Part 1 Projects

PART ONE

1 MICRO/MACO (MUSEUM OBJECT/GLOBAL DIASPORA)

Make a drawing that relates 3 objects and a taxonomic logic within an existing museum. The objective of this project is to provoke emerging themes about the function of the museum and the notion of diaspora in the arts. What does diaspora mean? How do these objects call to question this very definition? What kind of narratives are they part of? How does the museum context frame these narratives?

Visit and document a museum that in some way relates to arts of the diaspora. Collect photographs and, where available, plans and sections. Upload these materials as a slideshow to the course website (categorize under “Museum Documentation – NYC”). Identify and draw 3 objects in the museum. Objects can include but are not limited to works of art – they simply need to be objects that play a role in the museum. For each object draw associated effects and actions. Drawings are to be scaled and measured. Diagram the museum’s taxonomic logic in relationship to the building’s content and visitor experience. Use your museum documentation as underlays for your diagrams. Consider how your use of drawing projection (orthographics, perspective, axonometric, etc.), and technique (vector, bitmap, hybrid) informs the ideas and effects communicated. Layout: Objects and organizational diagrams are to be drawn on one piece of paper. Use layout to relate all drawings to each other and to communicate emerging themes. These drawings are to be performative – i.e. they are to present for the viewer effects and concepts in addition to dimensions and physical characteristics.

F 1/22 Introduction

M 1/25 Pin-Up Museum doc + 7 objects and 1 diagram, rough mockup

W 1/27 Desk Crits 3 objects + diagram, rough draft

F 1/29 Review 3 objects + diagram, final version + Rdg Discussion

2 MESO/MACRO (MUSEUM TAXONOMY)

Develop an alternate taxonomic logic for the same museum that includes your three objects. Define a logic of organization that can relate at least three types of objects (you may use your objects from project 1, or introduce others). Create a performative drawing that demonstrates this taxonomic logic, its relationship to the objects, themes facing the arts of the diaspora, and associated events/effects. This drawing is to be produced on one piece of paper, using layout to relate objects to each other on the page. Consider: what are the limitations and potentials of your taxonomic approach?

M 2/01 Pin-Up Taxonomic Drawing v. 1

W 2/03 Desk Crits Taxonomic Drawing v. 2

F 2/05 Review Final Taxonomic Drawing

3 MESO/MACRO (MUSEUM TAXONOMY/SPATIAL SYSTEM)

Develop abstract graphic and spatial strategies in drawing and model that (roughly) relate to your taxonomic logic. You are to develop qualities of difference, sequence, boundary, influence, and intersection, among others. This work is to be abstract in the sense that it is not to scale, does not need any particular orientation, function, or habitability. However, if it helps your development you might think of your model as something that positions objects/voids in relationship to each other according to your taxonomic approach. Make abstract pattern drawings that define ~3 void spaces on one page. Drawings are to be 8”Hx22”W. PART TWO: Make abstract models totalling 1400 in3 in volume that define ~3 void spaces. Models are to develop spatial ideas from the pattern drawings, while using unexpected qualities of the modelling materials (planar, thickened, multi-ply, absorbent, trasnparent, porous, elastic, striated, etc) to inform ideas about space, pattern and structure.

M 2/05 Pin-Up 3 pattern drawings + 3 model tests

W 2/08 Desk Crits 1 final pattern drawing + 3 model tests

F 2/0 Review Final Model