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THE ART OF ASSERTION & SUBMISSION

Architecture isn't stable. It morphs and changes. When it stabilises itself, it becomes
dead. People yawn at an architectural proposal that re-presents the seen and the
done for too many times.
Architecture can be a very broad field. It draws inspiration from and influenced by
anything we surround ourselves with. These include art paintings, films, sculptures,
music, political articles, and architecture in media like manifestos, diagrams,
collages, montages, or motion pictures...
We are taught to always break through the present by building an opinion on it. My
stance will give me a medium to be for or against the existing conditions. My
collection of opinionated thoughts were discovered through visitation of some
inspiration around myself.
1. Ornament and Crime by Adolf Loos
Manifesto Ornament and Crime by Adolf Loos compares the perceived realm of
buildings to faces. He suggests that when a Papuan tattooed face is no longer
deemed to heighten the aesthetics, then the tattoos should be reduced. 15th century
European men had to wear shoe rags so the authority can easily identify their social
class and rule them simply based on the quality of the rags. What's important is the
striping-off of ornament when it no longer represents a more humane quality in social
aspect. Thus, I would agree with Loos idea of simplicity of gestures with nonextravagant outlook.
2. Maman sculpture by Louise Bourgeois
French sculptor Louise Bourgeois symbolises the strength of her mother with her
10m tall steel sculpture Maman that depicts a giant pregnant spider located outside
of Gehry's Bilbao Museum. Maman - a French word for mama, can also be
interpreted as a combined word of mama and a man. The 8 wobbly legs are the
multiplied fort to keep the egg sacs (marbles) inside safe. It is a fortification of a
central core which is soft and intimate.
3. Heavy Metal Series heels by Bryan Oknyansky
Architect turned haute couture shoemaker Bryan Oknyansky was featured in London
Fashion Week with his 'heavy metal' high heels series, which are made of hard
texture (aluminium, iron) and soft texture (fabric lace). The composition of the heels

is of curvature and linear lines, conversing a dynamic balance between soft and hard
materials to toughen the nature/beauty of the curving heels. Similarly to Louise
Bourgeois, he buttresses the softness.
4. Sisii Showroom by Yuko Nagayama & Associates
Japanese architect Yuko Nagayama & Associates created Sisii showroom/office in
Kobe that loosely connects and disconnects people through subtle moves by
alternating height differences of floor levels. She also erected steel sheets to partially
partition different spaces. It is a subtlety and sensitivity towards acute differences.
Simplicity and subtlety in specific expressions is driven by an ambivalent dynamism
about ones personal stance in the world that shifts and changes. No matter what we
do, it'll affect the other side. We know when we push, it'll pop out on the other side.
So why not make the move more considerate to others whilst still making a move? It
is the art of assertion and submission.

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