DISCOVERY THROUGH PROCESS-Part 3

I mentioned in the last post being inspired by what I call the “blackboard” work of Lebbeus Woods. More specifically, the inspiration comes from three sources……The Wall Game, 2004 and the 100 Towers Project, 2007and apparently a studio project of his at Cooper Union, where groups of 3 students each worked on a blackboard for 30 seconds, and then relinquished the board to another group. All three projects can be seen at the Lebbeus Woods website.....lebbeuswoods.net  

The Blackboard Series

So what was I after? Well technically nothing since the product is to be discovered during the process without pre-conceptions, right? I will confess that I brought one goal to the process, which was the goal of achieving the dynamic weight that Mr. Woods mastered with chalk on blackboard, white on black, and his ability to find mass (volume, form?) from a void without no apparent order, and to some extent, chaos (specifically, 100 Towers).

So this process was different only in one way from the Random Discovery Series……this process had deliberate purpose. Rather than just discovery, the process also included a specific search. The three elements of the process…..random collection of line, a backdrop (the black board) and the search for mass, volume and weight within the chaos. Also, a quick tip with regards to viewing....the process is witnessed better by clicking on the first image....and simply clicking on the image again, which brings you to the next one.

BB1.0

BB1.1

BB1.2

 A quick note regarding the above series.......I have misplaced, lost or deleted the file, so the process has been terminated along this particular product's evolution. In frustration, I began again another series. In the interest of being concise, the snapshots are fewer and farther between. 

                                                                                                      

BB2.0

BB2.1

BB2.2

BB2.3

And then, yet another branch. It's the gift that keeps on giving.....

BB3.1

BB3.2

BB3.3

So What have I learned? First and foremost, goals tend to be elusive entities. I set off in search of an indescribable essence. I wanted to create (re-create?) the dynamic flow, energy and chaotic idosycrancies found in the random collection that Woods so masterfully captured.  While the resulting product(s) are captivating, they fall short of what I was looking for. Perhaps that's the beauty of product through process......there is really nothing to critique against since no bar was set. 

The other issue that I am trying to reconcile is that I have been equating evolution and development with complexity. While in many systems that may be true, its not always the case in creative endeavors (art, architecture, literature, etc.). What signifies the end of the process? At what point has a product matured to its completed status? I only bring this up, as I recognize that in the first couple images of the BB2 and BB 3 series.....there is a purity of element that is lost in subsequent iterations.

 I also think that, at least in this particular study, there are some limitations within the software I currently produce with. After this exercise, I've realized that an element is missing, and perhaps cannot be captured using a software program, a keyboard and a 3d mouse. That element is physical connection. In the work of Lebbeus Woods, you can almost see the thought process flow from mind, through hand, tip of pencil and directly manifest  itself into reality on the canvas, paper, and blackboard. My thought process is filtered and interfaced with a computer, and as such, a freedom of flow seems to be lost. Then again, the computer and software program are really no different than a pencil, paintbrush or piece of chalk.....Its just a different tool,  and I need discover how the tool can assist, as opposed to filter, the process. 

More to come………………

RBP

2.12.14