Y1U1W3
Methods of Investigating
In the last week before the final presentations, you may want to add context to your research by finding out about the social, architectural, or economic (etc.) histories of your site. Does this additional context change your perspective or give new focus to your investigation?
The emphasis of this brief is on the rigorous use of methods, processes, and systems of investigation that produce a volume of critical findings rather than a singular and polished outcome.
Security Monitoring
Why am I trying to capture invisible things?
After last week’s assignment, I thought about why I’m interested in things I can’t see.
I found within myself a voyeuristic interest in the lives of others.
I remembered the feedback. I sought to better understand the nature and vulnerability of this space.
A popular system for monitoring and controlling individuals is the panopticon. It is a prison with a central watchtower and a circle of buildings surrounding the watchtower. The cells with prisoners are brightly lit and the central watchtower is dark, creating a visual gap where only the guards can see the prisoners.
Similarly, in Courtyard, students are under constant surveillance, unable to tell if there are people inside their dormitories. They are not watched by the actual gaze of the people inside, but by the perception of being in a surveillance frame.
In short, it’s a system where the invisible gaze is power.
Feedback:
- It’s interesting to play with the concept of privacy (privacy issues).
- It will be impactful in a public space.
- If you asked most people who live there (students) that privacy is a concern for them. I’m wondering what they would say.
I highlighted there’s this gaze happening. While documenting, I can find a unique way of looking at this site.