UnOriginal
In the project 'UnOriginal', originality, imitation, inspiration and derivation are explored carefully and studied to understand how it overbears to the idea of authorship in some way or the other. According to the words of Ronald Barthes is his book ' Death of the Author', he gives context to when a design is left open to interpretation, the possibilities are multi-dimensional and limitless.
Through the opportunity of this project, the complex topic of originality and authorship was explored through multiple lenses. This project not only formally encouraged us to imitate 'originals' (existing prominent designers and artists), but also gave us the opportunity to research these originals, through various design processes. By walking miles in these designers' shoes, we were able to understand how they think, understand, perceive, and express their designs. The design outcome of the ‘UnOriginal’ was an unofficial extension to a designer's design lineage.
The designer I picked for this project is the Japanese architect and 1995 Pritzker Prize Laureate, Tadao Ando.
So how does a designer draw a fine line between imitation and copying? Through this project I realized that this line is actually a 'blur'. We always interpret what we see and perceive which subconsciously is implied in our designs. It's actually years and generations of traditions and knowledge passed on that in some way is applicable to our designs.
MUSEUM OF GLOBAL CONTEMPORARY ARTS
Proposed for Imphal, Manipur
3D model made to scale 1:500 m
AREA OF INQUIRY
Architects and designers in the last few decades have confined to a 'white cube' conventional style of displaying work in a museum. While the architecture of museums has the scope to become spaces that teleport you into another world, can we as designers encourage experiences, discovery and learning at the same time?
Museums can seem like places that have forgotten sections of times of the past- ones that have evolved culturally and socially amongst communities. When people look at the context of museums today, what goes unnoticed is the relevance of the artwork in the space it resides in. This goes with respect to a time that dwells in the past- a time that had the power to reflect and shape our society as of today's time.
Museums are essentially designed to recontextualise artefacts of generations of heritage property for the public. While the design of public spaces like museums in the last century have been heavily inspired by neoclassical architecture, architects and designers in the last few decades have confined to a 'white cube' conventional style of displaying work in a museum. How can design influence the presentation of artwork in a museum?
What experience does this create for a viewer understanding the artwork displayed? Does the architecture and design of museums eventually impact the people visiting the space?
"A good work of art makes our mental faculties-
perception, imagination and understanding-
resonate."
Immanuel Kant
Site Analysis
Design Proposal
Design Proposal - Renders
For detailed project process documentation, visit-
