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Lecturers: Roman Kirschner and Anthea Oestreicher

Contents and Objectives

Wie können mit vorhandenen und beschränkten Mitteln temporäre Räume entstehen? Mit welchen Materialien können wir das erreichen? Welche Komponenten sind notwendig, um bestimmte Atmosphären zu entwickeln? Was passiert, wenn wir längst verlassene Räume neu betreten und bespielen, oder Raum in einem anderen Medium als Luft erfahren möchten?

Zu Beginn des Moduls untersuchen wir gemeinsam die lokalen wässrigen Ökosysteme, bzw. deren unsichtbare, ungesehene und flüchtigen Komponenten, die dennoch den Kosmos um das Wasser formen und in Balance halten. Diese Gegeben-, Besonder- und Eigenheiten untersuchen wir als Systeme, aquatische Mikrokosmen und Welten.

Welche Rollen finden wir in der Gruppe um dieses System zu verkörpern und die (Ge)Schichten spielerisch umzusetzen? Mit den gefunden Materialien, Geschichten und Wesen vor Ort erarbeiten wir Konzepte, Prototypen und Ideen für eigene (gläserne) Mikrokosmen, die mit Sensorik und Inter/Intra-aktion das (unsichtbare im) Ökosystem relational und spielerisch praktizieren, erfahrbar machen.

Im Toni bringen wir die gemachten Erfahrungen und Ideen in den räumlichen Kontext der ZHdK zurück und beschäftigen uns damit, wie diese als Repräsentationen und XXX  in Aquarien verorten können. Dies geschieht mittels installativer Umsetzungen, begleitender Reflexionen und adäquater Prozessdokumentationen.

'science informs spectacle; and spectacle is science'

"Ecological microcosms are small ecosystems held in containers. Starting originally as a way to bring beauty and complexity of nature into schoolrooms and living rooms the world over, these small 'worlds' have become a major research tool.[…] In approaching teh subject of ecological microcosms, we were faced with the old ecological problem of boundary definitions. In nature, where does one ecological system begin and the adjacent ecosystem end?"
Introduction to Microcosmology p.3f. Odum Microcosms

...


Guest: Martina Huber, curator "Experimental Ecology"


Contents and Objectives


The seminar is an introduction into designing (with) spaces. „Soft Architecture“ differs from the classical idea of architecture in that it does not aim to build permanently habitable spaces. It rather encourages students to experiment with existing spaces, to ask what they offer and how they can be adapted to communicate and afford specific atmospheres, narratives, rules, actions and interactions.

Experimenting with spaces comprises experimentation with structures and materials that give these spaces character. Through trial and error, bodily experiences and discussions, students develop their sensitivity and intuition as designers.

This year we will approach this experimentation with an ecological twist. Since spaces are neither abstract nor clinically pure, we also always have to take microbiological lifeforms and entropy into account. In this year’s issue will deal with microscopic/planktonic life forms, growth processes, environmental conditions, microcosms, and technically mediated connections between micro ecologies in playful settings.



Schedule

Course: 16.09. – 10.10.2024Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, , Monday – Thursday: 9-17


Week 1

Exkursion Wasserwerke, Lake (Zürichhorn),

Mittwoch 18.09:

...

18.09.2024, 9.30-11.30 Uhr

...

Treffpunkt:  

...

Empfang des Dienstgebäudes Hardhof 9, 8064 Zürich

...

Programm:

...

- Begrüssung

- Einführung in die Wasserversorgung

- Rundgang durch die Anlagen

...

Werkführer/in:

...

Oliver Köster

Limmat (Ende Altstetten, kleine Insel, Kurve, Brücke https://maps.app.goo.gl/5sgdDNHqkLeVHGfv5 - Nähe Hardhof Wasserwerk),

Schlechtwetterplan: Nexus Spiel von EMBL

Week 2: 24/25: Martina Huber: Ausstellungen und Initiativen, ArtSci Kollaborationen etc

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Input/ offene Fragen/ zu behandelnde Themen:

  • Kontrast Sensorik/Organismen (Wasserwerke) - punktuell/holistischer?
  • Mikrokosmen
  • Lebenserhaltung in abgeschlossenem Bereich

Phasen:

  • Einführung
  • Ideenentwicklung (und Teamfindung)
  • Spielentwicklung (Thema/Ziel/Regeln/Umsetzung)

(Introduction, Excursions, Ideation and Team Building)

Monday (16.09.)

Tuesday (17.09.)

Wednesday (18.09)

Thursday (19.09)

9:00-11:

00 Kickoff

30 Introduction 

(

11:

00 ??)

45 1st semester welcome


outdoor (wetter - flex)

outdoor (wetter - flex)

Visit Grundwasserwerk Hardhof - Tour 9:30

Limmat Spot

Project Development

Individual Mentoring

9:00 Project Group Building

Group discussion/meeting

13-15

Ideation exercises

[Semester Overview with Jürgen (Zoom)]

outdoor (wetter - flex)

Project Development

Individual Mentoring

Week 2


4.T31

10:00 meeting point: pier @ ZürichhornExcursion Zürich Lake (bring weatherproof cloths and maybe lunch. We will spend most of the day outdoors)

Exercise 1 (Space) and 3 (Ecology)



09:15 meeting point: Hardhof 9Visit Grundwasserwerk Hardhof

11:00-12:00 Limmat field research

Exercise 2 (Multisensory Space)

Exercise 4 (Ecology in a jar)

Exercise 5 (Space and Ecological Services) in groups of 3

4.T06 (9-14)

13:00-14:30 Equipment & Facilities tour ZHdK or Exercise 1 (Space) dependent on weather situation

15:00-16:45 Aesthetics of Interaction: Introduction  4.T09

Exercise 4 (Ecology in a jar)

16:30 Semester Overview with Jürgen

13-14 Ecological Ideation exercise & group building

14-17 Presentation of Exercise results & Group discussion

5.T09

Exercise 5 (Space and Ecological Services) in groups of 3



Week 2
(Concept development (Topic/Goal/Spatiality), Prototyping, Game Development (Rules/Realisation))

Monday (23.09)

Tuesday (24.

10

09)

Wednesday (25.

10

09)

Thursday (26.09)

9:00-10:00 Input microcosms (AO)

09

12:00 -

10

12:

30

00 Presentation of

idea per subgroup

Discussion 

Project Development

Individual Mentoring 

Project Development

Individual Mentoring

Project Development

13-15

Project Development

Individual Mentoring 

Project Development

Exercises 1,2,3,5 + Discussion 


5.F02

09:00 - 12:00 Concept Development

09:00 - 12:00 Prototype Development + Individual Prototype Mentoring

DOODLE

09:00 - 12:00 Prototype Development + Individual Prototype Mentoring 

DOODLE


13:00 - 17:00 Concept Development

13:00 - 17:00 Concept Development



13:00 - 15:00 Prototype Development + Individual Prototype Mentoring 

DOODLE

15:00-16:45 Aesthetics of Interaction: Material and Environmental Dynamics

4.T06

13:00 - 14:

30 Presentation Mockups, Experiments and Ideas.Martina (Experimental Ecology)

Week 3

00 presentation Martina Huber

14:15-15:45 Presentation Experiments, Progress & Prototypes

16:00 - 17:00 group discussion

4.T06


Week 3
(Final Project Development + Exhibition Preparation)

Monday (30.09)

Tuesday (1.10.)

Wednesday (2.10)

Thursday (3.10)

09:00 - 12:00 Project Development09:00 - 12:00 Project Development

09:00 - 12:00 Project Development + Individual Mentoring


09:00 - 10:00 Preparation Presentation Exhibition Idea * Realisation


10:00 Meeting in front of Kunstraum 5.K12 for exhibition discussion

alternatively: 4.T48

13:00 - 17:00 Project Development13:00 - 17:00 Project Development

13:00 - 15:00 Project Development & Individual Mentoring


15:00-16:45 Aesthetics of Interaction: Systems and Bodies

4.T06

13:00 - 17:00 Project Development


Week 4

Individual Mentoring - Zurich project

Project Development

15.00 Exhibition Vernissage

Monday (7.10)

Tuesday (8.10.)

Wednesday (9.10)

Thursday (10.10)

Mentoring Project/
Exhibition Execution Details 
Class Feedback13-15Project Development

09:00 - 12:00 Project Development

5.K12 Kunstraum

09:00 - 12:00 Project Development

5.K12 Kunstraum

09:00 - 12:00 Project Development 

5.K12 Kunstraum

10:00 Feedback Round

5.K12 Kunstraum

13:00 - 15:00 Project Development

5.K12 Kunstraum

15:00-16:45 Aesthetics of Interaction: Anthropocene

13:00 - 17:00 Project Development

5.K12 Kunstraum

13:00 - 15:00 Project Development

15:00 Exhibition Vernissage

5.K12 Kunstraum


13:00 - 17:00 Documentation &
Taking down Exhibition

5.K12 Kunstraum



Locations

Indoor Studio:

16.09. – 03.10.: Room: RAUM-No. Projektraum Design ZT 4.K22-1 (flexible) (09:00-17:00) + Werkstatt + Werkstatt
other rooms for occasional presentations (see schedule above)
7.10. - 10.10. Kunstraum ZT 5.K12

Outdoor:

Limmat and Zurich Lake.


Exhibition Vernissage:

9.10. 3pm
Bring for field day/ working at the site:., 15:00, Kunstraum ZT 5.K12


Things to bring for field days or working on site

Tools for documentation, water equipment that might be needed (swim suit, rubber boots), 
basic construction material by preference (tapes, cable ties, strings, small tools, saw (?), knife (?), textiles (?)), 

Roman & Anthea bring: Underwater Camera, Microscope (in the lab), various sensors(?), 

Field research task:

Develop attention for atmosphere, presence, performances (of spaces, people, materials), fields (of actions, of influences), rhythms of environment (sea, wind, season), different time frames, collaboration with the landscape, interactions between people, materials, and spaces.

Design task:

Develop a temporary piece of architecture or spatial intervention in any of available locations (underwater, coast, abandoned military architectures). We demand a strong conceptual involvement but it is most of all about concrete experiences and tests!

Subtask:

How to recreate or represent the experiences and spaces from the field trip back in Toni?


In case of any emergency you can always reach me (Roman) on my mobile phone: +43 699 1133 7036Mentoring

We will prepare doodles for mentoring with time slots of different lengths depending on the progress of the overall project. Reserve your slot, be prepared and be on time. Questions can be asked anytime – also via email.

Mentoring on 25/26: 

25.09
11:00 Arya, Lea, Iris
11:30 Elena, Meagan, Nadja
1:00 Anna, Pablo, Lorena

26.09
10:00 Lola, Tommaso, Jonny
10:30 Noel, Nico, Joel
11:15  Leroy, Thinle, Kiara



Design Task


Develop a project that connects the local river/lake ecologies with model ecologies (both investigated in the beginning of the course) in the spatial settings and ecological environment of our art school building. Use a low tech approach and work mostly with found or simple materials, or scientific tools (microscope, thermometer, heater (these things you can find inside of the big aquarium that is now in the atelier) repurposed/used in creative ways to create a situation for interaction that transmits "in action" the connectedness of our everyday behavior with our local environment. 

Focus on the parameters that influence space and sustain life. Think about the shifts in these parameters and how to create interactions that foster or mirror natural rhythms (e.g., circadian cycles). Be aware of the balance of exchanges and transactions and experiment with disbalances. Change perspectives and play with the expectations of participants. (Can participants interact with these systems to create (or destroy) symbiotic relationships?) Consider how these systems represent natural and human-made environments and how they can be visualized, measured, and experienced through art and design.


Deliverable for 25/26.09 session:

Prepare 2-3 ideas that you like (or one incredibly good one that you are totally convinced of) for a physical, interactive installation that connects at least two types of ecosystems (e.g., jar-aquarium-outdoor). You can think big, but we appreciate even more if you find those low-tech, minimal interventions that can create meaningful ecological interactions.




Deliverables and Documentation

1. Final Prototype or Intervention

2. Final Presentation

3. Standard IAD Documentation (see handbook on wiki):

  • Text file including the project title, names of students and mentors, a short description (250 - 400 characters ), and a long description (>1000 characters ), in a file to be labelled “Texts”
  • At least 10 representative images of the project (to be stored in a file labelled “Images”)
  • One longer video (< 5 minutes) of the project (to be stored in a file labelled “Video”). Mp4 full HD, see wiki for more details on format.
  • One to two short social media teaser videos (20-30 seconds) in portrait format.
  • A PDF documentation (to be stored in a file labelled “Documentation”)
  • Additional raw data, e.g., presentation, prototypes, or codes (to be stored in the respective file).
  • Upload your documentation files to: smb://fileredu.ad.zhdk.ch/DDE/BDE_VIAD/01_ABGABEN/24_HS/Sem3_Soft_Architecture/Group

4. Documentation of Exercises:



Inputs:

Video about Scales:  https://youtu.be/0fKBhvDjuy0

"Mother of the Aquarium": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5l9ed6r1hRA

Diel Vertical Migration: https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/145941/satellite-observes-massive-ocean-migration , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJ1gRfXTIIg, https://knowablemagazine.org/content/article/living-world/2021/up-downs-great-vertical-migration

The start of bringing plankton towards art/design: https://planktonchronicles.org/en/ (you can lend the book from Anthea)