150511 BTK Proposal

7/26/2019 150511 BTK Proposal

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To world (v.) our world; to design your own dasein1

Philosopher Martin Heidegger’s insightful interrogations on our being-in-the-world, specifically his essays ‘Question on

technology’, ‘On the Origins of Art’ and ‘Building Dwelling Thinking’, has disclosed a world of possible phenomenolog-

ical architecture/design for generations of enlightened readers. Ontology, or phenomenology, opens up possibilities for

measuring our living world poetically, while the question of beings always stays as its core.

In his writings Heidegger has concluded, that the work of art is a work of truth; and technology’s danger lies in render-

ing our world into ‘standing-reserve’. Yet in today’s world of contradictions and fluid changes, the question of being,

with which the questions of authenticity, techne, art and architecture, deserves a critical rethink.

Roy Ascott, pioneering telematic artist and theoretician, argues that we must seek possibilities for telematic embrac-

es and consciousness as we now dwell in a different world2. Reductionists must give way for an emerging syncretic

world of both the telematic and the real, the individual and the world.

Discussion on harnessing technological advancement for human dwelling as well as city formation has in fact pre-

vailed for decades, with a regime of possibilities explored by avant-gardes, artists or industries till today. Yet in retro-

spect, overzealous optimism in technology like that of Archigram might even be considered perverseness. With all

these in mind, the aim of this research is to bridge the wildest possibility of media space with Ontology, in the form ofmeaningful interventions as well as contemplation. As a continuation to previous research semester on Heidegger at

the Institute for Arts and Architecture, Akademie der Bildenden Kunste Wien, the possibility of joining the Master in

Media Space program would provide an invaluable opportunity for exploring the program’s agenda to the fullest.

I wish to develop my research interest in accordance with the following three, sequential questions: 1) Explore the

best potentiality in “Media Space”/ electronic art as a medium, as tools for heightened perceptions, 2) Disclose the

possible world of ‘Second phenomenon’, Media Space for ontological dwelling, 3) A possible, intervention catalogue

for a syncretic Media Architecture, where architecture reduces its role as infrastructure, while Media plays the lead-

ing role in disclosing ontological possibilities. Ultimately, publish a catalogue of intervention to be brought back to my

home city, Hong Kong.

WORLD WIDE WEB x

WORLDING WORLD

1. Da-sein is the authentic state

of being Heidegger described as

coming to full comprehension

of our being-in -the-world. Davis,

Bret W. 2010. Martin Heidegger:

key concepts. Durham [England]:

Acumen Pub.

2. Ascott, Roy, and Edward

A. Shanken. 2003. Telematic

embrace visionary theories of art,

technology, and consciousness.Berkeley: University of California

Press.

3. Roy Ascott’s lecture at the

University of Toronto, 2012

In search for a digital Ontology

Proposal for MDes in

media space application

introduction

3.

7/26/2019 150511 BTK Proposal


Inspirations -

3 tiers of question

1. media space as an medium

FACT:

a re-interpretation of

Martin Heidegger’s Bauen

Wohnen Denken, and his

thoughts on technology.

Use animations instead

of actual architectural

design to experience his

philosophy; a re-reflected

projection (projection on

mirror) to understand the

projector as a ‘thing’ - its

entire meaning in the

situation. / BArch History

Theory Criticism Studio1,

Institute for Art & Archi-tecture, Akademie der

Bildenden Kunste, Wien.

ASSUMPTION:

architecture’s powerfully

innate ability to create

‘places’ and influence

Gestalt psychology. Spatial

design instead of actual ar-

chitectural making (Gestalt

psychology as opposed

to architectural structural-

ism?) may bring us closer

to the aim. A basic, 3

dimensional settings, can

liberate novel spatial think-

ing and a corresponding

spatial phenomenology.

QUESTIONS:

How to continue this research by applying the question

of being in different contradictory and contemporary spa-

tial settings? In situations where the media plays a more

active role than the spatial background?

RESEARCH ON HEIDEGGER

AUGMENTED MOBILE REALITY

FACT:

First augmented reality

app. Open-source, se-

lective filter, and super-

imposed layers of media

information on the camera

view of physical surround-

ings.

ASSUMPTION:

The augmented mobile

screen is liberated from

a static screen. Allow

access to the cosmos of

a boundless, collective

media space.

QUESTIONS:

Problem of relevance.

Most information obtained

is from existing social me-

dia websites, information

from this information-ex-

plosion age, and is mostly

a translation of revelation

language. The app is there-

fore still an informational

tool than a work of art that

questions the medium’s

being as a thing –

how to possibly do so?

1. Studio Angelika Schnell & Eva Sommerberger, 2013-

14; in collaboration with Lukas Debiasi

7/26/2019 150511 BTK Proposal


Inspirations -

three tiers of question

1. media space as an medium

IMMENSIVE AFFECTS OF

KISSING ARCHITECTURE

Lavin, Sylvia. Kissing architecture / Sylvia Lavin. Prince-

ton, N.J. : Princeton UNIVERSITY Press, c2011.

FACT:

Use grasshopper (typical

parametric design tool)

to stimulate planets,

human behaviour or any

behavioural imaginations.

Diploma course at the

Institute for Art & Archi-

tecture, Akademie der

Bildenden Kunste, Wien.

Tutor: Titus Tarnai, DI Msc,

Columbia.

www.jahmetry.org/

ASSUMPTION:

A creative way of using

algorithm not as a means

(for parametric form) but

as an ends (behavioural

toy for interactions).

QUESTIONS:

Stimulation, a word of

complexity and paradox.

It suggests that there

is a better reality for the

digital world to imitate.

From virtual behaviour

(imitation) till virtual reality

(construct the virtual intothe real, example such as

the Frac Center, built to

imitate a nurb computer

model), how should these

approaches define and

discover our ontological

reality than creating toys?

ALGORITHM AS ORGANISM

FACT:

Sylvia Lavin’s book

discusses the capability

of architecture to create

intense ‘Affects’ than

‘Effects’ (narratives). From

the growing intimacy

between architecture

and new forms of art, the

guilty pleasure of engag-

ing with sensorial spaces/

atmospheres which aban-

dons the narrow focus on

function, might inspire a

new architecture.

ASSUMPTION:

There are similarities

as well as differences

between phenomenology

and the immersive affects;

intellection and kitsch. In

embracing and respond-

ing to the new forms of

spatial settings, phenome-

nology should absorb new

instrumentality.

QUESTIONS:

Relevance of the ephem-

eral. Common sense -

conscious and responsible

human beings cannot

always dwell in a dreamy

state. Yet if a phenome-

nological state of being

could be attained through

Holderin’s poems or

Tarskovsky’s films, instru-

mentality can of course

varies. It is the author’s

intention that defines.

7/26/2019 150511 BTK Proposal


Inspirations -


2. media space for second

phenomenon

BEING HUMAN IN A TECHNOLOGICAL AGE

Ascott, Roy, and Edward A. Shanken. 2003. Telematicembrace visionary theories of art, technology, and con-

sciousness. Berkeley: University of California Press.

Being th the World documentary, directed by Tao Ruspoli,

2010. 1. except from film’s website

FACT:

As pioneer in the scope of

telematics arts, Roy As-

cott argues, that although

medium and environment

may change, human spirit

and the will to realize or

transform remains the

same. “Every fibre, every

node…on the Net is a part

of me. It’s a phrase space

I’m in, a sort of tele-poten-

tiality. As I interact with

the Net, I reconfigure

myself. My net-extent

defines me, just as mybody defined me in the

old biological culture. I am

weightless and dimension-

less in any exact sense.

I am the reach of my

connectivity.”

ASSUMPTION:

A re-materialization of

telematics art will carry

telematics consciousness,

what could be described

as, the second order

senses. The second-order

senses differ from the

five senses of Aristotle,

carries the possibility of

comprehending multiple

selves, for example, the

connectivity of minds.

QUESTIONS:

Roy Ascott’s talk of telematicsconsciousness is in fact contrary

to the Heideggerian/ phenom-

enological ‘premordial being’,

and that technology poses the

danger of creating abundant

‘standing-reserve’ and therefore

the inability to distinguish au-

thentic being. How to reconcile

the differences?

ROY ASCOTT - 2ND ORDER SENSES

FACT:

The film is based on Mar-

tin Heidegger’s philosophy

and is inspired by Hubert

Dreyfus. “Being in the

World raises the ques-

tion of whether we have

forgotten what it means

to be truly human in

today’s technological age,

and proceeds to answer

this question by taking a

journey around the world

to meet a whole host of

remarkable individuals...

By showing how these

modern day masters

approach life from within

their chosen fields, Rus-

poli’s film celebrates the

ability of human beings to

find meaning in the world

through the mastery of

physical, intellectual, and

creative skills.”1

ASSUMPTION:

A diametrically opposite

view to Roy Ascott’s argu-

ments. Hubert Dreyfus’s

criticism on AI, on some

scientists’ false assump

that the brain is analogous

to computer hardware

and the mind is analogous

to computer software,

by performing discrete

computations (in the form

of algorithmic rules) on

discrete representations

or symbols. Heideggerain

notion of a highly context

bound phenomenology

and state of being, cannot

be attained in current

mode of technological

design.

QUESTIONS:

What is important is what

an ontology is for - as an

uproot re-invention ora syncretic reform and

adaptation...

7/26/2019 150511 BTK Proposal


Inspirations -


3. towards a media architecture

MEDIA SPACE AS SPATIAL REMEDY

Matthew Claudel. “Beyond “Things That Flicker”: TheNext Step for Media Architecture” 09 Oct 2014. Arch-

Daily. ACCESSED 14 May 2015. <http://www.archdaily.

com/?p=555398>

FACT:

Shanghai, China:

At a connection tunnel in a

subway station, two long

walls of projected adver-

tisement become the main

focus in the space.

ASSUMPTION:

By diming the light, hiding

horrendous construc-

tion detail and revealing

only the projection, an

atmospheric space is

achieved. Instead of LED

screen, projected wall is

pleasing to human eye. It

is perhaps the best tool

for reconciling media and

architectural world.

QUESTIONS:

Can this way of atmo-

spheric reconstruction

be generally applied as

a spatial remedy? For a

kind of architecture not

of drastic form, but of

intense engagement withits elements and circum-

stances...

BEYOND THINGS THAT FLICKER...

FACT:

“Beyond things that flicker

– the next step for Media

Architecture” Matthew

Claudel, Researcher at

MIT Sensible CityLab /

In this short article on

ArchDaily, researcher Mat-

thew Claudel discusses

the interfaces between

Media Architecture and

traditional architecture,

specifically the order of

a cathedral. Quoting the

architectural phenome-

nologist Pallasmaa, that“Architecture articulates

the experiences of

being-in-the-world and

strengthens our sense of

reality and self”; Claudel

concludes, a true Media

Architecture must “ignite

haptic consequences in a

meaningful and system-

atic way, beyond artistic

experiments or flickering

images across the built

environment.”

ASSUMPTION:

Ontology and phenom-

enology put up the

necessary critical guard for

reconciling ‘media’ and ‘ar-

chitecture’, between the

dynamism of networked,

variable system and the

sited, singular, persistent

actuality.

QUESTIONS:

“TV screens for living in”-

how will the dynamism of

media inform not only a sup-

plementary added-on feature,but also the environment for

actual dwelling?

(Questions to be continued)

7/26/2019 150511 BTK Proposal


Concepts

3 ongoing projects

(ongoing project with App programmer; patent pending..)

TOUCHSCREEN

thumb as thumb?

screen as screen?

hand as hand?

media content as

the inbetween

substance,

between the

order of the

thumb and the

context of one’s

hand.

media substance floatsor aligns with the hand

the real TOUCH

SCREEN to betouched on bothsides, in the fullcontext of the‘touch’

task

schedule

things that

constitute you

Further to the critique on the app layar, whatis the relevant ontogical question to be

raised? What is it to be mobile? What can an

app do?

MOBILE APP IN ITS FULL CONTEXT

1. 2.

3. 4.

and toward

a collective

database...

7/26/2019 150511 BTK Proposal


Concepts

3 ongoing projects

realtime mapping/ projected tool for

net-surfing consciousness

medium: rhino, grasshoppper, mosquito plug-in, projector

A MOON/ROOM OF ONE’S OWN

Through visualizing our dimensionless visit onsocial media websites, the projected image

of a planetary coexistence will serve as a tool

for heightened perception.

TRUE DISTANCE REQUIRES NEARNESS...

rendering of a possible outcome

7/26/2019 150511 BTK Proposal


Concepts

3 ongoing projects

rework on the essence of

translating 2D strokes into 3D space/place

medium: rhino, grasshopper, galapagas plug-in, arduino

THE PROFOUNDITY OF STROKES

1.

The problem of many parametric experiments

today, lies in the overzealous obsession inengineering process than a context-bound

outcome. Similar to what Kandinsky argues,

to engineer a dog’s bark into the sound of

violin is not art, yet... how to re-work the

essence of this engineering translation?

ENGINEERING ITSELF IS NOT ART YET...

Spatial translation, 2013 Spring

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Implementation

a bi-city catalogue of intervention based on Berlin & Hong Kong

tested in reallife, 1 to 1

medium: publication, installation, performance

A POSSIBLE FINAL PROJECT :

ONTOLOGICAL GUIDE TO SPATIAL REMEDY

In dealing with various spatial complexity and contradictions in the age of digital media, the city of Hong Kong is where

tension can be observed at extremity for its overcrowding density, consumerist culture and boiling political conflicts.

During the course of studies, it is hoped that innovative ideas will be explored most boundlessly at the vibrant cultural

capital of Berlin, within the 3-tier structure of investigation. As for a final outcome, the ultimate goal is to formulate a

comprehensive guide, for bringing a full catalogue of ideas back to Hong Kong’s reality. A method towards this goal

might be – to first understand the hidden ecosystem between media and space and the potential rooms for criticalinnovation, thus staging partial, real life ecosystem (installation and performance) in Berlin; and finally, publish a cata-

logue that will attempt to predict extremity. Such bi-city approach might become a challenging back-and-forth journey

through contextual, realist, surrealist or constructivist designs.

That said, what are the extremities in Hong Kong which might give media space an extraordinarily significant role?

First is Hong Kong’s abundance of vertical surfaces and severe lack of horizontal spaces. A major design problem

might be how to “hack” these vertical surfaces meaningfully for imaginative dwelling and being.

Second is the thirst for spatial resonance. Here in Hong Kong, due to soaring property price, spatial qualities are

always sacrificed for planning efficiency. This results in undesirable living conditions in both private and public space.

While traditional means of architecture planning or renovation might involve tedious negotiation process or even futileattempts, the tactics of creating “media space” might offer swift spatial remedies for the already ephemeral city cul-

ture.

Third is the necessary resistance to mundane consumerism – signage, billboards everywhere… and obsession with

mobile phones... Similar to point one, there must be a different phenomenon that challenges these consumerist hab-

its.

Fourth is to create meaningful, participatory temporality, as an inspired continuity to the Umbrella Revolution.

With you I wish all these ideas could be fully explored.

Mongkok, Hong Kong

during the Umbrella

Revolution. For months

people have paralysed

the main streets. Holding

your mobile device in the

crowd - is a resistance to

the consumerist billboad

background.

7/26/2019 150511 BTK Proposal


Kaman LAM

Born August 1992 in Hong Kong

00852-64222059 (Hong Kong)

[email protected]

EDUCATION

The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Bachelor of Art (Architectural Studies), GPA : 3.53/4

First Class Honours

The Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, Vienna

Exchange semester offered by HKU

Semester at HKU’s Shanghai Study Center

AWARDS

Hong Kong Young Design Talent Special Award 2014,

with a grant of HKD 250,000

Dean’s honor’s list (top 5 student), 2013, HKU

HKU Worldwide U/G Student Exchange

Scholarships

SKILLS

Rhinoceros (3D Modelling, Grasshopper, V-Ray), Adobe

Creative Suite 6 (Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign,

Aftereffects), AutoCAD, Autodesk 3DsMax, Maxwell

Renderer

LANGUAGES

English (Fluent. IELTS 2014 7.5), German (elementary),

Cantonese (Native language), Mandarin (Fluent),

EXPERIENCE

Assistant Architect at Atelier Liu Yuyang Architects, Shanghaiwww.alya.cn

Feb2015 - present

Assisted in the design of a private villa in Beijing

Director : Liu Yuyang (former professor), Cao Feilie, Li Ning

Intern at Research Architecture Design, RAD, Hong Kong

www.rad.hk

August 2014 - Feb 2015

Assisted in K11 Beijing Art Mall, design SD and facade DD,

coordination/meeting with consultants and clients

Director : Alberto Cipriani, Aaron Tan

Intern at Dehow Art & Architecture, Hong Kong

www.dehow.com

June-August 2012/13

Assisted in curatorial proposal for DETOUR Hong Kong 2013

/ Assisted in researching and designing art project ‘Oddity in

landscape’,‘A Brave Atlas’, M+ art project, the Inflammable

Classroom

Director : Thomas D.H. Tsang

Romus Domus, Study trip on the celestial sky of Rome

July 2013

Typological research on the Roman domes and the Baroque play

of plasticity. Final review with Glenn Murcutt at the American

Academy in Rome

Director : Thomas D.H. Tsang, Rome Prize winner

Intern at Rural Urban Framework, Hong Kong

www.rufwork.org

June 2013

Assisted in producing drawings for publication

Director : Joshua Bolchover, John C.H. Lin

Summer Program with Tsinghua University, Miao & Dong Minor-

ity Tribe in Kaili, Guiyang

July-August 2013Site visit to Miao & Dong minority region; Integration of tradi-

tional craftsmanship and information modeling; apply passive

sustainable design principles and informational modeling tools

that leads to full scale light steel constructions for rural houses.

Director : Gao Yan,Weijen Wang

150511 BTK Proposal

Documents

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