Thing and counterthing animated diagram / project thesis update

with a voice over test

Architectural Role-play 

The architectural role-playing is a virtual role-playing interface for education and entertainment that links the physical site event to any location of the world. 

The historical site disclose a long story that happened long way back into the past. The stories are discovered from the leftover hint that scattered around a historical area by a researcher who eager to reveal the quest of the past. The historical story shows how the past was reshaping a long timeline of mankind's history as well as current culture.

However, the people in the past cannot survive to tell the story themselves while a thing that survived as a hint to track down the past is an architecture, known as the ruin. The ruin is a naked form of a building where its exposed the basis of an architecture through the remnants. It is an essence of architecture where any possibilities can be explore as a stage for imagination, because it presents so little proof of its original use. So the imagination that people put on the ruin is a mask that tell the story of the past. 

As for people, they also put a mask to disguised an identity of themselves. For instance, the Cosplay event. It is where people dress up and act as other imaginary characters. This action of covering oneself with a mask and not being yourself is role-playing. The Khon mask or, more contemporary, the stormtrooper's cosplay mask are the example of a role-playing tools that use for narrating a story or expressing the meaning of something with the purpose of spreading the information to various types of people intentionally or unintentionally, so the performer and audience relationship is both benefited. The performers turn from their self into the characters, in which the level of identity of oneself can be measured by examining the reaction and respond from the audience toward the performers, while looking at the action of the performers themselves. And it can be experiment by producing a virtual performer and audience interactive platform where the related virtual grammars have been combined. 

 In architectural terms, it is different because the mask is not termed as a mask, but an ornament instead. So this virtual interface can be applied to any ruins in the world because the ruin itself is like an architectural essence, in which any ornaments can be put on. Because the ruin reveals a form of a construction that is a basic foundation of any architectural project, as well as, the contemporary buildings structure that reveal a basic shape, without meaning, when no architectural mask has been put on. The architectural mask is the ornaments that changes identity of each type of a building. Same as for a person that uses costume or make up to change their outer appearance for a purpose of differentiation to his or her original identity.

Ayutthaya is one of many historical site around the world that considered as 'world heritage' by UNESCO. One of the famous ancient structure at Ayutthaya is the grand vihara ruin at Wat Phrasrisanpetch. Only some part of the wall, floor and column were remained as the ruin structure. Dr. Sanurr Nildech, the expert in Ayutthaya's archaeology, has mentioned in his book about the ornamentation, survived till the present time, explain that the early Ayutthaya is the period in historical timeline where the Grand Vihara came from. Also the used of the building in the past were told by the leftover structure and ornamentation, even nowadays it is a tourist attraction. 

Therefore, the architectural role-play interface will act as a messenger between the past, present and future. The interface consists of three phases respectively including the Grand Vihara (Ayutthaya), the organization and online software. At the Grand Vihara, the virtual interface captures the image of each person's architectural mask in the ruin, thereby projecting that image to the real site through the 'role-play glasses' that each site user receives at first. The architectural mask is an idea of how each person uses his or her own architectural background or pre-experience to apply it on the ruin structure, in other words 'architecture identity role-play'. For example, a Burmese is would ideally have an image of Burmese column on top of the existing column at the site. In the end, each site user will create an event, which is an overall play setting that comes from all masked images put together and plays a story which is an activity that is performed in the setting. Each person also provides with different identity gauge. Identity gauge is how the identity changed through the level of ornament that has been put on to define which stage of reality the architectural setting is in. Moreover, each site user with background and pre-experience will create a different level of role-playing resolution for the architectural mask. This means some people will only need a few lines to create their own element. 

The information, then, transfers to the organization which collects it into the database. The organization is a control center of the whole system, consisting of 5 departments which are database, user control, representative, technical and role-play specialist. Also, the information appears in the computer online application where it evaluates the information origin, connection and timeline. In this stage, any online user can look into their interested ruin and join the event that happen in each ruin in version of their hologram image project onto the real site. 

Different advantages were provided for different type of users. The site users can create their own event, participate, observe, and record the created event. The online users can cannot create their own event but can create an event from the database, participate, observe, and record any events. With these activities ongoing, the researchers or academicians, on the related topics, will get to explore and experiment the behavior and information of many people from either site user and online user. Then analyze the information for the future profit such as conservation of the ancient ruin. So that this action can lead to the real conclusion on the real events at the real site.

Final: Thing and Counterthing diagram

1. Thing and Counterthing        

Thing: "Phra Wo Sivikakarn" Royal Palanquin
Counterthing: "The Beast" Barack Obama's limousine

The diagram drawing show the overlapping of information of thing and counter thing that occur in the same place as road but different time, the road show the the history along the extended line and overlapping of thing and counter thing show the different scale of both object and along the road show the elements and exploded axonometric show the elements and ornament of the object.

Thing final

The drawing expressing the a thing and counter thing as a role playing tools used for changing an identity of a person to narrate a story or express the meaning of something with the purpose of spreading the information to various type of people, or can also be called as 'audience', intentionally or unintentionally, so that the performer-audience like relationship is both benefited. The gradient rings that surrounded the body of both thing and counterthing are the timeline ring which show the relationship of the performer and audience in different period of time as the darkest color is past and lightest color is present. The information above the thing and counterthing objects are the matter of fact or the story that both of them try to narrate out to the audience. Therefore the whole diagram is like an unknown person (in the middle) trying to be an another character to spread out information.

I don't know why the image turned grey after I uploaded it but the original one is white. I try so many times but the image still look the same.

Final: Drawing of Thing

Thing

Thing:              Thai Typewriter

Counterthing:   3D printer

Typewriter is a tool to translate idea to physical. Typewriter is one way to manifest idea. There are many tools that can be used as translating tool, using machine or even our own body speaking or body language. Each idea has different parameter one need 2D visualisation one need 3D model or even visualisation and sound. To manifest the idea a specific tool will be used and different tools will give different results.

Idea translation is decoding. The translator needs to know the code to be able to translate his/her idea. 

To translate information through thai typewriter first the translator need to have ability to write the language then has ability to type and being cognitive. 

Second part is machine decoding. The mechanism works in order to translate force from typist applied to each button stamps ink on paper. 

The last the reader will receive the information back to his/her own imagination. Every reader will interpret differently according to their own backgrounds, knowledge and experiences. In this case letters on paper, readers should have ability to read and ability to understand the meaning.

3D printer is another translating tool. It has ability to transform invisible idea to invisible and tangible outcome. 

Each manifesto needs different tools to execute the ideas and each tool has different limitation that set other parameters.

Thing Final Update - Canon on an Elephant's Back -- Drone

THING : Canon on an Elephant's Back
COUNTER : Drones

The Canon on an Elephant's back is a weapon for warfare. 

Thing Final Update

THING & COUNTERTHING

Thing: Bussabok (Relic Shrine)

Counter Thing: September 11 Memorial

The purpose of this diagram is to show the quality of both Thing and Counter Thing as a portal, meaning that the object itself has ability to trigger the viewer’s mind into thinking to create a space within their own head. The Thing is a Relic Shrine that keeps the bone of the Son of King Rama II where the design of the Relic Shrine itself was based on the concept of Thai cosmology there for the people with basic background of this will have an image inside their head, a space where the owner of this shrine resides which is Mount Meru. It is the static object made with the sole purpose of displaying to the viewer the remains of Phra Chao Yukantorn.

The counter thing which is the September 11 Memorial was made with a similar purpose therefore shares the same similarity. The names of the victim were inscribed onto the black marble of the memorial which is the imprint of the Twin Tower.

Things

1. THINGS

Thing: Theodolite

Counterthing: 3D Scanner

The diagram shows the relationship of the Thing and the Counterthing, as measuring instruments, and their context. It illustrates both their matter of fact and the matter of concern. The Thing is considered to be an instrument for transformation of reality into the 2D virtual representation and, with further processing of acquired data, back into altered reality.

The 3D scanner, as a modern Counterthing, likewise is a measuring tool used to transform reality. However, the altered reality conducted from the 3D scanner could be both the physical reality and the virtual simulation of the physical reality (eg. video games). 

The virtual representation of reality obtained from the Thing and the Counterthing varies greatly in terms of quality and quantity. The 3D scanner allows for a much more precise resolution definition of collected data to be stored in a virtual space. On the other hand, the process of acquiring information for the theodolite takes much longer since it deals with only two points at a time and needs to be operated manually. The data is translated and collected on a physical 2D medium, which in this case is a map.

Final : Things

1. Saweta Chatra Throne & Barcelona Chair

As mentioned in my previous post, the diagram here represents the concept of nomination through the throne and a contracting element of how Barcelona chair went from being something unique to something mass produced( thereby losing its value). The Saweta Chatra Throne being a communicative tool for the king to his people acts in its uniqueness by showering authority and power, nominating itself through consequent leveled platforms accompanied with ornamentation depicting culture.

                                                       

 The Throne made once for one particular King makes it one in the world hence placed in the Museum to comprehend the rest of Thailand's ruling history.Similarly the Barcelona Chair was made in order to accompany Mies' Barcelona Pavilion and later only made for the Spanish King and Queen to be sat on and taken a picture of. The chair followed its inspiration from the Curule Seat which has similar curvature on its legs again drawing a context where the chair is only used by political/military power generals to depict symbol of authority.

However, the Barcelona chair loses its uniqueness and nomination value once mass manufactured. While the Throne is set in a more religious and royal setting, the chair is used in official business context. Similarly, the thoroughfare leads into a journey of Pak Klong Talat (Flower Market) where each bunch of flowers having equal potential to nomination within the context of a selling market ; where your eye pans around waiting to judge the matter of concern, here being the orchids. The video highlights the mass objects showing the potential possibility of where my eye could wander to a distance, but highlights my attention to only some due to the vibrant colors, here as a matter of fact. Part where I approach the orchids acts as pre-conceived notion of exploring things (driven by motive and curiosity) that have not been experienced before. Would the green+violet orchid have provoked me the same way, had it appeared in mass quantity? Maybe not. Maybe yes.

Virtual Space Draft

The diagram starts off with the small room which contains the thing which act as a gateway that lead the viewer to another different space. on the outer layer is the matter of facts about the object such as materials, construction etc.... The next part is the historical aspect (transition of ornaments) which is the key element gives the thing a portal quality. The next part is the portal space that was being formed when the viewers eye look at the thing. it is the mount Meru that is the core idea of the design of Bussabok. The second layer from the top of Mount Meru is the origin of Phra Chao Yukantorn name therefore it will be the main space that will exhibit the information of sociopolitics. under the Thing is the counterthing that is upsidedown. It is another different vertical axis that leads tot he counter thing that triggers the creation of the future world.

Virtual Pavilion : Draft

My virtual space is going to have the size of human furthest visual distance, as the THING and COUNTERTHING are in the middle on the top of eight steps mountain where the they can spread their informations to every directions. There are two audience rings which are outer and inner rings. The outer ring shows where the audience can see the general information of the THING. And the inner ring which divided into 8 rings show the detail informations of the audience related to the performer of the THING/COUNTERTHING in timeline format (bottom - present / top - past). The performer rings also divided into 8 part which go parallel with the inner audience rings. The floating screen show the matter of fact of the THING/COUNTERTHING such as the materials and physical details. And on top of the space there are the narrative floating rings that cover all of the virtual space to tell the original Ramayana story to the audience.

So the visitor of the virtual space is like the audience in the audience - performer relationship of the THING/COUNTERTHING. The visitor can start walk from any direction in X and Y axis to experience the THING/COUNTERTHING information in general, likes shape on top of the mountain  and material in the floating screen. Also the visitor can get the basic information of the story of the character while walking through the outer plain. And when he or she come to the audience's inner ring zone, he or she can watch the performance and see how the performer role-play as the character in each period from bottom to the top, which is where the THING/COUNTERTHING situated. In each step of the timeline, the environment in the audience rings and also performer rings change. On the top of the mountain, the visitor can look around in every directions to see how the information spread to the other visitors, while he or she is being the performer at the same time.

Thing Drawing Update

Here is my update of the Thing and Counter Thing drawing. This drawing was designed to show that the richness of ones design, in this case the ornaments were designed based on Thai cosmology, triggering the viewers mind to create an image within them. It's acting as a portal that creates and open up a new space based on the viewers background and beliefs. The thing itself may be perceive in various ways like in this drawing, comparing the 2 different types of viewers between traditional Thai people and a modern contemporary foreigners who have to basic background of the Thai cosmology. The first may think about the divine space that this owner of the relic lives while the later can owner refers to the Thai pagoda that share the same design basis. The counter thing which is the cryonic machine may also act as  the portal that triggers the viewer to think and create the world in the future of what it would be like to be reanimate into this unforeseen world that doesn't really exist yet.

The diagram shows the different layers of transition of ideology and belief of Thai people. The first layer is the Thing; Bussabok, the Relic Shrine. On the second layer is the Thing within its context at the museum which is overlayed by another layer of Thai Stupa that shares the same design principle and concept. The upper layer is the diagram of Thai cosmology, Mount Meru which is the core belief of Thai culture that is then projected on the design. The outer ring of the upper layer is the zoom in detail of the 4 continents that we belong to one of the four.

Update: Ivory Howdah

Siam and Chiangmai had always been neighbour countries in a serene relationship since Chiangmai was founded by King Mangrai in 1283. 

In 1558, Lanna kingdom (Chaingmai) was taken over by Burma. Its people were used as slaves and its natural resources such as gold, silver and teak were sucked out of the ground for generations to generations.

In 1750, Siam, for its first time, lost the great battle to Burma. 

In 1760, King Taksin of Siam secretly assemble men to build an army. 

In 1763, Siam won its independence back and too it helped drive Burmese soldiers out of Lanna.

After the independence after 216 years that Siam had helped Lanna regained, the relationship between their royal families were humble and modest. 

The diagram shows connection between the two great countries in 1200 years by studying of their borders in different era.

Ivory Howdah was one of the gifts to King of Siam From Lanna. This particular piece was a birthday present of King Rama 5's 20th birthday and given by King Inthawijayanon who was crowned in the same year, 1816. 

Howdah was mainly made of ivory with only a little use of timber for structure.

Ornaments were carved elaborately onto the howdah. This drawing is the study of its rails.

This drawing shows the approximate use of tusk in the howdah.

THING DIAGRAM UPDATES

The gray Khon mask (in Khon pose) in the middle acted as an another face of one person. As a person look at it, its only reflection is him or herself but with different identity. Same as the Khon actor that has to practice hard to be another person, in this case is the Hanuman character in Ramayana story.

The Mother of pearl's Hanuman mask was excluded up to show its making process, in which the upper most one is the first step of making this mask.

The upper yellow ring shows the loop of actions in which the Khon mask work before, during and after the stage play.

The below unconnected ring is the timeline of Khon. The inner ring indicate different stages of special event happened in each time period, from Ayutthaya (top) to King Rama 9 (bottom). The outer ring shows the Khon performance development and duration of each style of performance played in that particular time, also from Ayutthaya to King Rama 9. 

Updates on diagram

The made-up landscape illustrates the piece of land that was surveyed during the year of 1887. The overlay of layers represents the process of information transformation done by using the theodolite. The maroon is what was being observed. The information then gets translated into coordinates that are marked upon the 2D map (black) for further feasibility study. The orange portrays the railway that would later be built according to observations of the physical reality of the site.

The theodolite could not be placed directly within the landscape due to scale difference but however, it still operates similarly. 

Circles of both vertical and horizontal angle measurement generated separately will overlay the theodolite in position that will explain how the instrument works.

This is an updated timeline that I have worked out the relationship between events. I will add more to it with any further information that could be linked together

Pinup 1: Thing and Counter thing (updat)

First Pinup Thing and Counter thing

The diagram show the layout of the road connected the thing and counter thing together, which occur in the Thailand's road.

The Royal palanquin show the different time frame of the location and events that using by the palanquin which are; the beginning of the palanquin that use by the King, the location in the Bangkok National Museum and the Funeral celebration parade in the most recent.

The Beast limousine using by Barack Obama show the route when he travel from place to place been protected by the police and and parade, also the route that going on to the Thailand road that he came to visit Thailand last year.

FIRST DRAFT: IVORY HOWDAH

This ivory howdah was given to King Chulalongkorn, Rama 5 on his 20th birthday in 1873 by King Inthavijayanon of Chiangmai kingdom. 10 years later, during the colonialism in south-east asia countries, to avert Chiangmai Kingdom to be imperialist, King Rama 5 requested a marriage with princess Dararassami of Chiangmai. Since this significant event, Chiangmai throne was interfered by Siamese governing system until it got completely taken over in 1899. 

The object was made of ivory with slight support of timber and handcrafted beautifully was intended to be involved in amalgamation of two great families and consequently that of two countries. I find its metaphysical quality fascinating.

The further procedure is to research on the effects of this event and the production of the ivory howdah.

FIRST DRAFT: BUSSABOK RELIC SHRINE

Bussabok, or what we call the Relic Shrine is the multi-purpose sacred container for ceremonial activities. In this case it is specifically used to store the bone relic of Phra Ong Chao Yukuntee, son of King Rama II. The Relic Shrine itself is designed base on the Thai Cosmology of the Buddhist Universe.

According to Thai belief, the Royal family are the sacred soul that descend from the heaven to protect and reign over us. Here, the Shrine is decorated with ornaments rich of belief and culture, creates a connection between the human and the presence of him within an imaginable space inside the viewers mind, in other words a portal.

FIRST DRAFT : HANUMAN'S KHON MASK AT NATIONAL MUSEUM

Khon is Thai's royal performance art that were assumed to be first played in Ayutthaya period. This performance has been preserved since then, so each period had various style of it own but it bloomed the most in Rattanakosin, King Rama VI era. Khon performance derived from the story of 'Ramayana' which is about a Hindu God that reincarnated to the Earth to fight with the Giant's king to help his him from his own dignity, with the help from the monkey soldiers.

As the performance composed of many elements, Khon mask will be one of the many elements that people would think of first when talking about Khon. The mask itself also has many features that used to identify each character identity such as different types of mouth, eyes, skin's color and crown. Therefore, the actor need to practice hard to perform as the character. And the mask is a tool to help an actor change his or her self to another, to narrate the story.

Hanuman is the King of Monkey in the story of Ramayana which played an important role by helping King Rama (God reincarnation) kill the Giant's King. The Khon mask of Hanuman were made to goes with his look and abilities, so the normal Hanuman Khon mask is in white skin, mouth open, short crown and there is a crystal in its mouth. However, the mask at National museum is different, because it made up of mother of pearl and steel mesh by King Rama II in the beginning of Rattanakosin Era.

First Draft: A German Theodolite

This part of diagram explains the timeline of events related to the German theodolite used during the reign of King Rama V to survey the land for railroad construction.

(I just noticed I had been exporting and working with the wrong view. Will fix and upload again.)