Connections

The bride of the wind by Oskar Kokoschka.

( Click to enlarge)

            Oskar Kokoschka was an Austrian artist, poet and play writer. I came across him while I was reading a book called "Why we love the way we do" by Preeti Shenoy. Supposedly one of India's leading female writers. Surprisingly what I found most interesting in the book was not the relationship advice (which I do not even require at the moment), but the story of "The bride of the wind".

           So, Heres how the story goes; Oskar kokoschka fell madly in love with a widow called Alma. She was his muse, his center of attention and was slowly becoming the center of his universe as well. Things took a bad turn when Oskar began to behave possessively and had to leave Alma during the WW1. When he returned from the war, he found his Alma to have left him for another man. This devastated Oskar to an extent at which he made a life like replica of Alma. He hired a professional mannequin maker and to make her feel life like they used swan skin on the mannequin. Oskar took the mannequin with him wherever he went, to operas, plays, you name it. He even hired house maids to take care of it. It was all great until the day he realized he was unsuccessful in replacing the void Alma had created within his chest. This realization made him behead the mannequin during a party. 

          The painting was a result of this ache. Oskar kokoshka loved Alma till the day he died. Amazing, isn't it?  But you know what I found even more mind blowing? Alma left Oskar for Walter Gropius! YES! The German architect! Bauhaus! Fagus factory! I was amazed by this connection with architecture. The story immediately felt personal! I guess what i took from this incident is "read whatever you get your hands on" the connections will form where they have to. 

           

Mock Models

                                  (click to enlarge) 

          My favorite method of designing a buildings aesthetics are by making miniature mock up models of the outer shell. I adore the simplicity and ease with which it all comes together. The concept is so easily translated into a model and the tweaks can be made even more easily. Functions are fit accordingly and therefore my life is resolved. 

          These models belong to my second semester design project. The concept was based on the flight of a bird as the project was to design a childrens library. My love for origami was finally being used as I transformed this symbol of flight and bird into paper and then picked up those lines to make these mock models. I have to admit it was a lot of fun! I truly believe one needs to feel excited about an idea for it to really flourish. This sentiment does contradict the belief of the tortured artist, which many would say is the true color of creativity. But I disagree. My beliefs agree with "Big Magic" a book by Elizabeth Gilbert. You have to be able to enjoy your own work positively.  

Semi Circle + Arc = SARC

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         During my Interior Design studio, which I loved, My assignment was to design a lighting fixture that related to my project. 

           My project was a work space, called AAS-PAAS, Its a travel agency, lets just say it was pretty obvious I had to design a task light. Thanks to the innumerable nights I've spent on my drafting table I had a good idea of the do's and don'ts.

Lets start with the Don'ts -

1. It shouldn't take up valuable space on my table

2. It shouldn't cause distraction (honestly, do we really need more?)

3. It shouldn't focus on just a particular area

4. Avoid glare

5. Shouldn't be in my field of anthropometric hand extents. 

This gave me enough to work with. 

The thought of an arc or semi circle came to me through my flier. ( I shall blog that soon ) 

And here we are, after a few failed attempts. I would like to tell you that this has been the most productive project, as I get to use it everyday! *Happiness* 

Sections & Opportunities

           We were introduced to Urban Design as a subject for our 7th Semester syllabus. The area of intervention would be Mattancherry, Kochi, India. Much known for its Cultural and Western influences due to invasions from The Portuguese, Dutch and of course the British. I Wonder where India would stand in today's world without the British Invasion...

          Anyhow, lets not get distracted. During our studio we were asked to hand draft a section through the area we studied and the few of them that would reach the architectural standards of the college would be published in the final journal of the Urban Design semester. In conclusion, I'm incredibly happy to say mine was among them.

SECTION THROUGH THE COMPACT RESIDENTIAL AREA OF MATTANCHERRY, KOCHI.
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My Perfect Monsoon

My favorite freshly baked Cinnamon Chocochip Muffins & A cup of Hot Coffee paired with one of my grandfathers Fiction Novels from the 1960s.

                  Monsoon is my Fav season, The rain purifying the earth, as though washing away the unwanted..(reminds me of the bathing rituals the Brahmans in the Indian culture practiced- A method of cleaning ones body of impurities and sins.) The fresh scent in the air, the cool breeze, the umbrellas, the sound of the water beating against your window. Its just so pleasant! I want nothing more than a hot beverage to be paired with my novel on such a day! But ever since I baked my cinnamon chocochip cupcakes, I have found a new addition to my must haves!

             I love the precision in baking. Everything is measured, uniform, timed and lets be honest, The final product is rewarding. Its the happiness of following perfect steps to achieve a product so delicious that I love most!

                Pair that with the breath taking monsoon weather and I promise you won't have a bad day. 

Butter + Sugar = Buttercream

My very first attempt at cupcakes.

Vanilla with Chocochips topped with Sprinkles.

My second attempt.

Choco-Mocha Cupcakes with Buttercream & Roasted Walnut Toppings.

            During the month of January-15, my aunt Neeru decided to visit us with her blissful Crumb-cake topped with chocolate sauce, I knew instantly I had to learn the recipe. So, over the weekend she taught me the basics of baking and gave me a few recipes to bake. And I haven't stopped ever since. I have taken up baking as a hobby.

I Love It.

Code 9 - The start

Started with a group of individuals who had absolutely no idea where to begin, where to head and what they were capable of. Thinking of the possibilities, the things they could achieve, they things they could discover.

A world filled with possibilities as it may seem.

The vision to us was clear, we needed to be discovered.

Just as a new specie is discovered and its capabilities and potentials are unknown, it is named specified under a code, not to be categorized as yet. Relating to which we named ourselves code 9. 9 being the initial number of group members, and that's where it began.