Published in 2007 by The MIT Press, Matthew Frederick’s book “101 Things I Learned in Architecture School” is part scrapbook, part greatest hits and part conscience. With it’s thick chipboard cover (if you know, you know) he succinctly captures the concepts, skills and practices that were first introduced in architecture school but I would guess, most of us continue to revisit, explore and hone. Although a few personal favorites didn’t seem to make the cut (Virginia Tech is #1 ‘Let’s Go Hokies’, coffee and your studio mates are the glue that hold everything together, and turn the music up to get through a creative block), some favorites are highlighted below:
Bookshelf: Picasso's One-Liners
In the continued exploration of minimalism and the power of simplicity, we gravitate toward architecture that conveys a point of view with few, albeit perhaps bold, moves; designs that resist being over-worked rise to the top. Suggestions that “less is more” and its derivation “less but better” guide our focus with inspiration coming from building design, product design or, like today, art. Until recently, the Spanish artist Pablo Picasso (1881 - 1973) was best known to me for his paintings (The Old Guitarist, Guernica, Les Demoiselles d’Avignon) but looking at his drawings provides insight into his process, play / study and brilliance. A new favorite book, “Picasso’s One-Liners” (1997) with an introduction by Susan Grace Galassi, currently the Senior Curator of The Frick Collection, assembles single line drawings by the artist - “single line” as in he puts pen to paper and doesn’t pick it up until the drawing is complete…hence one-liners. Mind blowing to say the least.
“Freedom of gesture, sureness of hand, and a genius for capturing the essence of a character through movement, are integral to these deceptively simple, whimsical drawings.” Susan Grace Galassi
While I could trace his lines with my finger all day and be perfectly content without knowing more, there is always a need to know more. Galassi’s introduction provides just that: history, context and framing that is needed to truly understand and appreciate his drawings. I am not entirely sure how finding this book, reading Galassi’s words and tracing Picasso’s lines will influence our work, but I do know it underscores one’s process, craft and expression. So back to work we go.
“Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working. “ Picasso
Picasso once said “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” Back to work, folks!