In Adaptation

Module Introduction

Module Synopsis “In Adaptation” aims to explore techniques and practise methods of creative knowledge-sourcing and critical analysis. When designing, it is commonplace for emphasis to be excessively focused on a singular concept as the be-all, end-all solution to manifold problems. In this module however, the act of designing is more so an act of problem-solving, one that therefore requires the ability to generate multiple ideas of substance rapidly. In order to do so, it is crucial to have a broad range of information and knowledge from which to draw upon, as well as to engage with a subject matter in depth. Through a series of discussion-based workshops, forums, exercises and lectures, the module introduces the process of reading, translating and adapting disparate creative mediums such as film, art, and most importantly, literature in relation to architecture. It is through this critical process that students will begin to build upon their wealth of knowledge as well as exercise discernment in matters related to architectural design such as context, content and cultural relativity and relevance.

Module Objective

1.. Source, cite and discuss themes and references from fields related to the current and contemporary context that are significant in re-telling of stories

2. Apply learnt skills and techniques in an exercise of creative adaptation.

3. Critically analyze a theme or subject matter from an artistic mediums. (e.g. art/architecture/film/literature)

Project 1: The Art of Adaptation

The exercise is in preparation in the lead-up to the final project of adapting the literature Invisible Cities to the local conditions of the greater KL. The everyday life of cities and its banality is a scene that has been taken for granted. While the experience of the everyday life is banal, there are a plethora of mediums/channels by which stories of cities are told/expressed, one of which is literature. Literature is a medium in which stories are told, some of them original but most are tales from across the centuries adapted to a contemporary or different context, or to a modified theme to enhance the storyline. using the literature, Invisible Cities, as the basis, students are to study, analyse and creatively adapt it using a graphical representation.

Objective of Project 1

1. Critically analyse a theme or subject matter from an artistic mediums. Focus only on three
elements. (e.g. art/architecture/film/literature)
2. Source, cite and discuss themes and references from fields related to the current and
contemporary context that are significant in re-telling of stories.
3. Re-present the story in a graphical approach based on the contemporary context of time.

Task of Project 1

1. Select a chapter from Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino.
2. Read and describe the story and the ideas extracted from the story using mind-mapping. (Focus only on three elements and ways to resemble it’s characteristic)
3. Creatively adapt the story by way of graphical/visual representation.
(painting on an A3 sized paper, complete with black frame)
4. Take photo of each work for Portfolio Submission.

Final outcome of Project 1

Project 2: Observing the Everyday

The purpose of this exercise is to have a deeper understanding of the city in which we inhabit but do not necessarily seek to understand, Kuala Lumpur, and her greater surroundings but that of an objective standpoint in comparison to personal subjectivity. In this exercise of objectivity and subjectivity, you will select an artiste/philosopher/'idol' of choice whose methodology you prescribe to or can identify with, and observe a selected area in or around the city of your choice in the eyes of him/her.

Objective of Project 1

1. To create an objective observation of the people and society of a specific area within KL
2. To draw analytical inferences from informed yet authentic observations
3. To be aware of the difference between forming an assumption and making an informed
conclusion

Task of Project 1

1. Identify in what tools/perspective/lense did Calvino uses to identify the city characteristics
2. Identify an area within KL or Greater KL (a bird-eye view image is required)
3. Apply Calvino’s tools/perspective/lense in a one-day observation of your area: specifically to the
type of users/background demographics.
4. Record and document your observation.
5. Highlight main physical character of the city (i.e. architecture language, planning pattern,
landmarks,etc.)
6. Select three strong image of the site to describe your findings

Final outcome of Project 2

Learning outcomes of Project 2

1. Critically analyse the Greater KL
2. Use appropriate materials and methods of research in the process of observing the Greater KL

Project 3: RESYNTHESIZED AN EXPERIMENT

Exercise 1 is an attempt to adapt literature int graphics/visual expression of the city, while Exercise 2 is an attempt to 'see' the ordinary city in an extraordinary or unique way. The final project is a synthesis of the surrealism and imaginary in Exercise 1, and the realism and physical fabric of the urban conditions in Exercise 2. It stretches further the idea of 'adaptation' in the style of how a film maker would overlay an imaginary (utopian/dystopian) city into the real space. In brief, this project is aabouve the exploration of an adaptive process beween the imaginary and the real, and non-physical and the physical.

Objective of Project 1

1. To understand the process of translating ideas through the process of creative adapation

Task of Project 1

1. Based on Exercises 1 & 2, identify the issue that contributes to the significant characteristic of
the city as narrated by Calvino.
2. Structure a storyboard proposal of how the city changes through time if the issue is unresolve.
Make a projection timeline of predicted situation in 25 years, 50 years and 100 years from now.
3. Identify the projected timeline to be visualized as a dystopia or utopia city.
4. Produce the creative adaptation using the appropriate tools and references that you have
identified in your proposal.
5. Produce a 250-word post-production text explaining the elements translated in your short and
why it is appropriate/relevant with accurate references and citations.
6. Visualize your idea through any media as you wish to best resembles the scenario.

Final outcome of Project 3

Learning outcomes of Project 3

1. Apply learnt skills and techniques in an exercise of creative adaptation (video/model)