Dip Unit 15 Yr 4: Richard Bevan, Nancy Ni Bhriain, Tomas Johnson, Stephen Roberts Millard, George Thomson, Alexandra Thomson, Chao-Kai [Daniel] Wang. Yr 5: Michael Aling, Irene Astain, Rammy Elsaadany, Daniel Farmer, Emma Penttinen, Joel Porter, Soki So, Helena Van Lare. MArch: Nicholas Tayler.
Crash: Architectures of the Near Future This year Unit 15 continued its research into ‘synthetic space’, space that exists as a hybrid of the ‘actual’ and the ‘virtual’, by examining speculative and narrative architectures based on the work of the writer J G Ballard. Ballard’s writing has encompassed topics as diverse as ecological crisis to technological fetishism and augmentation, and from urban ruination to suburban mob culture. He has pursued these topics with a wit and inventiveness that is without comparison. His understanding of architecture, and architects, and his prophetic visions make Ballard one of the most important figures in the literary articulation of architectural issues and concerns. Rather than examining specific texts, Unit 15 followed themes implicit in Ballard’s writing. Unit 15 uses film, video, animation and motion graphics as a way of developing and exploring new architectural modes of representation and practice. Special thanks to: Flacq [Kim Quazi, Marcus Lee], Simon Withers and Vesna Petrasin Robert. Critics: Peter Kidger, Stefan Kuepers, Shaun Murray, Adam Prest, Hannah Vowles.
Nic Clear and Simon Kennedy
Show Cat 08.indd 104
Top: Richard Bevan, Carbon Casino, concept drawing. Middle: Emma Penttinen, Smearpolis (film stills); Daniel Wang, Cyborg Garage.
12/6/08 17:28:13