How Do You Begin a Thesis? Part 02
There has been a productive buzz amongst the 5th years at Auckland Uni. After wading through the initial task of ‘starting a Thesis,’ people seemed to pick themselves up by investigating their topics in a variety of ways. This week concluded the first set of Mid Semester Crits; one of the first times where some of them spoke publicly about their unique topic. Every Thesis student at UoA has the freedom to investigate any topic of their choosing. Although this can be both a blessing and curse, it has resulted in some impressive creativity thus far. This week we catch up with Ping, Leena and Agustin to see what their first moves were after deciding a topic.
SANNZ: How did you start your thesis?
Ping Ang: After choosing to investigate, ‘How can scent be used as an architectural mechanism to provoke emotions, memories and associations to foster an individual experience,’ my process began with digesting all the research I had found. I classified my research into 4 booklets so I could collate and visually diagram or interpret that vast amount of information into what I found useful. The first book was on Perfumery so I established context through history, looked at methodologies in perfume engineering and then critically analysed themes in a cultural reference - Perfume the movie. From there I wanted to explore this digested information in an architectural mode, for me that was modelling and tactile exploration.
I began to put what I researched into practice by using the same perfumery methods but applying it to architectural materials such as plaster, timber, wax and fabrics to experiment with how they could react to scent infusion. From here it was easy to get swept into making multiple collections and playing with mixing two materials or scent and colour; trying to manipulate perception or discover new opportunities. The result is a bunch of scentful objects ranging from little bars, sticks, wax cups, to scent swatches on ply or soaked fabric
Leena Kheir: My thesis topic is about proposing a (North) Sudanese architecture that is borne out of an intimate understanding of the land’s history, politics and unique culture and social mores. The current architecture in the main cities of Sudan, is standard Post-Colonial European buildings that in no way represent the nuanced, complex culture of the region.
Upon selecting this project I knew I needed to engage with my Sudanese friends and family living abroad and in Sudan. I knew that tapping into the international Sudanese network could put me in contact with people who would prove to be incredible resources throughout the duration of my research. So, the logical next step - I created a Facebook group. On the group’s wall, I wrote up a summary of what my topic is and why I added each person. I then invited them to add people they think would be interested in the topic or could contribute in anyway to my research – whether by recommending articles or just
engaging in relevant discussions on the topic with me and others in the group. Within the first day or so the group blossomed, and word spread within the community so that my initial twenty people became thirty and then forty and now sits just under sixty. The page has become a forum for discussion and a place where architects and Nubian enthusiasts have contributed article recommendations and advice. I have found that the page has forced me to take pause and reflect as much as possible on my thesis, because I post regular updates to keep the members posted. It has been such an invaluable way for me to engage with the wider Sudanese community in a way I never have before.
Agustin Fabillaran: I’m focusing on queer and feminist theories. I began by reading novels, articles and watching videos. Once I’ve got the basic knowledge, I started to paint images and create models. Through producing work in relation to my topic, I’ve discovered the concept of concealing and revealing which was reoccurring in the research. It was evident that people conceal and reveal their identities in different settings. So I’ve used this strategy in model making form to develop my idea. Moving one from thing to another, keeping the same idea with me, the whole way by manipulating it in the same method towards my images and models. I have re-photographed and made into three-dimensional images and then the 3D images are photographed and brought back into the same movement again, so I’m constantly doing the same idea in new ways.
