Who am I?
...and I would not be surprised if you have also no idea of what the coming course will be about. Do not worry: you are in excellent company and having reached the master course at BAS means this is not the first time either being in excellent company. You will definitely not get it served on a plate. A lot within this open form course is in your own hands. I will provide a kind of a laboratory/studio/kitchen with some basic tools and fresh ingredients but we cook together.
Why Gonzo? Who or what is Gonzo?
Things become easier when you give them a name. So, why not Gonzo?
It has nothing to do with the Muppet GONZO THE GREAT although it might not be far from what the course is actually heading for. It has also not much to do with gonzo porno.
It is actually revering to GONZO JOURNALISM, a style of journalism which is written subjectively, often including the reporter as part of the story via a first person narrative. The style tends to blend factual and fictional elements to emphasize an underlying message and engage the reader. The word GONZO was first used in 1970 to describe an article by HUNTER S.THOMPSON who later popularized the style. His most famous publication is FEAR & LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS from 1971. In the 9th chapter of the second part called: BREAKDOWN ON PARADISE BLVD he vividly describes the search for the AMERICAN DREAM. The book is very much drugs related but that is NOT what i would like to focus on this time. It is actually about a kind of (lost) architecture. I will read you the chapter during the course.
So what is GONZO ARCHITECTURE?
I will give it a try: Gonzo Architecture stands for subjective critical building which is uncompromisingly bold and self-assured in the human sense but also has a global awareness and moral responsibility towards the even greater surroundings. It is subjectively the most daring architectural activity of the times to come but at the same moment also the most needed. Gonzo architecture makes sustainability a fact and might be found where reality and Utopia juxtapose. With other words: it might be a rare species now or not even be around. The need however of this kind of architecture is evident. The planet we live on is in great need of a redefinition of how we take care of it. There might be water on the moon but there is definitely no space for 7 billion people to move there once it is impossible to live on earth. Yes, there will be room to discuss all this during the course and even oppose it. By the way: it was just me who decided to call it Gonzo Architecture in the first place. Should I have called it BAS Architecture?
What are we going to do?
We will simply start with scanning our direct surroundings. We will collect all kinds of material to capture the Gonzos. Different approaches and techniques will be used to hunt down, observe, describe and visualize that movement in architecture. The workshop will include lectures, watching a good film or video, out- & indoor fieldwork, discussion, audio visual research, documentation and finally a presentation of our findings.
Why would you do that?
My aim is to help you to develop and enhance several new techniques and views possibly worthwhile in the final stages of your stay at the academy, your exams and beyond that. The focus lies on personal identity, improving methods of selection, private ethics or positions within global norms, associative thinking and at least to comprehend the theory of relativity.
Looking forward to it?
I would like to give a few tasks and questions ahead so we can start in the middle from day one.
I realize that students have a lack of time and full agendas so this is why I will not over ask and keep it simple.
1. Write down the address of the ugliest, silliest, most frightening, depressing (etc) building you know in Bergen.
2. Do you have a photo or video camera? Maybe in your cellphone? Take it with you on monday (2/11).
3. Be prepared when i ask you: What is a good architect? and i will continue with: And why?
I am looking forward to it!
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