A reminder that we’re all the same Priscilla Cuadra
0 A reminder that we’re all the same Priscilla Cuadra
THANK YOU to all the professors that have pushed me out of my comfort zone. Most notably: David Rifkind, Malik Benjamin, and Alejandro Branger. Your subtle criticisms have resonated with me, and I hope that encourages you to continue becoming mentor figures for neurotic people like myself.
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CONTENT 1
Preface
2
Prototype
3
Connect
1
1
PREFACE
Preface Subject
DiverseCITY
Ethnic Racial ...
Gender Sexual Orientation ...
Economic ...
Language ...
A diagram explaining the concerns of the project, and specifying the use of the word diversity as a term defined with more inclusivity.
The project emerges from the idea that public spaces can be used as tool to fight against intolerance. Further, it is a critique about how ALL architecture is social architecture, whether it is conscious or not. And how when we choose to design for wealth, we purposefully and audibly stand on the shoulders of the oppressed. How architecture is the practice of dignity-making, and it’s our responsibility as experts to give importance to those who are being ignored. The project is a humble response to a layered issue. It is an attempt to perform a task of immediate impact to dismantle ideas about supremacy that have been built for over 100 years. One whose infrastructure has shaped where we live, what we do, and what we think. The project acknowledges its own vulnerabilities. And serves as only a platform where rituals arise to encourage conversation and engage in the oldest from of learning-storytelling.
Preface Scope
Implicit Bias
All we’ve seen in the last few years are headlines about how Anti-Semitic sentiment is rising, or whether or not we trust Syrians enough to grant them refuge; or how walls should be built on our southern border to separate us from the brown people, but not from the Europeans who’ve settled just north. Stereotypes of immigrants soliciting work outside of Home Depot or being taxi drivers are deeply engrained. Enough that a quick suggestion from the previous sentence can have you quickly understand which immigrant group is being referenced. Every movie we see depicts the image of an outsider whose reality is often misrepresented. These movies often feature European-American or white protagonists whose lives are somehow threatened by the outsider. “Snatched,” Amy Schumer’s recent movie perfectly represents the point. The protagonists, two white women get kidnapped while on a paradise vacation. The location is never specified, and the locals are a random mix of brown people. Each of them sporting a random accent, some theatrical and Mexican, some unidentified. This cultural insensitivity is shockingly ignored. These characters are so common in Hollywood, that they’re believed. What is important to note about these characters is that for areas in the United States where people wouldn’t normally come in contact with these ethnic or racial groups, that character is all they know. Implicit bias exists within us all. When taking the Implicit Bias Test, a test designed by Harvard to gauge the intuitive associations we have about different racial, ethnic, disability, gender, religious, and many other groups. I began to discover biases within me.
Results of implicit bias tests, performed through an attempt to understand my own biases.
Preface 2010 Census Division
Red
European-American Polulation
Blue
African-American Polulation
Orange
Hispanic-American Polulation
Green
Asian-American Polulation
Racial dot map of Miami-Dade where each dot represents a person. And each color represents their racial classification. These results are part of the 2010 census. Notice how each racial group is clearly divided.
1935 Redlining Division Cause
Blue
Desirable Land
Yellow
Declining Land
Red
Hazardous Land
Green
Best Land
1935 redlining map representing the cause of clear racial division in Miami-Dade. The more desirable areas were areas strictly regulated by housing laws, granting loans to only European-Americans. While Hazardous areas were populated by immigrants or African-Americans.
Preface Aim
Connect
Our geographical location is a result of years of racial intolerance. This racial intolerance drove European-Americans to draw impenetrable boundaries around their communities. These boundaries were backed by strict housing laws that implicitly denied access for housing to minorities even if they could afford it. When looking at a 2010 census one can see that these boundaries still exist. When we scratch our heads quizzically asking ourselves why we’re all so different, we should think about this: Our social circles become eco-chambers for like-minded thought. After 75 years of living in these bubbles designed to protect the privileged, of course we’ll disagree. My argument is that once we become intimate, we can start to empathize. We can begin to let go of stereotypes that are harmful and invalid. We can begin to let go of the things that serve to only separate us from each other. The project uses the wall and repurposes the idea of an object traditionally used to separate, into the object used to connect. The project is composed of a series of walls, each designed to parallel the journey of intimacyStep 1: Dialogue Step 2: Transparency Step 3: Vulnerability Step 4: Reciprocity Step 5: Reflection
A diagram explaining how the project intends to repurpose the idea of wall into something meant to bring people together.
2
2
PROTOTYPE
Prototype Proto 1 Test 1
Goggle prototype
Proto 2 Test 5
Helmet prototype
3
Prototype Proto 2 Test 4
Helmet prototype
Reflection Test + Reflect
Prototype 1 is a minimum viable attempt at creating a link between people. The object is composed of two goggles that can adjust to a person’s height. It could either be used to watch a curated video, or simple stare into the eyes of the person on the other side. This experience is typically shared with two people who are intimate, doing this action with a stranger in this case, could encourage transparency between strangers. And this prototype was an attempt to test my assumption. Prototype 2 was created through the attempt of creating a more refined project. It is composed of two helmets made of felt. These helmets restrict your vision, and muffle your hearing. Further it is an attempt to create a physical link between people.
3
CONNECT
Connect Step 1
Why Intimacy
BRING TOGETHER TO EXPERIENCE CATHARSIS AND INTIMACY,IN EFFORTS TO BECOME AWARE THAT WE ARE ALL THE SAME.
INTIMACY
(NOUN)
PEOPLE WHO OTHERWISE WOULD BE STRANGERS, COME TOGETHER IN THE MOST EXPERIENTIALLY RICH WAY.
EGOCENTRIC(
ADJ,NOUN)
HAVING THE INABILITY TO UNDERSTAND OR ASSUME A PERSPECTIVE OTHER THAN ONES-OWN. SELF-CENTEREDNESS.
CATHARSIS ( . A RELEASE OF EMOTION
NOUN)
Premise describing project intention.
Intervention1
Curiosity + Closeness
The Cave-like space intends to bring people physically close together. It is meant to embrace curiosity by enticing people to look inside and walk through the intervention.
Connect Intervention4 Vulnerability
Goggle Installation.
Intervention3 listen + Share
Audio cocoons that are meant to have people share secrets with each other.
Connect Intervention4 Curiosity
Rotating surfaces for message writing.
Intervention5 Touch
Embracing the child-like nature and encouraging people to touch each other, even if it is though the proxy of wooden dowels.
Connect Reflection Test + Reflect
After testing the first prototype, what I gathered is that the proposal had to be more refined. The taped-up cardboard from the first prototype was easily dismissed by the public. This switched the gears of the project to one that really thought about how obsessed we are about perfection. Our world is all machine made, and our objects flawless. This is why I followed with these studies. These studies would be made with orient strand board and would be assembled thought a machine, the CNC. I discovered that people need directions, not because they didn’t know how to use the objects. But because they needed permission. This was concluded from testing objects with and without instructions. People were more willing to use the objects if they had instructions
Reaction Test + React
When taking a step back it was easy to see that the idea was being lost by fetishizing this perfect object. Then the objective was to go back to the drawing board to think about each object as either a procession of experience or an all-in-one device. When beginning to think about putting together an all-in-one device, the concern was sensual emersion. What followed was prototype 2. This felt prototype was tested, only to conclude that the idea of the helmet was too scary for people. It was unapproachable because it was unfamiliar.
Connect Site
Site Flexibility
Connect Site
Site Example
View of proposal in Wynwood Walls site.
This image is meant to explain the flexibility of having separate objects. Further, the objects together create a field. One that explains to the user its intentions. Together they become significant and intentional. Each object describes its intentions through the clear titles, these titles briefly explain to the user how it should be used.
Connect
DIRECTIONS
1
Wisper Game
STEP 1 put your hand in compartment A
Object 1 is about promoting dialogue. This object does this though an activity that allows people to become intimate through conversation. The conversation can then be free of implicit bias because of how the object obscures your visions to who would be on the other side.
Experience Diagram of User
Elevation
Dimension + Intent
STEP 2 pick questions from compartment B or C STEP 3 use sound tubes to ask questions to the person on the other side
Connect 1
Wisper Game
STEP 1 put your hand in compartment A
Compartment A is meant to be a rectangular hole meant to ideally have strangers hold hands. Hand holding is an action that even people who are intimate friends rarely do. And further, it’s an action meant to make users feel vulnerable.
STEP 2 pick questions from compartment B or C Do my actions make any difference in the bigger scheme of things?
B
Who do you really want to become?
What is your religion? Do you need one? Identify a person, group, or community that you got to know this year who is very different from you.
How do I work toward something when I don’t even know what it is?
What are the needs or challenges facing them?
Compartment B is meant to contain questions that have more emotional weight. These questions are ones that are meant to get to the root of who we are, so that in this case one can be open and transparent with the person on the other end.
What hobby would you get into if time and money weren’t an issue? What shows are you into? What takes up too much of your time?
If you didn’t have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?
C
Have you ever had a job you were really bad at?
What do you wish you knew more about?
Compartment C is meant to be questions that are light-hearted and easy to answer. They are questions to either take a break from, or to primarily focus on if the user isn’t in the right frame of mind.
Connect 2
See Their World Goggles
Object 2 allows one to see either curated videos, or experience a moment when one would stare into the eyes of the person on the other side. This is through the intention of allowing people to be transparent with each other. Transparency would then be achieved through the experience of a curated video that would allow one to watch a docu-VR video that would give the user insight about the lives of people outside of their reality. The object however, allows itself to still function, even without the video by allowing itself to become a vehicle to an awkward interaction. This interaction would force people to come close to each other and stare into each other’s eyes. This experience is almost exclusively designated to lovers, but through this object we can become transparent and vulnerable. Experience Diagram of User
Elevation
Dimension + Intent
DIRECTIONS STEP 1 use smartphone to watch linked VR video STEP 2 take a moment to see eye to eye
Connect 2
See Their World Goggles
STEP 1 use smartphone to watch linked VR video
STEP 2 take a moment to see eye to eye
Connect 3
Don’t Judge Helmet
Object 3 is about making users feel vulnerable. This is achieved through obstructing the vision of the user. The user would then not be able to perceive the reactions of the public. This experience also produces feelings of vulnerability because the object is foreign. One would have to trust that the intentions of the helmet aren’t dangerous. The activity attached to this object would be one of sharing secrets or feelings. This adds another layer of vulnerability to the object. Imbedded in the fabric of the helmet is a small 2 ½ inch diameter device that would be used to play back pre-recorded messages, or record your own. Experience Diagram of User
Elevation
Dimension + Intent
DIRECTIONS STEP 1 put helmet over your head STEP 2 speak to the person across or listen to the pre-recorded message STEP 3 to listen to the pre-recorded message find device and click button STEP 4 feel free to record your own message by keeping the button pressed
Connect 3
Don’t Judge Helmet
STEP 1 put helmet over your head
STEP 2 speak to the person across or listen to the pre-recorded message
View of Object 2 being used by 2 people
STEP 3 to listen to the pre-recorded message find device and click button
STEP 4 feel free to record your own message by keeping the button pressed
The small recording device would be imbedded in the felt fabic
Connect 4
We Are More Alike
Object 4 is about reciprocity. This is achieved through a screen that would prompt the user a question. In this case the question is “What’s is your greatest fear?” Once the user submits their response, it would then be displayed on the other end of the object. This would be achieved through a project that would display all the answers submitted. The more a response is submitted, the larger the text becomes. The purpose of this is to have the users experience reciprocity with strangers. One could compare their responses to those of others to understand that we’re all the same.
Experience Diagram of User
Elevation
Dimension + Intent
DIRECTIONS STEP 1 submit an answer to the prompted question on the screen STEP 2 walk around to see at how your submission compares to the rest, note: the most submitted questions become larger depending on the number of entries
Connect 4
We Are More Alike
STEP 1 submit an answer to the prompted question on the screen
The image above is a shot of the actual prompt displayed. This prompt would allow you to submit your response by entering “Submit�.
STEP 2 walk around to see at how your submission compares to the rest, note: the most submitted questions become larger depending on the number of entries
The image above is a shot of the actual submissions entered into the program. One can see here that the most submitted response was ISIS.
Connect
DIRECTIONS
5
Reflection
STEP 1 step inside the tight box
Object 5 is about reflection. The intention is to have users reflect about what the experience meant to them. This object would have users stand in a small space surrounded by questions. These questions would be printed on sheets of paper with black spaces on the back. This space is meant to have users interact with the object by writing their responses.
Experience Diagram of User
Elevation
Dimension + Intent
STEP 2 answer 2-3 of the questions hanging from the inside of the box STEP 3 write your answers on the other side of the questions
Connect 5
Reflection
STEP 1 step inside the tight box
STEP 2 answer 2-3 of the questions hanging from the inside of the box What made me uncomfortable? Why was I uncomfortable? Was there anything really difficult about this situation? If so, why? Was there anything that really disturbed you? Why? What questions did this experience bring up for me? What did the people I encountered teach me about myself, about the world? How was your faith tradition in the midst of this experience? Was there any aspect of your faith that helps you deal with these feelings? Why did you decide to do this?
Why did you decide to do this?
STEP 3 write your answers on the other side of the questions
Connect Conclusion Long Way to Go
The project is a humble response to a layered issue. It proposes the idea that public spaces can be used as tool to fight against intolerance. The project is composed of cardboard, a material that’s affordable, light, and humble. It arranges itself through a series of experiences, one that makes users feel vulnerable, and understood. These objects are named and numbered, each having a clear language. This language quickly communicated the intentions of each object. Ultimately this minimum viable project could manifest itself in different forms. It isn’t married to form, the idea is more about experience. Further, the idea is about reminding us that we’re all the same. It uses intimacy as a tool to bring us together. This experience would be choreographed to have users begin to empathize; making these objects empathy machines. Since the project could have manifested in different, more sophisticated forms; my humble response was itself a critique about what architecture is becoming. It is becoming architecture that is superficial, and form-making that is only for the rich. Further, I believe that ALL architecture is social architecture, whether it is conscious or not. And when we choose to design for wealth, we purposefully and audibly stand on the shoulders of the oppressed. I believe that when experts begin to give a crap about the people being looked-down-on we can begin to practice the architecture of dignity-making.
A reminder that we’re all the same
Thank You! - Priscilla Cuadra