Site selection is beginning to stagnate, so I need to focus on theory to move forward
Site – New Orleans, Gettysburg, DC
New Orleans – abandoned city, walls not levies around worst hit places to prevent rebuilding, new FEMA headquarters, monument to the dead and failings of government, emergency shelter
DC – not discussed much, but maybe the Reichstag is so clear an example of my intentions that it could harm my thesis were it to be placed here.
Gettysburg – John finally convinced (collective sigh of relief), experiential “monument” relating built form to nature
Theory – continue to work on my definitions, especially at the elemental level of “what is monument?”
What is the life span of my monument? What is the short view and the long view? Is anything permanent, or is it our perception of permanence? What is permanent today, does anything need to be permanent?
Can this monument “pulsate” with the needs of the times? Serve its purpose, disappear, or be recycled?
Who will sponsor this? Is government pure enough to make this statement? Who can be a “neutral party?” Investigate the origins of the most high profile monuments to understand how they came to be.
Also, no one builds a monument like a dictator, but not a single dictator ever thought what he was doing was wrong. Is something I want to do on this scale right? Am I going to be the Temple U thesis student version of a dictator?
More case studies, temple of Solomon, Michael heizer, Goldsworthy, Watts Towers in LAAnything i missed? Throw any case studies my way if you think of them.
1 comment:
Paul,
Not sure if this would help you out or not, but what if your idea of 'permanence' were to lie within the capability of this sustainable monument to adapt to the changing times. It's evolution with the economy/environment/culture could give it this permanent aspect and allow it to be adapted according to the newest emerging materials and technologies therefore maintaining its influence much longer than the typical short life-span structures of more recent times.
Hope this helps somewhat
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