STIMULUS OF SOCIAL JUSTICE Advocating Solidarity through Humane Architecture
ADE 622 Independent Thesis Faculty Advisor: Claudio Vekstein Pratima Tatikonda
CONTENTS 1. Introduction 1.1 Hypothesis 2. Precedents 2.1 Preliminary Study 2.2 Artistic Influences - David Alfaro Siqueiros 2.3 Design Iteration 2.4 Previous Insights
3-4 6-13
3. Issue 3.1 Social Justice - The What? 3.2 Case Studies 3.3 Qualities of Built Environment
14-19
4. Context 4.1 Description 4.2 History of Mexico 4.3 Political Influences - David Alfaro Siqueiros 4.4 Current Issues/Injustices
20-27
5. Site Studies 5.1 Location 5.2 Zoning 5.3 Neighborhood Analysis 5.4 Mapping 5.5 Site Diagram
28-33
6. Project Development 6.1 Outline 6.2 Scope 6.3 Concept 6.4 Design Development
34-46
1.1 Hypothesis Social Injustices have been an unconcealed part of society that are evident through the adversities of the vulnerable. These issues have worsened the spatial and structural inequalities that marginalize access to shared communal resources. By creating a wider platform for sociability through equitable and accessible built environments, these inequalities can be harmonized. To address persistent societal concerns, art as a form of expression in social and political contexts is crucial to bridge the gap between the past and the future. With the inclusion of radical arts in built environments, social change can be mobilized by impacting user cognition.
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Stimulus of Social Justice Introduction
Stimulus of Social Justice Introduction
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2.1 Preliminary Study
Stimulus of Social Justice Precedents
Frida Escobedo Mexico City, 1979 Frida Escobedo, Taller de Arquitectura The richness of contemporary Mexican architecture derives from its diversity as value derived from the interaction between generations, styles and affinities. Frida Escobedo specifically designs and restores urban spaces: housing, community centers, art venues etc. She developed an approach based on the idea that architecture and design represent a crucial medium for asking questions and debating social, economic and political phenomena. Art, both contemporary and historical, serves as a starting point for the development of each project Civic Stage—Lisbon Architecture Triennial, Portugal - 2013
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Serpentine Serpentine Pavilion, Pavilion, Kensington Kensington Gardens, Gardens, London London -- 2018 2018
Stimulus of Social Justice Precedents Project: La Tallera Year: 2012 Location: Cuernavaca, Mexico The gallery complex was originally built by David Alfaro Siqueiros in the 1960s as a painting workshop. Frida Escobedo redesigned the complex to transform the pre-existing site into an exhibition space with a cafeteria, bookshop and reading room One single gesture - opening the museum’s courtyard to the plaza by rotating murals from their original position. With a simple operation, the symbolic art elements of the façade play a new role in engaging visitors in a new relationship with the museum.
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2.2 Artistic Influences
Stimulus of Social Justice Precedents
David Alfaro Siqueiros Chihuahua, 1896 Artist, Muralist, Social Realist Siqueiros believed art should be public, educational, and ideological. He painted murals and other portraits of the revolution – its goals, its past, and the current oppression of the working classes. His interest in the human form developed at the Academy in Mexico City. His accentuation of the angles of the body, its muscles and joints, can be seen throughout his career in his portrayal of the strong revolutionary body. In addition, many works, especially in the 1930s, prominently feature hands, which could be interpreted as another heroic symbol of proletarian strength through work.
Birth of Fascism, 1936
New Democracy, 1944
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Stimulus of Social Justice Precedents
His interest in technical innovation and advancing mural making techniques made him opt for methods such as airbrushes, sprayguns, projectors, stencils etc. Painting fresco on an outside wall – visible to passersby as well as intentional viewers – forced Siqueiros to reconsider his methodology as a muralist. Instead of just constructing "an enlarged easel painting", he realized that the mural "must conform to the normal transit of a spectator. Polyforum Siqueiros, his last major mural project, is the largest mural ever painted, an integrated structure combining architecture, in which the building was designed as a mural, with mural painting and polychromed sculpture.
The March of Humanity, 1960
Polyforum Siqueiros, 1960
Tropical America, 1932 9
2.3 Design Iteration
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Stimulus of Social Justice Precedents
Stimulus of Social Justice Precedents La Tallera being a space for experimenting with mural techniques, the idea was to extend the original intention of why Tallera was built and connect the park to provide a space for collective experimentation by engaging community in the process of making art. The idea of bridging the two sites, one of La Tallera and The Park Siqueiros was established intentionally to bring the art production process to the public. The intention behind creating the structure the way is to make a strong sense of gesture to bring the art world into public. Considering architectural fiction as a narrative through space, the act of bringing the art production into the community is intentional to set up the plot by creating an experience for the viewer to build their own perception of space in time.
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2.4 Previous Insights Various projects of mexican contemporary architects studied integrate the idea of creating spaces for the public – user specific to form a social relationship with the built structures. Whether it be in relation to context or history, most of the architects use the idea of artistic expression of space within architectural boundaries sometimes pushing the limits. Through the ideas of scale, pattern, materials, perception, user experience, multi-functionalism and experimentation... the design iteration tested out the possibilities of social integration by manifesting art. However, architectural liability of the built structure is to be worked on. How does the intention of creating spaces to set up the plot for the users impact them?
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Stimulus of Social Justice Precedents
Stimulus of Social Justice Precedents
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3.1 Social Justice?
Stimulus of Social Justice Issue
Social Justice is the relation of balance between individuals and society in terms of the privileges availed. In a way, the intended or unintened consequences of human actions result in injustices among society. Bearing in mind the principles of Social Justice - equity, access and participation, the identification of societal needs through social, cultural or geographical aspects to assess prevailing social injustices is imperative.
Hannibal 14
Stimulus of Social Justice Issue
Struggle for Emancipation, 1961 15
3.2 Case Studies
Stimulus of Social Justice Issue
WHAT
Student Memorial
WHY
Acknowledgement
HOW
Public Interaction
River Reading Room Adjaye Associates
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WHAT
Lynching
WHY
Acknowledgement
HOW
Community Engagement
National Memorial For Peace And Justice Mass Design Group
Stimulus of Social Justice Issue
WHAT
Martin Luther King Jr. Ideals
WHY
Education
HOW
Artist Collaboration
The Embrace Mass Design Group
WHAT
Underused Space
WHY
Development
HOW
Public Rehabilitation
Cancha Rozana Montiel 17
3.3 Qualities of Built Environment WHAT
Social Issue
WHY
Intention
HOW
Tool/Technique Narrative Elements Context/Approach Experience Agency
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Stimulus of Social Justice Issue
Stimulus of Social Justice Issue By addressing disparities through equitable supportive environments, there is hope for meaningful transformation within the society.
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4.1 Description The project will address few of the current social injustices for just humane futurities by jeopardizing the implementation of humanitarian aspect of design that originates from the revolutionary ideals manifested in the art works of the avant garde muralist. The aim is to conceptualize and configure a contemporary civic space with the muralist’s take on the evolution of progressive humane futurities. Particularly, to understand the current implications of his ideology in the art discipline being carried into an architecture that could reconcile injustices by leveraging public design as a tool to respond to the present-day scenario of social concerns.
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Stimulus of Social Justice Context
Stimulus of Social Justice Context
The Revolution, 1957 21
4.2 History of Mexico
Olmecs
Teotihuacan
Mayan Civilization
Ancient Civilizations
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Stimulus of Social Justice Context
Toeltcs
Aztecs
Spanish Conquest
Civil War
Mexican Federal Republic
Mexican Revolution
Mexican War for Independence
Emiliano Zapata
Porfirio Diaz rule ends
Stimulus of Social Justice Context
Institutional Revolutionary Party
Alvaro Obregon
Cristero War
Petroleos Mexicano
Mexican Miracle
Women's right to vote
Tlateloco Massacre
Earthquake
Vicente Fox
Felipe Energy Sector Calderon Reforms
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4.3 Political Influences - David Alfaro Siqueiros
Stimulus of Social Justice Context
David Alfaro Siqueiros Chihuahua, 1896 Communist, Fascist At the age of eighteen, Siqueiros joined Venustiano Carranza's Constitutional Army fighting the government of President Victoriano Huerta. He was then exposed to Marxism and saw the life of the working and rural poor while traveling with the Constitutional Army. After Venustiano Carranza's forces had gained control, Siqueiros briefly returned to Mexico City to paint before traveling to Europe in 1919. Siqueiros remained deeply entrenched in labor activities, in the union as well as the Mexican Communist Party, until he was jailed and eventually exiled in the early 1930s Francisco Goya - The Third of May, 1808
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Umberto Boccioni - The Charge of the Lancers, 1915
Stimulus of Social Justice Context
After spending many years in Mexico and heavily involved in radical political activities, Siqueiros went to Los Angeles in 1932 to continue his career as a muralist. Siqueiros was eventually arrested in 1960 for openly criticizing the President of Mexico, Adolfo López Mateos, and leading protests against the arrests of striking workers and teachers Known for making art that was easily read by the public, especially the lower classes, Siqueiros' message in The March is more difficult to decipher, though it seems to fuse two visions of human progress, one international and one based in Mexican heritage
Torment and Apotheosis of Cuauhtémoc, 1950
Cuauhtemoc against the Myth, 1944 25
4.4 Current Social Injustices
Stimulus of Social Justice Context
Slavery
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Dictatorship
Caste and Class system
Stimulus of Social Justice Context
Corruption/ Cronyism
Secularism
Poverty
Feminism
Homelessness
Terrorism
Drug Cartels
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5.1 Location
Stimulus of Social Justice Site Studies
Site - Park Siqueiros Area - 55650 sft Access on 3 sides
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5.2 Zoning
Stimulus of Social Justice Site Studies
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5.3 Neighborhood Analysis
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Stimulus of Social Justice Site Studies
5.4 Mapping
Stimulus of Social Justice Site Studies
Park Siqueiros is the key element that has the potential to unite the neighborhood communities. The proposal will revision the park as a built environment that can connect, inform of the current injustices within the area creating a a space for advocacy.
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5.5 Site Diagrams
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Stimulus of Social Justice Site Studies
Stimulus of Social Justice Site Studies
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6.1 Outline
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Stimulus of Social Justice Project Development
Collective Suicide, 1936
Stimulus of Social Justice Project Development
North wall detail, The March of humanity 35
6.2 Scope
Stimulus of Social Justice Project Development
The intent is to reconcile injustices through the muralist's take on progressive human futurities manifested in his murals. By identifying the intention behind a mural, there can be a possibility to extract architecture. Identifying the time in which it was drawn, influences for the expression of the mural, techniques and materials used etc provided an opportunity for conceptualizing the project. While manifesting art that is political is the main intention of the project, the revelations in Siqueiros' murals that imply revolution through mass gatherings will be potentially taken into account.
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South wall detail, The March of humanity
Stimulus of Social Justice Project Development
"Controlled Accident"
Step 1 - Collectivity and Abstraction Step 2 - Subject and Representation Materials - Lacquer, Paint thinner, Nitrocellulose, Solvent Tools - Airbrush, Shotgun, Stencils, Cutawl Techniques - Pour, Drip, Splatter, Layer
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6.2 Scope
Stimulus of Social Justice Project Development
The Control
Sketchbook paper
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Construction paper
Regular paper
Stimulus of Social Justice Project Development
The Accident
Sketchbook paper
Construction paper
Regular paper
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6.3 Concept The Process
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Stimulus of Social Justice Project Development
Stimulus of Social Justice Project Development
Derivative
Flatten
Access
Space Division
Connection
Operation
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6.4 Design Development
Plan + 3.4 m
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Stimulus of Social Justice Project Development
Plan + 6.4 m
Top View
Stimulus of Social Justice Project Development
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6.4 Design Development
Stimulus of Social Justice Project Development
Screening panels
Gridshell Structure
Timber Gridshell detail Foundation
Concrete Block walls
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Stimulus of Social Justice Project Development
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Thank You
Stimulus of Social Justice
ADE 622 Independent Thesis Faculty Advisor: Claudio Vekstein Pratima Tatikonda