The Possible Futures of William Shatner and Other Simulacra of Non-Linearity or …how to be cool
2007

Professor(s): Alexandra C. French, Brooks T. Atwood

Description/Objectives: "Innovation" has become the wasteland of a defunct architectural pedagogy, evidenced most pointedly by an uncontrolled and unquestioned fascination with digital technologies. With the absence of any framework for analysis, production is corrupt and meaningless.

This seminar+workshop will explore the use of non-linear and computational architectural notions and their potential for space and idea making. Students will be asked to manipulate generative systems, diagram non-linear relationships and analyze pattern based organization. Examples might include the documentation of flocking patterns or a close reading of Piranesi's Carceri series. In morphological terms, what is the difference between a sheep and a lamb?

The class will deal with many different aspects of what defines the critical cool from Miles Davis to David Lynch, follies, plaid, sushi and style. Intensive investigation of field conditions and pattern making will set the stage for a true discussion of agency, both global and individual.

Ultimately, in this seminar+workshop the Student will produce a generative manifesto to serve as the conceptual underpinning for the duration of his/her architectural career.

In short:

Pre-heat the oven to 364 degrees. Stir together the non-linearity and the sublime in a large glass bowl. Slowly (and carefully) combine the algorithms, simulacrum and the cool in a separate dimension (preferably a heat resistant one). Next, butter your Cartesian plane and spread liberally with the light. Once the oven has reached its potential, set your blender to the speed of sound and quickly combine the mass of non-linearity and sublime with the algorithmic paste with the water. Place mixture in your buttered Cartesian plane, calibrate and reinterpret into polar coordinates and place in oven for 11 days. Be sure to allow for differences in the space/time continuum at different altitudes. Serves 2. Enjoy.

Reading/Writing Assignments:
Students will be asked to design and fabricate digitally based methodologies in ways unique to the specific technologies and non-linear concepts. In addition, students will be required to produce a one-page manifesto. Coursework will be divided between lecture/demonstrations and workshops that take place in the studio, the fabLAB and off site investigations.

Sample Reading List:
Leibniz, Gottfried Wilhelm , Monadology Conrads, Ulrich , Programs and Manifestoes on 20th Century Architecture Reiser + Umemoto , Atlas of Novel Techtonics

Sample Film List:
PI, Nostalghia, Element of Crime, Fight Club, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Lost Highway

Sample Music List:
Miles Davis, David Bowie, Pixies, Nina Simone, John Coltrane

Other Requirements:
Course Open to All Students willing to eliminate universal preconceptions