Proposal for MAProposal for MA

Design By PracticeDesign By Practice

ObjectiveObjective

““Architecture is frozen music.” GoetheArchitecture is frozen music.” Goethe

to melt it & hear the sound……to melt it & hear the sound……

Design proposalDesign proposal

to create a “camera” which to create a “camera” which reads/understands light sources and reads/understands light sources and converts them into sound-waves converts them into sound-waves

or an application (such as those or an application (such as those created for Apple products) which created for Apple products) which automatically derives audio from automatically derives audio from images images

IdeaIdea

It could be a synth-type device which It could be a synth-type device which would allow the user to hear classic would allow the user to hear classic paintings, or what an edifice may paintings, or what an edifice may sound like (temples, etc.) or even sound like (temples, etc.) or even landscapes. landscapes.

ProblemsProblems

It’s difficult to define any parameters, It’s difficult to define any parameters, let alone have parameters to work let alone have parameters to work withwith

How does anyone begin to convert How does anyone begin to convert architectural formulae into audio architectural formulae into audio signals and on what basis and using signals and on what basis and using what criteria?what criteria?

Hope?Hope?

In music, drum (percussion) scores In music, drum (percussion) scores are written horizontally and are written horizontally and architectural shapes emerge architectural shapes emerge naturally from these scoresnaturally from these scores

These scores also are based on These scores also are based on mathematical preceptsmathematical precepts

Chance encountersChance encounters

Initial research (browsing) has revealed Initial research (browsing) has revealed some interesting philosophical links:some interesting philosophical links:

Deleuzean “time theory” from film Deleuzean “time theory” from film studiesstudies

Artists like Klee & Kadinsky (Blue Rider)Artists like Klee & Kadinsky (Blue Rider)

Classical Greek art & architectureClassical Greek art & architecture

Gardi & Mompou – the Sound of LightGardi & Mompou – the Sound of Light

SolutionsSolutions

The challenge is in trying to get The challenge is in trying to get DEFINITIONS going – matching height..DEFINITIONS going – matching height..

to…..to…..

Tone, pitch, sustain, etc..Tone, pitch, sustain, etc..

Hertz, decibel, space & time,Hertz, decibel, space & time,

Nothing trivial!Nothing trivial!

PotentialPotential

Cross-cultural & cross-curricular Cross-cultural & cross-curricular opportunities aboundopportunities abound

Multi-disciplinaryMulti-disciplinary

Philosophically-drivenPhilosophically-driven

Art & Science hybridityArt & Science hybridity

The “photosynth”The “photosynth”

Improvisation driven by formulae?Improvisation driven by formulae?

Order from chaos?Order from chaos?

PW 14.10.2010PW 14.10.2010