism and Confucianism in China. Dir. Eduardo Tejada. Youtube, 8 Apr. 2011. Youtube. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. <http://youtu.be/AATVRx3ReKU&gt;.

Daoism. Dir. Religious Studies. Youtube, 22 Apr. 2013. Youtube. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. <http://youtu.be/vdbbdVWIiKo&gt;.

 

Video

How I learned to stop worrying and love “useless” art. Dir. TED. Perf. Luke Syson. Youtube, 16 Jan. 2014. Youtube. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-Uvy6pvLA4&index=5&list=PLK1ZBe51BsuEw0bkswf9lr3AE–LQpouD&gt;.

How bad architecture wrecked cities. Dir. TED. Perf. James Kunstler. Youtube, 16 May 2007. Youtube. Web. 17 Feb. 2014. <http://youtu.be/Q1ZeXnmDZMQ&gt;.

Architecture for the people by the people. Dir. TED. Perf. Alastair Parvin. Youtube, 23 May 2013. Youtube. Web. 18 Feb. 2014. <http://youtu.be/Mlt6kaNjoeI&gt;.

Hedonistic Sustainability. Dir. TED. Perf. Bjarke Ingels. Youtube, 17 May 2011.Youtube. Web. 17 Apr. 2014. <http://youtu.be/ogXT_CI7KRU&gt;.

Architecture is a Language. Dir. TED. Perf. Daniel Libeskind. Youtube, 19 Sept. 2012. Youtube. Web. 1 Jan. 2014. <http://youtu.be/yEkDosanxGk&gt;.

Don’t build your home, grow it! Dir. TED. Perf. Mitchell Joachim. Youtube, 2 July 2010. Youtube. Web. 12 Mar. 2014. <http://youtu.be/Rw9s0ivfn3w&gt;.

Minimalism. Dir. Art & Architecture. Youtube, 17 Jan. 2013. Youtube. Web. 23 Jan. 2014. <http://youtu.be/VFuso5e78M8&gt;.

For more wonder, rewild the world. Dir. TED. Perf. George Monbiot. Youtube, 20 Jan. 2014. Youtube. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. <http://youtu.be/U_j_D6vjKe0&gt;.

Maya Lin, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, 1982. Dir. Smarthistory, Art History at Khan Academy. Perf. Maya Lin. Youtube, 23 Sept. 2013. Youtube. Web. 30 Mar. 2014. <http://youtu.be/wuxjTxxQUTs&gt;.

How A Tree Grows. Dir. nmsuaces. Youtube, 12 Feb. 2010. Youtube. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. <http://youtu.be/B5p4Fw6Ngjw&gt;.

12 sustainable design ideas from nature. Dir. TED. Perf. Janine Benyus. Youtube, 8 Apr. 2011. Youtube. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. <http://youtu.be/n77BfxnVlyc&gt;.

New York | “Exclusive” . Dir. Art21. Perf. Maya Lin. Youtube, 3 May 2013.Youtube. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. <http://youtu.be/R4wDmI-aL4M&gt;.

Maya Lin. Dir. SinoVision English Channel Archives. Perf. Maya Lin. Youtube, 10 Aug. 2012. Youtube. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. <http://youtu.be/vLyXqY0X2iE&gt;.

Building the Seed Cathedral. Dir. TED. Perf. Thomas Heatherwick. Youtube, 17 May 2011. Youtube. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. <http://youtu.be/oXbhTHaMwTw&gt;.

Using nature’s genius in architecture. Dir. TED. Perf. Michael Pawlyn. Youtube, 11 Feb. 2011. Youtube. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. <http://youtu.be/3QZp6smeSQA&gt;.

Let the environment guide our development. Dir. TED. Perf. Johan Rockstrom. Youtube, 31 Aug. 2010. Youtube. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. <http://youtu.be/RgqtrlixYR4&gt;.

Construction and Destruction of a Mandala. Dir. satmoksha. Perf. Dali Lama. Youtube, 13 July 2009. Youtube. Web. 18 Apr. 2014. <http://youtu.be/10084L3Pqsc&gt;.

America’s Best Architecture | ARTLAND. Dir. Reserve Channel. Youtube, 30 Jan. 2013. Youtube. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. <http://youtu.be/8zBG1xML8U0&gt;.

Why we should build wooden skyscrapers. Dir. TED. Perf. Michael Green. Youtube, 9 July 2013. Youtube. Web. 18 Apr. 2014. <http://youtu.be/Xi_PD5aZT7Q&gt;.

 

Website

“Gnosticism.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia, N.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnosticism&gt;.

Das, Subhamoy. “‘Shatkona’ or Six-pointed Star.” Online posting. About.com.About.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2014. <http://hinduism.about.com/od/artculture/ig/Sacred-Symbols-of-Hinduism/Symbol—Shatkonam.htm&gt;.

Eduljee, K. E. “Saka Relationship with Iran-Shahr & People. Nomads. Predatory Peoples, Paraetacen Part 2.” Heritage Institute. N.p., 2005-2013. Web. 14 Apr. 2014. <http://heritageinstitute.com/zoroastrianism/saka/saka2.htm&gt;.

Weiser, Kathy. “Mesa Verde National Park.” Legend of America. Aug. 2011. Web. 18 Apr. 2014. <http://www.legendsofamerica.com/co-mesaverde.html&gt;.

Weiser, Kathy. “North Dakota Legends: Knife River Indian Villages.” Legends of America. Legends of America, May 2013. Web. 18 Apr. 2014. <http://www.legendsofamerica.com/nd-kniferivervillages.html&gt;.

“Petra.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia, N.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petra&gt;.

“Todao Ando.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia, n.d. Web. 10 Jan. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tadao_Ando&gt;.

“Pleaching.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia, n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleaching&gt;.

Davinić , Žarko.Museumotel, Rue Jean-Baptiste Demenge. Archiscene. Web. 26 Dec. 2013. <http://www.archiscene.net/hotels/museumotel-pascal-hausermann/&gt;.

Sachs, Sun. “Artist: Odani Motohiko.” Teleautomaton. Tumblr.com, 12 Feb. 2011. Web. 29 Jan. 2014. <http://teleautomaton.com/post/3251824697/artist-odani-motohiko&gt;.

“Massimiliano Fuksas.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia, n.d. Web. 28 Feb. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuksas&gt;.

“Farnsworth House.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia, n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farnsworth_House&gt;.

“Arcosanti.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia, n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcosanti&gt;.

“Kendrick Bangs Kellogg.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia, n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kendrick_Bangs_Kellogg&gt;.

“Richard Serra.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia, n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Serra&gt;.

“Hanging Gardens of Babylon.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia, n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanging_Gardens_of_Babylon&gt;.

“Mandala.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia, n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandala&gt;.

“Lingam.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia, n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lingam&gt;.

“Microclimate.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia, n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microclimate&gt;.

“Frank Lloyd Wright.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia, n.d. Web. 16 Mar. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Lloyd_Wright&gt;.

“Types of Wood.” Hoove Design. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2014. <http://www.hoovedesigns.com/woods.html&gt;.

“Artists who burned or destroyed all their works.” WikiLists. WikiLists, n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2014. .

“Sandro Botticelli.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia, n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandro_Botticelli&gt;.

“Francis Bacon.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia, n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Bacon_(artist)&gt;.

“Bonfire of the Vanities.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia, n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonfire_of_the_Vanities#Burning_of_Sandro_Botticelli.27s_paintings&gt;.

“Franz Kafka.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia, n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Kafka&gt;.

“Lin Fengmian.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia, n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lin_Fengmian&gt;.

“Garden of Eden.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia, n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_of_Eden#Biblical_narratives&gt;.

“Vasily Vereshchagin.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia, n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2014. <http://www.abcgallery.com/V/vereshchagin/vereshchaginbio.html&gt;.

“Living sculpture.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia, Web. 22 Apr. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_sculpture&gt;.

 

Images

“Strawberry Tree – Arbutus Unedo.” DoLeaf. DoLeaf, n.d. Web. 7 Apr. 2014. .

“Everbearing Strawberry.” DoLeaf. DoLeaf, n.d. Web. 7 Apr. 2014. .

“Clementine Tree.” DoLeaf. DoLeaf, n.d. Web. 7 Apr. 2014. .

“Toro Blueberry.” DoLeaf. DoLeaf, n.d. Web. 7 Apr. 2014. .

“Rabbiteye Blueberry.” DoLeaf. DoLeaf, n.d. Web. 7 Apr. 2014. .

“Heritage Raspberry.” DoLeaf. DoLeaf, n.d. Web. 7 Apr. 2014. .

“Gala Apple Tree.” DoLeaf. DoLeaf, n.d. Web. 7 Apr. 2014. .

“Key Lime Tree.” DoLeaf. DoLeaf, n.d. Web. 7 Apr. 2014. .

 

Personal Interview

Iwinski, Mark. Personal interview. 31 Jan. 2014.

Flanders, April. Personal interview. 31 Jan. 2014.

 

 

Things to think about – Why buses represent democracy in action

 

I’ve been looking into a repository  of ted talks and other video media, relating one issue humanity has. This video specifically, has several interesting practical ideas to serve the overall purpose. The concept to have bike highways, would allow bikers to safely travel. This would be most useful in densely populated places like New York City, or even creating separate walkways where pedestrians do not have to worry about the

It is Done!

Hey Everyone! The website is official complete! Please come and take a look and send some feedback on any of my social media.

Final Decision – The final Sculpture.

This project is the start of other great things. I am still thinking of other solutions that can be applied to our “modern Day” architecture, however, I know that is something to look towards in the future. For the sake of time, I will have to choose Eden Tower. It takes the least amount of time to build and is the most inexpensive. In an earlier critique, I was informed combining the three seemed inevitable, why not just combine the options. So, the first step is to build the Eden Tower. Later, it is possible to create the Mandala in the later future, and the natural city’s form does not have to be implemented because its conceptual purpose is being fulfilled by the tower, housing the vegetation. I have already typed up the expenses for the tower, the Maṇḍala will follow shortly.

 

Eden Tower Expenses

It should only take four days max to  build it, and the cost is inexpensive. This project will be the first step to something greater.

*Update* This decision was made before my practice orals, I realized that although Eden Tower is the most inexpensive concept of the three, as well as the quickest to construct, it was still conceptually weak. The better choice is the mandala for its conceptual strength, stronger design decisions, and its stronger relevance and relationship to the original problem I am personally pursuing. I strongly advise the construction of that design over Eden Tower.*

Ever-bearing Strawberries

The Ever-bearing strawberries are small plants that are grown as small shrubbery and bushes and later grow taller into trees. The are incredibly cheap and grow year round. If anyone gets any of these types of trees, I would suggest them being planted around the edges of the sculptures so over time, they will grow and help shield the structure from exposure.  Another idea is to have them planted around the edges of the area so as they grow, the become a wall, or gate to the viewer, establishing the boundaries and and yet inviting the viewer with fruit.

Fast Growing trees.com offer these plants for about a dollar, to two, per tree, and can get them in groups of 50 to 100

More information is presented here regarding the prices of the strawberries.

 

Arbutus Unedo – Strawberry tree

Native to Mediterranean region and Western Europe

Great evergreen , medium size tree or multi stemmed shrub, with leathery, shiny leaves.

Flowers are honey scented and produced from September to December . The flower color varies from white to pink. Since the fruit take about 12 months to ripen, the tree carries both mature fruits and flowers at the same time .

The fruit is edible, though many people find it bland and mealy.

A wine is made from the fruit in Corsica; a fiery spirit extracted from it in Spain; and it is used as flavoring for liqueurs in Portugal.

Great cinnamon colored bark.

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