Method of Investigating: Written Response

In this project, “Species of Space” (Perec, G. 1974) and “Invisible Cities” (Calvino I., 1972) are the most inspiring writings to me. These two books take an in-depth look at the physical space and provide a new perspective on how to see them. “Species of Space” introduces a systematic methodology of how to record our observations and how to interrogate the system within. During the initial research, static visual elements on the site are overwhelming and confusing. The author’s idea of “Apply yourself. Take your time.” inspired me to position the site in the dimension of time, observe its changes by taking detailed notes, and decipher the site through comparison. The concept of time is further extended in a chapter from “Invisible Cities”, in which the author represents the site as a continuous and ever-changing existence, on which I construct my visual model and focus my approach on motion graphics and layering.

In ‘Species of Space’ (Perec, G. 1974), the author mentions a list of practices for observing the site. On page 50, the author mentions that we should observe the site, from time to time, with some concern for the system, which inspired me to extend my observations from space itself to the dimension of time. The author also provides an unbiased approach, which means that the most obvious and tedious objects are also very worthy of mention. This in-depth observation is crucial because we are often lost in the site’s most prominent visual elements, which often represent its distinctive features but are also the most superficial of things. On page 51, The author highlighted that there is rhythm on the site. By definition, rhythm is a repeated pattern of movement or sound over time. At a later stage of the investigation, I took inspiration from this notion and focused on the rhythm of the canal, which subsequently evolved into what is called “the transformation.

In the chapter ‘Continuous Cities’, Calvino expressed the idea that cities are evolving in a continuous way, which inspired me to explore the site’s ever-lasting growth and changes. Although the pattern of how the cities function might be the same every day, Calvino mentioned that the city is refashioning itself on a daily basis. In addition, changes in different aspects will ultimately affect each other and produce new changes. Therefore, deciphering the site’s transformation requires us to focus on the connections between different objects within it. The places in these articles are observed and described in such detail that the reader seems to be in them. Besides, concerning the idea of “change,” both of them place the site in the context of time and try to see things through the lens of evolution. In addition to the macro view, they inquire how every element functions on the site from a micro perspective.

(1974) Species of Space. London: Penguin Books.
Calvino, I. (1972) Invisible Cities. Florida: Harcourt Brace & Company.