Critique on Architectural Sustainability Through Collage​

    For my senior project, I am proposing to generate a fluid collage using changing imagery of historical architecture images and data presenting a critique on the lack of sustainability in modern architecture.  I plan to write a python based program that generates fluid and changing imagery reminiscent of a collage.​

    The technical aspects of this project will include python and the pygame library, MPI programming and the Paprika cluster, gathering historical imagery and sources, and digital drawing done in photoshop or procreate. I have experience in all of these technicalities, and will not need to focus on learning new skills beyond writing the visual program, which always comes with a learning curve no matter how much experience you have. This link is an example of one project I did using python and MPI and I also helped to build the Paprika cluster in Winter 2024. ​

    As for the project’s budget, I do not anticipate much cost for my project. Since I intend for my program to be written entirely on a computer, as well as my research and drawings to be done digitally, my biggest resource will be a laptop, which I already have. I am considering adding elements to the piece for the showing, like projections, lights, or printed images, but in that case I already have a projector and raspberry pi to run any additional elements. Should I decide to print images the cost should be negligible. ​

    For the  aesthetics, I intend to have the look of a collage, combining images and text and color in unique ways. It is also important that there is a fluidity to the changing images on the screen. I also plan to add an element of passing time to the piece, showing change from past to present to future in the images. For the “future” aspect I will be including my own drawings, while the past and present will be based on architectural images and specifically focusing on vernacular architecture. Like most of my other works, I plan to use bright and vibrant colors to convey meaning and add my own visual components to the images I will source in addition to my own drawings.​

    For my process, I will start with gathering images and sources, so I have an understanding of the basis of the piece. Once I have more photos than I will use, I will start workshopping the program. I have a general idea of the logic for, and using pieces of code I have already developed as well as the tried and true of trying random code until I like the visual output, I plan to come up with a program that can take the images and generate a fluid collage. From there, I usually adapt the basic visual code to be used in MPI format, adding more elements to it once it is on the bigger screen. Finally, once the code runs with no bugs, I will work on additional presentation aspects, like printed images or projections. ​

    Finally, this project fits into ICAM criteria because it is fully based in computer programming, and the accumulation of all the skills I have learned in ICAM classes. Moreover, being able to use the cluster that I helped to build and run is super exciting for me and my work, and I am excited to run a program that has a much heavier load on Paprika, since the only program I have run on there so far was very simple. Lastly, this work is inspired by a number of different artists and artworks I have been exposed to in my life and through the ICAM program. Those include FallingWater by Frank Lloyd Wright, Learning to See by Memo Akten, Hannah Hoch and other Dada collage artists, and a collage done by my mother in architecture school that has always stood out to me as one of my favorite artworks. I’ve included an image of that artwork in this proposal as I believe it greatly informs my aesthetic goals for this piece.