Project 02_Phase 01: Research and exploration

For project 02, we are going to design an exhibition hall for a kind of musical instrument. First of all, you are required to choose one instrument for yourself. Then explore and research it, and get really familiar with it until you feel you understand the spirit of this instrument. Please consider the following areas to do research about your instrument:

History and culture background
Shape and form (geometry, plane vs. linear components, straight vs. curve, solid vs. void)
Material(s)
Crafting technique of making the instrument (if handmade, then what are the tools)
Performing style (Is it versatile? Or is it mainly used for one particular music genre?)
Compare rhythm/ texture/ harmony/ proportion/ dynamic in architecture and music (this is an abstract one!)

The purpose of this practice is not to train you becoming a musician, but you are encouraged to think deep and make connection of the two great forms of art - architecture and music. Think deep, meditate and let you spirit released when you experience architecture imagination and music appreciation.

Now let's bring in two other forms of art to this practice: sketching (drawing) and modeling (sculpting). Here comes the homework while you lose yourself in listening to the performance of the musical instrument that you have picked. All due on Monday, Sept 23.

1. Do ten sketches on 8.5x11" paper of this instrument and the feeling/understanding that you get out of it. The ten sketches should go from concrete and more precise drawings to more abstract and dynamic ones. Keep in mind of straight line vs. curves, using line weights to show the depth of space, geometry proportion, etc. You are strongly encouraged to use color. One drawing per page.

2. Use paper and wire (or rope) to make three study models out of three of the abstract sketches you did for the first homework. The dimension should be about 5.5 x 8.5" (half of the regular paper size).

3. Bind your first project into a book as we talked in class.