Research
During the 1960’s, or the post-modernism/post-war period, an innovative, architectural group called Archigram came into being. They produced pieces of Pop Up art, intriguing a large audience.
Most of Archigram’s work involved the use of collages with dimensions that offer a vivid consideration of several elements altogether, thus making it a popular presentation method amongst those in the field of architecture. Before the photomechanical prints, Archigram’s drafts consisted of thin-line ink on tracing paper. During the final process, the projects were displayed on blue mount boards.
Analysis
Reflection
Walking City, created by Archigram, is a very large reptilian structure, whereas Instant City is an airship containing all the cultural and education resources of a metropolis which could land in remote areas. This provides inhabitants with a little sense of the city life. The architects who formed this group were Warren Chalk, Peter Cook, Dennis Crompton, David Greene, Ron Herron and Michael Webb. All six of them had the same goal to challenge an architectural establishment that they felt had transformed into something that was quite self-serving and conservative. Archigram often relied on making collages as a way to present most of their architectural designs. At that point, collages were barely used as a tool in this field until Archigram reinforced it and helped make it popular. Paying close attention to the context of the panels allows an opportunity to reflect on the “content and tone of the story” (Ware, 2014). The fact that their collages were unique and filled with bright colors fought the norm of certain designs of the Modernist period. They displayed the world as an almost carefree place, owing to their humorous energy. The feature of hot air balloons brings urban thrills to rural areas. In addition, “the use of magazine ephemera creates the aesthetic of advertising” (Victoria and Albert Museum, 2021). Aerospace technology themes are found as well. Archigram’s drawings were initialy produced in thin, black ink.
Then, after the photomechanical prints were colored, they were mounted on blue mount boards. As I worked through my in-depth research on Archigram and their architectural perspective of the world, and brainstormed what I was going to create, I held onto the following focus learnings: practicing drawing while challenging the vanishing point technique, and bringing together my divided photographs and sketches through Adobe Photoshop. I first experimented and practiced clean-line drawing people, spaces and objects in different perspectives. Just like Archigram, my drafts include a mixture of both two-dimensional and three dimensional concepts, keeping in mind the distinct choices of shades and backgrounds. I also attempted at developing my aesthetic language and used a few symbolic motifs. More importantly, the final result showcases some obvious contemporary motifs as well as many shapes and outlandish exaggerations. The ‘Nike’ shoe clearly links to our environment and society today because that is how we now interact with the greater city and the world. I personally believe it is the several small and repetitive elements that bring vibrancy, not the city itself. To reiterate, in Archigram’s making of Instant City proposed as a city that floats, their intent could have potentially been to introduce this excitement to the more compact towns and villages, instantly, and overnight.