So, let me try to get caught back up, in the order in which things occurred. As noted in the last post, we were asked to create a 100-word abstract for our project- at least, as we see it now- along with an illustration of some sort. We also had advanced notice that besides the 4 short documents, were are expected to read Thinking Architecture by Peter Zumthor. So, that is what I spent Tuesday doing (aside from a little work for my TA job, and attending *sigh* my sociology class). The Zumthor I am only about a third of the way through at the moment, but I find it a very good read- he has a good tone (although what I'm reading is a translation from the original German, so who really knows who to give credit to) and his ideas are far reaching and right up my alley.
The abstract took a surprisingly long time to narrow down. Which seems ridiculous for 100 words, because, as you might be able to tell, I can write 100 words in about zero seconds flat. But that is perhaps the biggest problem. I have been thinking about this idea, or some version of it, for pretty much my entire college career. I have quite a few opinions and thoughts about it, so how do I find a way to be succinct? After brainstorming in my sketchbook (which is right now full of way more notes than sketches!), I delivered an abstract of about 180 words, and then very selectively cut out words, sentences, ideas... and then started changing vocabulary to get exactly the correct number. I actually think I ended one under. This is a true accomplishment for me. Okay, so without further ado, take a look at this short, concise, abstract:
My project will be focused on how architecture and nature can bring about mental and spiritual health. A perfect client for this type of design is veterans of war, who frequently return with wounds that only they feel, which never receive proper attention. Most cultures have a “cleansing ritual” for returning warriors, which re-initiates them into everyday life. American society has no equivalent. My project will serve this purpose- a retreat, situated deep into nature, connected to the land, and sustainable on all fronts, which invites people to meditate on their experiences, face their demons, and open themselves up to heal.
So- there you go. I don't know if I can do much more to explain what I want than that. Really. That's which it took so long!
I also did a pretty quick ink on paper sketch to accompany it, because 100 words on a page is pretty blank. It was (if you are like, cough cough, someone I know, and don't get it) a view of an aspen grove and pine trees. It came with the caption, "My most spiritual and epiphanous moments have been found in the Colorado mountains, with the deep green pine, and golden aspen. A healing force continues to draw me there." Here is the sketch:
And here is the overall composition of the abstract:
And that does it for Day 2. Except of course, a general note of appreciation for Cailin, who helped me move various things lying around our house into studio, which was quite a lot of work because this stuff was HEAVY. I really should try to sell off all my plaster of paris... or at least use it!
Day 3 is my very, very long day, which starts at 9 for theory seminar, hiccups for an hour of lunch, and then meets again for normal studio- that is, 1 - 6. And although it was a long day, I try to look on the bright side.
1.) I didn't have to be there until 10. I say this because Reich teachers both of the aforementioned classes as well as ANOTHER class from 7 - 10. 10?!? I've actually taken the class- EDES 406, which is really late at night, but a good class overall. It's for the sustainability minor, and a pretty good survey of a bunch of topics. I learned quite a lot actually. Anyway, I wouldn't like to have such a long day- even once a week.
2.) I didn't have to run from theory to another class during the lunch hour (12-1), and then onto studio. A girl in our class had to do this, and it seemed really stressful!
3.) We didn't have theory in studio! This is wonderful, for a number of reasons, primarily that we didn't have to be in studio. Not that it isn't beautiful. It is. But we are going to be spending a LOT of time there, so we might as well enjoy some other place, right? Plus, where we went was Linnaea's., which is one of my favorite places in this town. It reminds me of home. And the coffee is very tasty.
Anyway, so overall, I think it ended up being positive. It was also pretty laid back. I mean, how can it not be when you spend the first three hours at a cafe chatting? Granted, it was structured chatting- and about on-topic stuff, but that doesn't make it any less interesting to me. Since we were discussing the readings from before, it was a really thoughtful conversation between 21 people sitting around a hodge-podge of back-patio tables.
After the reading discussion, we moved on to the abstracts- sort of. No one used the abstracts, but rather just casually presented their ideas to the class. Which probably suited a lot of people better, because I don't think everyone has a clear direction yet of exactly what they want. We didn't get through everyone, because every proposal brought up a new set of things to discuss, but the things I did get to hear were really interesting- a collaborative campus for Disney, a study of how film can inform architecture, guerrilla architecture/art installations, and a modern Roman bath, among others. It means we have quite a breadth of objectives and insights, which can make for the best environments for learning.
As far as the 'discussion' surrounding my project, I worry it got a little side-tracked, because another student (very thoughtfully, I will note) suggested a possible location for a veteran-related project in LA, where the VA owns a large site off of the 405, but has no idea of what it actually wants to do there. This has very little to do with what I actually want to achieve, in several ways, but it is a new way of looking at the situation. However, it caused a discussion related to magnitude and scope, suggesting that my project might need to be toned-down to make it manageable. At the moment I am more concerned with being misunderstood than that my project is too big. I imagined it as something small, discreet, and intimate. I can't imagine really healing on a big institutionalized campus. But I guess it is something to keep track of.
He also mentioned (and I'm trying not to get too flustered about this, because he was really speaking to everyone about all of this) making sure that the project- something that makes people care about your work. And to specify- not just the social good of the project (healing veterans) but the design itself (a retreat that heals). So I don't know. I think I have a hook. Right? Right? I think so, even if I'm feeling really uncertain about myself at the moment. I still believe in it.
He tried to give us some advice about how to further what we are working on. What was really funny was that when he turned to my project, he sort of stumbled for something to tell me. In the end, he addressed the issue of the 'ritual cleansing' and researching exactly what that is or could be. He said (and please, please, let it be his dry humor, not a serious question), "what does it entail? I'm imagining de-lousing and showers and such..." Oh good lord! I hope not! I will clarify- a ritual cleansing is a metaphor. I mean, there are ritual cleansings which are, in fact, some form of bathing. But that isn't what I'm suggesting. I mean it more as an analogy. In fact, the American version of this, before the airplane became standard transport, was the re-entry process that took months, and allowed soldiers to commiserate and mourn as a group- almost like a casual, continuous group-therapy session. And- it ended in a re-entry process by the rest of society, which included deep pride in the sacrifice of soldiers, which was outwardly shown through events like parades.
However, I DO think that actual, non-metaphorical rituals could be helpful in understanding what it is I'm suggesting, and what has actually served to heal soldiers and communities in the past and present. So, here are a few things I found:
"Every warrior society has a "purification ritual" to help returning warriors deal with their "blood guilt" and to reassure them that what they did in combat was "good." Features of the ritual are a "group therapy" session and a ceremony embracing the veteran back into the tribe. Modern Western rituals traditionally involve long periods while marching or sailing home, parades, monuments, and unconditional acceptance from society and family." -Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman
"War poisons the spirit and warriors return tainted. This is why, among many traditional cultures, including Native American, Zulu, Buddhist and ancient Israeli, returning warriors were put through significant rituals of purification before re-entering their families and communities. Traditional cultures recognized that unpurified warriors could, in fact, be dangerous. This helps explain why suicide, homicide and other destructive acts are common among veterans." -Edward Tick, Ph. D.
I think, in context of a global ritual archetype then, it is appropriate to ask why we no longer have one in American culture. And how it could be reintroduced (even in the form of a small-scale initiative like a mountain retreat) in order to help recreate the balance that allows soldiers to come back into society as incorporated members of it.
And lastly, on a much less stately note, we spent a good hour to hour and a half re-arranging our desks yesterday. It was incredibly necessary, because everyone has to like where they are, since we are stuck this way for the next 9 months. But it took a long, long time. In the end, I got to keep my near-window seat, and am sharing a sort of nook space with Danielle- the one contemplating the Disney collaborative campus. I think we are going to have a lot of fun in our little corner, from what I can tell so far!
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