Hello,

I just read an interesting article by Elizabeth Cline titled “Building Without Walls” in SEED Magazine, and I wanted to share it with you since I think it is related to our discussions on objects, spaces, design, art and science. I’ve already read similar discussions on this blog, so maybe this is a good opportunity for a second round of opinions.

Cline argues that “a new breed of architectural objects, inspired by theoretical science, is changing how we think about building and what counts as art.” She does that by referring to “Transitory Objects,” an exhibit at Vienna’s Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary gallery. The exhibit, according to Cline, goes forward in collapsing the boundaries between architectural objects, conceptual art, and theoretical science. Having that in mind, the architects embrace the impermanence of their work and engage in a process of producing structures that follow scientific laws and principles. As such, they are probably never finished, but continuously adapt to their environment and use.

I particularly like the argument of “letting go of determinist ideas of structural planning - suggesting that a city’s infrastructure should always be adapting.” However, I did not find an emphasis on the users or inhabitants of these structures as their co-producers or co-adapters. Cline repeats at the end of her article the idea of fragmentation and incompleteness in architectural design, and quotes Daniela Zyman (the curator of the exhibit) in saying that “the architect has to decide at which point the algorithm stops.” And the point of decision reflects the moment of maturation of the architect. I think the fluidity and openness of the structure actually invites the users to jointly select the algorithm, and thus, the architect is no longer a lone individual, but part of this ecology.

Going back to AL and Aileen’s installation, the question is what were its ‘walls.’ Beyond the physical walls and panels, my guess is that the biggest walls were those which facilitated predictability of the process. Same applies to this blog. Having said that, do we remove these walls and how? Or are we more interested in building temporary walls as reference points and guidance. I don’t think I’m very squared in my thinking, but its hard for me to hang a picture frame without any walls :)

Best,

Bojan