SESAM012_RHODES
The theme of SESAM012 in Rhodes is Colossus VS LandmARCH.
Landmarks
Landmarks are key components of the way we organize our knowledge of global, regional, and local environments. Our knowledge of the world is usually described as our "cognitive map." This does not mean that a cognitive map is like a cartographic map - although there is no clear evidence that such a relationship does or does not exist. The term "cognitive map" is either used metaphorically to describe our internal spatial/geographic knowledge, or is used as a hypothetical construct to provide a functional concept related to the mental storage of spatial/geographic information. Although we may not know how information is encoded and stored in the brain, we do believe that the mind can create images (such as maps) in working memory to help recognize objects/features/places, as a way to help recognize such things or as a way to assist problem-solving (e.g. finding the nearest store).This brings us back to landmarks.
Landmarks are used in a variety of ways including: use as organizing features to "anchor" segments of space, use as location identifiers, as to help decide what part of a city or region one is in and use as choice points, or places where changes in direction are needed when following a route.
In general, landmark status is defined by some combination of features including: dominance of visible, natural, or built form such as the Eiffel Tower or Niagara Falls; outstanding color, shape, extent, such as the Kremlin; functional significance as with the Golden Gate Bridge; symbolic significance as with the Blarney Stone in Ireland; or historical significance such as the place where the Battle of Gettysburg was fought. Sometimes natural features (e.g. mountains, volcanoes, deep canyons, waterfalls, or reefs) attract enough attention to label phenomena as a landmark. Sometimes it is a part of the built environment that catches attention - such as the Kremlin, Notre Dame Cathedral, or the Sydney Opera House. And sometimes it is a feature of the cognitive environment that produces landmark status, as with an image of the beaches of South Africa or the perceived ruggedness or grandeur of the Himalayas.
Note that we do not necessarily have to have visited a location or place to acknowledge its landmark status. We may have seen representations of it on TV, in videos or movies, in newspapers or magazines, in photos or slides, or heard about it on radio, or read about it in books, or simply heard many people mention it in conversation. Whatever the source, we acknowledge special status to phenomena.
Colossus vs. LandmARCH
Nowadays, the importance of the image is becoming more essential than anything else, the meaning of a landmark, the crucial point of reference for a site, has changed dramatically. We would like, for this reason, to focus on contemporary landmarks and try to identify and assess the reflections of architectural choices in different aspects of life. The aim of sesam012 is to explore the concept of landmark and identify the principles and the qualities to which a landmark should refer.
The example of the Colossus will be used comparatively and as a source of inspiration as apart from being a global landmark, had a strong theoretical background and ideological symbolism. More specifically it was a symbol of freedom and unity of people.
We are interested in the presentation of a personal vision beyond the descriptive interpretation of the tutors and the participants. That which is able to represent the qualities of a contemporary landmark, capture small conceptual details and recognize changes that could be made in the design process. Our aim, among others, is to show both to the local community and the international architecture field, that young students of architecture can produce very innovative and fresh ideas, and for that reason their voice should be heard and influence the process of rebuilding or not the Colossus. Of course, the purpose of this SESAM is not the reconstruction of the Colossus, but the latter is considered as a good example to be used as the inspiration point, in an attempt to reach more general conclusions.
