Embracing Entropy:
Choreographing Atmospheres of Change and Decay
There is nothing static in the world; everything is constantly changing.
If you follow an object, you may find a story.
Embracing Entropy is an attempt to choreograph atmospheres referring to four components that unite history, nature, and artistic works: ancient, natural, vast, and curated.
Spaces are created with the use of the following materials: soil, concrete, wood, metal, fabric, combined sequentially and overlaid with the impact of entropic forces during the gradual evolution of the project. Specific construction methods are applied for every atmosphere with the intention to initiate the process of natural decay, like exposing rebar, weathering wood, crumbling concrete, supporting Robert Smithson’s statement that “a work of art is not frozen at the moment of its completion”.
The project started with the research on the idea of inorganic sculpture. “These independent objects, neither sculpture nor architecture, which nonetheless contain aspects of both and are monumental and massive, correspond exactly to the constructed works of Land Art."
(Tiberghien, Gilles A. “Inorganic Sculptures.” Land Art, Princeton Architectural Press, New York, 1995.)
The design approach allows for gradual evolution of the project, which is intended to accommodate archives, artists’ studios and residencies, a library, conference and seminar rooms, workshops and labs, an art foundation, and various spaces for experimentation with perception.
ancient component
Accommodation of the ancient creates a link between human experiences and fills a space with natural features.
natural component
The power of nature and its features are the most intimidating and at the same time the most easily understandable and relaxing for humans.
vast component
Vastness evokes a feeling of awe and clears the mind; it’s a place to stop.
curated component
Curated experiences provide a chance to guide visitors’ perception and create a space for personal reflection. Contrast of the manmade and natural provokes rethinking of the natural environment and allows for feeling its scale and proportions.
The project was developed within the Advanced Architectural Studio for MArch degree at Arizona State University. After a 10-day trip and visits to the land art sites [Roden Crater by James Turrell, The Lightning Field by Walter de Maria, Star Axis by Charles Ross] and art museums across Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, each student had to propose their own vision of a Research Institute for Space Perception.