Model and Scale
Research on the Chosen Artist and Analyze his compositions
Constant Nieuwenhuyst, was a Dutch painter, sculptor, author who focus on drawings and usage of materials for constructing the models. New Babylon is ‘a design for future architectural structures, made for a society of creative people who are freed from stultifying every work’ (Boersma 2005, p. 49); Constant worked on such project from the middle of the 1950s up to the end of the’ 60s. The basic principle of New Babylon was constant change. Such a project attempt to prompt people to express their creativity in this ‘malleable living space’ (Thomas 2008, p. 116). Wigley (Thomas 2008, p. 118) points out that ‘New Babylon is seemingly infinite playground’, which could describe as the workers of New Babylon were the players and the architecture is a game – ‘a game that knows few limits’ (De Zegher & Wigley cited in Thomas 2008, p. 118). The spaces of New Babylon is likely interlinked in a labyrinthine network that spreads itself across the entire surface as one large building. It follows the idea of ‘the opportunities for disorientation will increase the potential for exploration and so promote a highly intensive used of space’ (Wigley 2001, p. 225). It is to say; the artist would make that space increasingly complicated and intensify the usage of it.
Ladder Labyrinth / brass, plexiglass, wood / photos: Victor E. Nieuwenhuys
On this stage, I will follow Constant's ideas of using various materials and attempt to produce my model as complicated but show a way of trying to use the space intensively.
Boersma (2005, p. 49) stated that 'the physical side of New Babylon consists of work on paper', such as sketches, drawings and composition photographs, which used for presenting the inner space of New Babylon and the incredibly detailed of various sectors. There are multiple drawing techniques has been used, for example, traditional ink and pencil sketch which used for presenting detailed sections. If his model represented as a drawing, it would show a two-dimensional view, but it will become three-dimensional when the viewpoint drops. In addition to it, the models almost made by metal mesh, copper, Plexiglas and some fibres; Constant also focus on the use of ‘colour, light and personal experience’ with ‘high-tech materials and structural connections’ as a consideration of the model’s overall infrastructure. Lastly, the idea of design New Babylon is for play, which means it allows to have changeable that based on the people’s last desire and creativity. However, Wigley (2001, p. 225) stated that a labyrinth is not only a ‘complicated spatial structure’, as it is a ‘dynamic labyrinth’. It refers to the spatial form produced by the activities which evolve within it, rather than the activities determined by the spatial form; it also implies social freedom.
Pencil on paper
Interior with Steps and Doors, Ink on paper
As Constant starts to draw before he constructs the models, I noticed that such a way could help before I start to make the final one. Therefore, I will probably need some sketches of different sectors. For example, drawing the structure of my overall model; each detailed section; and highlight any elements and patterns to help create the actual model.
Backing to look at Constant's models, it comprised of grids and many floors; it also constructs the stairs. The materials he used are most metal mesh, copper and Plexiglas, which combined with various colours and may use the nails to join them together. It presents his ideas of complicated and the basic ideas of his project (New Babylon), which refers to such a building seems like a playground. In addition to it, it will probably become more brighten, as the use of Plexiglas allows a high luminous efficiency. Also, it could reflect the space of a model if there is a beam of light cast into it. In detail, we could see that there are space left on his models, rather than every piece of materials connect seamlessly. As another principle of New Babylon is allows people to "play" with it. It means it allows any activities or changes that happened based on people's creativity; also, they all are opening spaces. According to such content, Constant's compositions somehow implies the idea of social freedom. Constant's drawings are quite clear and easy to understand. For example, it presents how is the spacial form, the overall structure and the inner space of a model in visually. He uses straight lines in black ink mostly to form sketches before constructing the actual models.
Process of construct own model
To start to produce the models, I tried to test with different materials first to decide what material I need to use for the final one. Also, I follow the method that Constant did, which is using drawing skills to analyse the different sections within a model. It includes the drawings from different aspects - the plan view; the simple axonometric sketches; also highlight the significant patterns of each model. As a result, I created the models by applying grids and different floors. Also, I tried to produce in a complicated view but based on the way of using the space intensify.
The First Model which Shows Different Floors
At the first time making, I attempt to show the basic idea of New Babylon, which is comprised of different levels. Also, I tried to show a complexity view. I created the various size of the square shape and using the needle to join them in order, which can easily see from the plan view. The material I used for the first time was a kind of cardboard which I got from the Reverse Garbage, it was hard to join and fixation them together, as their surface is quite smooth. So, I changed to use light wood for constructing the second model.
At the first time making, I attempt to show the basic idea of New Babylon, which is comprised of different levels. Also, I tried to show a complexity view. I created the various size of the square shape and using the needle to join them in order, which can easily see from the plan view. The material I used for the first time was a kind of cardboard which I got from the Reverse Garbage, it was hard to join and fixation them together, as their surface is quite smooth. So, I changed to use light wood for constructing the second model.
The Second Model which Comprised of Stairs
For the second model, I add the stairs (the red sticks) on each level, which accord with another idea of New Babylon. Likewise, I still create on different floors and grids view. I attempt to provide a contrast and offering an attraction point to the viewer. So, I paint the wood stick in red, which looks to design creatively visually. It was easier to join the light wood together, as it could be connected by using UHU glue directly.
The Third Model Created by iron wire
Back to the previous models, to join each part together on both of them would need an additional technique in order to complete it. However, I tried to use the iron wire this time, as it could form any structure and shape that I want to produce. I undoubtedly kept constructing by grids and stairs, which always based on the basic principle of New Babylon. In a result, even though the wire was easy to deform, but the quality was not strong enough as the wood. It might also look too weak and easy to destroy; so, I changed to use the light wood again for the next.
The Fourth Model Combined with Gel Filter Film Plastic Sheet
For the last iteration, I more focus on space and create with other materials. Since the basic principle of Constant's project which allows any activities and changes happened based on the creativity by a human. Therefore, I leave more space here, which also depicts it allows people to construct more to make it more completed. Due to Constant focuses on using different materials of creating one model. Therefore, I decided to use the red film plastic sheet to present a complexity view by combined with the light wood. The reason why I keep use the red colour is I will continue to use it for the final model, and the model will create in black. I think the mix of black and red could provide sharp contrast and attraction, which also may give a sense of design in visually.
Prepare Material for Final Model
I will construct the final model in black. Unfortunately, I could not find the light wood in black; so, I painted them in black and red.
The final model suit at approximately 15 x 15 x 15 cm
To produce the final model, I construct it by using painted black and red light wood in different types, paper in various colour and different quality. The main reason for it is remaining the idea of depicting complexity. It uses the UHU Adhesive to join them together. Also, I aim to attract viewers by colour. That is the reason why I applied in four colours; on the other hand, the mix of these colour somehow could present such architecture more modern. It is still comprised by the grids, different levels and stair, which accords to the basic principle of New Babylon. Addition to it, as the biggest principle of Constant's project, is for playing. Therefore, I created the final model as an actual architectural design in real life (a tiny man placed at the top of the model helps to figure the volume of it). So, it allows people to climb stairs to the top for looking at the whole city; it also allows people to continue to create it, as the roof keeps opening. Also, plenty of spaces here allow people to move freely. As a result, it could bring a feeling of playing with the labyrinth, since its complicated structure.
To produce the final model, I construct it by using painted black and red light wood in different types, paper in various colour and different quality. The main reason for it is remaining the idea of depicting complexity. It uses the UHU Adhesive to join them together. Also, I aim to attract viewers by colour. That is the reason why I applied in four colours; on the other hand, the mix of these colour somehow could present such architecture more modern. It is still comprised by the grids, different levels and stair, which accords to the basic principle of New Babylon. Addition to it, as the biggest principle of Constant's project, is for playing. Therefore, I created the final model as an actual architectural design in real life (a tiny man placed at the top of the model helps to figure the volume of it). So, it allows people to climb stairs to the top for looking at the whole city; it also allows people to continue to create it, as the roof keeps opening. Also, plenty of spaces here allow people to move freely. As a result, it could bring a feeling of playing with the labyrinth, since its complicated structure.
Explanation of how the technique (A labyrinthine city for nomads) constructs a reading of the city
First of all, the central idea of such technique is provides as many as space. It allows people to produce on it time by time. In fact, it points out an idea of the spatial forms are produced by the human activities evolve within it. In other word, people could do any changes to it in terms of their creativity. Additionally, all opening spaces imply that social freedom as well. Such technique somehow which against the traditional idea of building architecture. Since all the building around us belongs to an enclosure space when we actually inside it. However, human being no need to control or trapped inside a space. Therefore, such techniques offer the chance to the people, and they are free to use their creativity to create it as more completed. The use of various materials also against most of the traditional architecture. It makes space does not look like monotonous anymore. According to such content, it presents an entirely new way of seeing the space architecture or a city. It could be described as a space that around us will probably be more open and free. It could also construct by various types of colour and materials on one architecture, which could have more attraction in visually. As a result, the sense of complicated and space make people feeling like play with a labyrinth, which also accords with the basic principle of the original technique.
Reference
Boersma, L. 2005, ‘Constant by Linda Boersma’, Constant by Linda Boersma, no. 91, pp. 48-53.
Leisa, T. 2019, ‘Lecture 04: model and scale’, UTS Online Subject DDWO001, PowerPoint presentation, UTS, Sydney, viewed 19 August 2019, <https://canvas.insearch.edu.au/courses/964/files/263141?module_item_id=121964>.
Mallorie, C. 2015, ‘Revisiting Constant’s New Babylon: city surfaces and saturation’, Graduate Journal for the Study of Culture, no. 5, viewed 21 August 2019, <https://lisbonconsortium.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/1-mallorie-chase_constants-new-babylon.pdf>.
Thomas, M. 2008, ‘These great urbanist games: new Babylon and second life’, Journal of visual design, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 116-122.
Wigley, M. 2001, The activist drawing: retracing situationist architectures from Constant’s New Babylon to beyond, MIT Press, Cambridge.
