cranial thoughts

i have been stagnant on this blog for some time now and i think it is about time i make my resurgence. since last post, topics have continued to evolve and readings have continued to be read. i still find myself thoroughly intrigued by the topic of imagery within architecture, but more importantly within our society. this is an attempt to explain my thoughts, beginning with the latter and transitioning to the former.


over the past thirty to forty years, some will argue even earlier, society became consumed by consumerism. what grew out of capitalist entrepreneurial spirit turned into a pure infatuation for things. the new, the high-tech, the rare, the biggest, the best; people began to judge other people based on material possessions. while good for business, it has bred a culture of superficial beings whose perception of the world is based solely on appearance.


it seems that i have stumbled upon an opportune segue into the study of cultural desensitization. on a daily basis, particularly within urban environments, the population is flooded with sensory stimulants to the point of over-saturation. while vision plays a vital role in contemporary society, the remaining senses have become dulled, ultimately leading to an attitude of indifference toward the deeper understanding of the environment. 


if i may digress for a moment in search of clarity...


imagine your usual day: an alarm(s) awakens you, the morning news greets you at breakfast, and a quick check of the email sends you out the door, do not forget your cell phone. the commute consists of honking horns, blaring sirens, and large crowds of people (most on cell phones). the day consists of working on a computer, surfing the internet on a computer, checking emails on a computer, and chatting with friends on a computer...or a cell phone perhaps. once back home, more of the same ensues as the nightly news plays through dinner, various programs watched shortly thereafter, and a quick check of the email tucks you into bed. (lather, rinse, repeat)


in this very simplified, and quite possibly exaggerated, synopsis of the day-to-day, one can begin to see the types of stimulants, or distractions i am referencing. 


there is a tension that lays within this argument between reality and virtual reality, essential and non-essential. the "fetishization" of the image, or for architecture's sake aesthetics, tends to play the preeminent role in the contemporary architectural landscape. as this escalates without cultural critique, there will be nothing but seductive imagery and empty, contentless forms which define the architectural profession.


my thesis is exploring the idea of escaping the hyperreality in which contemporary society resides through locating the user within a space, free from unnecessary sensory stimuli, which promotes reflectivity and utilizes the entire body for experiential interpretation.