STREET ART LAB is a collaborative workshop exploring citizenship, democracy, and civic engagement by combining scholarly inquiry with actual life experience through the development and formation of new creative work. Based on e America Project, this workshop connects students to communities outside of the University and world events through civic engagement. In collaboration with the UMN Art Department and Minneapolis Art on Wheels, students will be asked to engage with public space by exploring the relationship between architecture, art, and community. Central themes of the workshop include:
• An exploration of the dreams of citizenship and democracy
• Speculating on new modes of interaction between architect and technology
• Collaborating with peers, across disciplines, and outside of the University
• Developing work through creative process and social practice
• Enhancing critical thinking, research skills, and critical dialogue
• Presenting public works that demonstrate student learning
This is a workshop exploring memory in the built environment and the potential of digital modeling in the architectural design process. It seeks to develop student’s knowledge of geometry and the principals of surface development by exploring memory in architecture. Through the lens of Einstein’s 1932 book, Builders of the Universe: From the Bible to the Theory of Relativity, this workshop considers significant paradigm shifts in our conception of the universe through physical and digital modeling.
Course Structure
Exercise 1: Texts on the role of memory in architecture. Students write an essay on the potential of memory in the architectural design process or built environment.
Exercise 2: The concept of digital modeling is introduced to the students through readings and discussions about changing perceptions of the universe.
Exercise 3: Examples of memorials, real and imagined, are introduced. Each student is assigned a particular memorial and makes a report to the group.
Exercise 4: The students are introduced to a 3D computer modeling environment, geometric principals, the development of surfaces, and digital fabrication techniques. Finally, these skills are used to develop a memory palace related to the School of Architecture centennial.
Exercise 5: Each student incrementally improves their designs and digital models, these models are rendered and represented in relationship to memory in architecture, the results are organized into a final presentation.
Course Objectives
Cultural Identity and the Making of Contemporary Architecture
co-taught with Jay Isenberg
The last decade has brought an explosion of new culturally specific museums and memorials designed by internationally known architects. In addition, traditional galleries and art museums have become laboratories for architects and designers to explore issues beyond building design and to engage in creative responses to cultural, religious, political and social conflict through exhibitions and installations.