Born and bred in Wolverhampton, I gained my undergraduate part 1 qualification at Nottingham Trent University in 2015, I returned to the West Midlands and gained employment at Malcolm Payne Group before starting my postgraduate studies part time as I continued to gain experience. I have worked on a variety of projects including residential masterplanning, heritage and conservation, urban planning, commercial and extra care facility projects. Please see below for the abstract of my thesis work.
The thesis proposal and thinking was heavily inspired by Eduardo Paolozzi, a key member of the Independent Group and who’s work is included in the University of Birmingham collection. In particular his ‘BUNK’ collection, a series of collaged screen prints that look to reveal a reality or truth to 1950’s advertisements by applying juxtaposing features to provide a different interpretation. These juxtaposing elements exhibit Paolozzi’s obsession with pop culture to redetermine what he defines as “the bombardment of inconsequential junk”.
This provoked thinking into the reinterpretation of pop culture and “the bombardment of inconsequential junk” in a contemporary context. What can be challenged and revealed?
Based on this thinking, the influence of the mass media can be seen as part of pop culture, disposable culture and the “bombardment of inconsequential junk”. In particular social media provides everyone with a platform, it is uncensored and has no distinction between authentic and in-authentic or true and false. The idea that if information can be categorised as inauthentic, this can then provide increased authenticity of what is truth.
How can this be achieved? ‘Good Faith Dialogue’, The ability to see the world and opinions through the eyes of others, especially of whom we disagree. Good faith dialogue will be promoted within the spaces, seeing topics and themes from the alternative perspective which can be considered by the individual as in-authentic if they do not agree but in turn looking at the juxtaposing opinion can increase the authenticity of the individuals opinion.
The Programme…
Archive – House the existing issues of redbrick and provide space for the increasing amount of issues of ‘redcrete’. This space is to be non-digital to reduce distraction and encourage dialogue.
Open Discussion Areas / Forum – This space is versatile for changing demands dependant on exhibitions and events and to provide a place where larger discussions and dialogue can take place.
Publishing Suites – Space for the production of both publications. A graphic studio where the representation of news can be challenged as well. I particular a space for screen printing where the influence of Paolozzi can be applied.
Concept…
The project is positioned just south of North Gate on an existing area of passive ground, the idea was to reduce interference with the historic context of the site and not to obstruct but to try and enhance the main view south to the clocktower. The proposal of a subterranean archive, forum and publishing suites was to provide to pull and proximity to the current passive area.
Materiality…
The materiality of red concrete that is poured to create the sculptural walls is a subtle juxtaposition to the historic red brick nature of the university core. It provided the sculptural and layering aesthetic which is influenced by Paolozzi.
