Dissertation, the moment of truth

As said in one of my previous posts, I am currently trying to write my project statement for my future dissertation. My first idea was to write about how politics influence the physical state of the landscape and use Brussels as my case study. I was also looking for a way in which I could incorporate my lines. This appeared quite difficult as they are practically 2 different subjects. So the only way to resolve the issue was to go back to my main interests in landscape architecture, the origin of my lines and what I want to achieve with these lines.

My main interest in landscape in architecture has from very early on been the idea of 'Genius Loci', the spirit of a place and the creation of a connection between people and landscape. One other major interest of mine is what I call accidental spaces. This is what you can call leftover space, spaces that have no function or meaning. they have no identity and are in derelict state, but they are also pockets of opportunity.
My lines on the other hand try to map people's movements through space and by mapping I gain a better understanding of the human-place relations and aim to enhance human-place awareness. The lines aspire to record and link up human space interaction. So I decided that these 3 elements should reflect in my dissertation.

So currently for my dissertation I am thinking of finding myself an accidental space and try to transform it into a place which is rooted into the surrounding community through a series of events. It would be a good test to see whether it is the people, who give a place its' spirit.

A thought

Emotions
All tangled up
Stay, go
leave, hang on
Whirll in the beauty
till it is a pool of mud

Coffee Chat - Completed!

Taping at the Forest Cafe has come to an end, as all good things do. I will need some time to step away from this experience. Letting go with this project seems so much harder than with other taping projects I have done. Nowhere before have I done this as an event before. People seem much more interested in the work when they see it being made in front of their eyes, it seems to draw people more in. It is a bit like Tschumi's thinking the landscape and architecture as a platform for an event and life in general. It also reflects on my latest thinking paths.

I used to be a firm believer of the 'Genius Loci' idea, but now I think it is us who give a place a spirit and transform it into a place. Of course there are certain natural and cultural monuments which have an emotional impact on us, because of their greatness, but still that greatness is defined by the people experiencing it and on some of us even these won't have an impact. The more I experience, read and research the further I drift away from the 'Genius Loci' idea. Like at the Forest, without the people there, the building would be nothing more than a bunch of structured stones. This building comes alive through the people and all their efforts. To be able to map their movements and at least for a little while feel a part of this was fantastic. By doing this whole project I have come to realise that it us who create our environment and no one else. We call the shots.

A very good lesson to learn I would say, especially for my design skills. It makes me think back on my design ideas for the Grass market in Edinburgh about a year ago. with this project I wanted to create a big spiral within the space, activating the whole space as a platform for and symbol of free movement. I am slowly starting to re-focus my thoughts for my future dissertation on human-spatial interaction and doing research via the placing of my lines. But how do you write about these things? How do you build up a valid case when it is all based in experience, interaction and visual research, and very little written words?

Progress 3 - Coffee Chat

Yesterday had a half day taping session which ended with a short boogie hour at 1.00 in the morning. I am starting to get to know people a lot better. With this I am starting to have more dialogues with people. I got a lot more WHY-questions, which to me have been a really good learning school.

I managed to finish of the main staircase, hallway and part of the cafe.

Tonight and tomorrow I will be having a night off, but Saturday I will be taping all day.

The photo was taken by Erica

Progress 2 - Coffee Chat

Last night I was taping from 17.00 till 23.30 and this morning I was again up at 6.00 to go to work. My back and knees hurt, whoever said art is easy should be shot! ... But, it is really worth all the agony.

Last night I was working on the staircase in the back of the Forest Cafe. The floor in the cafe was too mucky and wet because of the rain outside. I was hoping to finish the staircase area last night, but unfortunately did not manage. The Steps have this little lip sticking out, which makes taping them a bit more of delicate job and hence take a bit longer. Hopefully I will finnish it today.

For the cafe area I am planning to have a few strong lines running chaotically into the space together with some smaller compositions scattered around. This will reflect on the constant changing of layout of the room and the constant shifts in occupation of the space.

I will be taping from 14.00 till 21.00 (probably later).

Regards
Sarah

Work in Progress - Coffee Chat

Yesterday I started taping in the Forest Cafe in Edinburgh. This is the first time I have done my taping so publicly. It is a really good experience, as you get lots of immediate responses from people and occassionaly a WHY-question. These questions are probably the most challenging of this whole project. They make working in such a open environment incredibly interesting. One night taping in this environment has pushed my thinking so much further. After this project I will start writing my project statement for my dissertation. Finally pin some points down, give myself some proper guidance for the future.

Also the people in the forest are very supportive for which I am incredibly gratefull!

I will continue taping tonight at 18.00 till about 21.00 and Wednesday from 14.00 till 21.00 and hopefully (and Sadly) that will be me done!

Dialogue

ECA Degree show 2008

14-24 June

Sarah Foque, Exhibiting MFA Art, Space & Nature Student

In ‘Dialogue’, Sarah Foqué explored the limits of space within the context of a gallery. She interacted with the physicality of the building, mainly its connection points to the outer world and the other artists’ exhibition space. Instead of using continuous lines, the artist opted for the use of interrupted lines which created a suggestion of movement and connection, but did not box work in. On the edges between in and out the artist created a denser network of lines with the aim to break through the space and invite the viewer in. This project was a real challenge for the artist as it demanded a respectful interaction with the exhibition space of others, the building and the artists’ own concept of breaking through boundaries.