SZU AN YU

SENSATION.RAR

CYCLE: The Decline and Rebirth

LIQUID PERCEPTION of Governor’s Residence

One Man’s TRASH Is Another Man’s TREASURE

Step into Eternity

REC Alternative Space & CuratingCV / Profile

THESIS PROJECT / BS Architecture

CINEMETRICS PROJECT Cinemetrics International Workshop Hong Kong

INSTALLATION PROJECT Resident Artists Program in Governor's Residence in Tainan County

STORY SHAPES Narrative and Interpretive Planning / MA CPNE

The MUSEUM of the FUTURE / MA CPNE

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Moving in CityWe observe the city through the way we are moving. Different interpretations are generated under different moving mode.

Sensory-MotorsTake the moving mode of the bus as an example: Taking bus constrains people’s behaviour from walking or moving to still sitting or standing position. People in the bus are detached from their routine. They can do very little in this space for waiting until their destinations come, and tend to slow down their pace.At this moment the sensory-motors of people becomes the vantage point with more thinking, hearing and seeing of the ignored messages in the surroundings. People have more awareness of the environments.

Among these relationships between s e n s o r y - m o t o r s a n d s p a c e , t h r e e categories were made: internal, exchange and external.

PerceptionIt can be seen as the media which connect people and the first layer of the surroundings. People explore and experience the space through their sensory-motors, which can be influenced by moving mode. With different moving modes, different interpretations are obtained in the process of observing the city.

Especially the speed of physical and mental states is influential. High speed weakens the sensibility while low speed increases it.

THESIS PROJECT / BS Architecture / Jun. 2009[ SENSATION.RAR ]

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SiteThis is the first east-west expressway in Taipei, which is the most important traffic line in the city. The elevated expressway shadows a street where a main railway situated in the past and is buried underneath now.The expressway intersects with the other major roads and overpasses seven administrative districts.

SpeedWith high speed, the capability of observing surroundings is deprived. People seem to lack the time or the circumstances to receive the messages from the environments.

Fragmented SpaceSpaces are not completely perceptible. People experience the space at some stop points, while missing other parts of the space when moving too fast.

BusMoving by bus is a good way to understand a city. Slow and tortuous movements extend the time and the route of getting along with a city.

SlowPhysically or mentally low speed could release the perceptibility of people. Stories are more readable from the city, streets, and people in the environments.

Connected SpaceBeing opposite to the experience of underground-traffic, overground-traffic provides experiences of which spaces are connected rather than cut off and closed totally: inside/outside, near/distant, close/open.

In the downtown area it intersects with the MRT system creating the high speed and high volume traffic flow and busy commercial districts.

MRT - Muzha LineFusing S.RdCivic Blvd. - High WayCivic Blvd.Commerce Shops

Civic Blvd. - High Way

Civic Blvd.

Commerce Shops

MRT

- M

uzha

Lin

eFu

sing

S.R

d

Commerce Shops

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I n t h e d o w n t o w n a r e a , t h e expressway intersects with the MRT system and creates a high speed and high volume traffic flow and busy commercial districts.

Detached / Re-structureInside this high speed and high volume traffic flow, the site is on the traffic island area, which is detached from high speed surroundings.In this context with slow paced space, three states of internal, exchange, and external are infilled into the site and re-structure the urban spaces through the interaction of perceptions.

InternalInternal status refers to one’s own state of mind or thinking activities. For example, a further idea about and event happened today, or thought of something which was ignored before. Because of the limit of the action, we could concentrate more on thinking or imaging and out ourselves into the state of self-reflection.

ExchangeExchange i s the t r ans i t ion between the closed space and the space outside. The sound and smell outside will spread into the bus when door opens, and the temperature and air flow in the car will be affected as well.At th i s moment , the inner space and the outside space are linked and the sense of closure is weakened to allow the external information to be passed. When the door closes, the link is cut off and the space turns closed again after a series of interchange of the information.

ExternalExternal is the milieu outside us. With our sensory-motor schema, we could capture information from external events: listening t h e d i a l o g u e b e t w e e n t h e passengers next to us, seeing a new office building on the street, identifying one’s occupation from the dress, or presuming the rush hour by the density of people on the bus.The building, people and weather are all embedded with messages for our perceptions to interpret.

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What role does the Central Market play at the bottom of Central-Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System in 21st century?How about the function of Central Market and walkways nowadays?

CINEMETRICSIn Cinemetrics International Workshop, we discussed three directors who used different shooting styles in their films: Yasujiro Ozu, Jean Luc Godard, and John Cassavetes. The still camera frames in Ozu’s film are just like architectural drawings. Directions of the camera are perpendicular to each other. The action of creating images from those still camera frames is similar to the architectural skill of making elevations or sections. In Jean Luc Godard’s film, the view is extended by panning and tilting skills. And the camera follows the actions of people. The events and spaces could be continued while the frames are moving.John Cassavetes used hand-held camera skill. This makes the images more active, unstable, and close to humans’ sight. It is easier to connect with body movements of viewer themselves.In addition to the shooting styles, we also practice “perception images (long distance)”, “action images (medium distance)”, and “affection images (close up)”.

From perception images, we can have the general sense of the relations between people, objects, and space. Action images show the movement of human or objects clearly. And affection images usually focus on someone’s face or particular objects to reveal the emotions or specific meanings.

CINEMETRICS PROJECT Cinemetrics International Workshop Hong Kong / Mar. 2009 [ CYCLE: The Decline and Rebirth ]

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DEVELOPMENT / REDEFINED SPACEThe history of development in this site can be divided into three period: 1939, the central market was built; 1991, the Hang Sheng Bank appeared and 2003, IFC came out. Now there are two elevated walkways between the three buildings, which were established in different generations.Due to the emergence of new elevated walkway, the function of Central Market was redefined again by the new activities. In the past, it was a market selling vegetables and daily things. But nowadays, it doesn’t open any more since its decline. From the photos, we can discover that there are many imported labourers gathering on weekend even street performers, homeless and beggars. Thus their activities create the new space in Central Market and change its original function. They have made the space of this area more vivid and dramatic.

OVERLAP and FEEDBACKFrom the alteration of development focus in history and the extension of new areas, to the decline of Central Market and the rebirth given by new activities, we found an interesting circulation. Especially comparing to the cycle of people’s gathering and passing on weekend and weekdays, it shapes an overlap and a feedback.

In this project, we made a film using Ozu’s shooting style to describe the characteristics of the space with the background stories given by above. 1939

1991

2003

Central Market

Hang Seng Bank New Headquarters Building

Ineternational Finance Centre

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Hang Seng Bank New Headquarters Building

DECLINE REBIRTH NO ACTIVITY OCCUPIED

Central Market

1939 1991 2003 weekday weekend

Ineternational Finance Centre

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INSTALLATION PROJECT Resident Artists Program in Governor's Residence in Tainan County/ Nov. 2010[ Liquid Perception of Governor’s Residence]

LIQUID PERCEPTIONBecause of the extremely climate change in recent years, the liquid perception of Taiwan becomes different with the collapse of mighty nature. To reflect the new perception and the possibilities of design, we provided an interactive experience of body and different view level.

The concept of this installation was inspired from the thought of water. We expressed the concern of the relations between liquid perception, urban space, and daily life. The images we used aimed to reflect the interactions between human and spaces, which were taken from the surroundings of Governor’s Residence in Tainan County. Our goal in this installation was to provide a new aspect to understand the place where we are.

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Experimental ImagesWe captured a variety of images and films about the liquid perception of Taiwan from the surroundings, such as the real urban space, the images of the city, the history of the city, and the changing information to represent the liquid perception.We also used a new observing way to take the images of Tainan, the ancient governor’s resident, and its surroundings to present the relationship between the history and people’s lives.

Recycled Plastic BottlesIn this project, we collected a large number of plastic bottles. The bottles are the containers of drinks or water we live with every day. Usually they are discarded right after the contents are gone. The variations repeat day after day. The bottles are seen as a representation of the essence of water and the variability.

ModuleThe main object of this installation was made by the recycled bottles and without other materials. Only the bottles itself and the caps were used in the fabrication. The bottle was vertically half cut from the top, and each part was locked with the same part of the other bottle by using a cap, which was actually penetrated into the bottom of the third bottle. It became an extendable structure in this way. And in order to make it stable, each component was propped with combined bottles inside and uncut bottles between four components.

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Transformed SpaceIn the end we had the light go through the structure formed by plastic bottles, and overlapped it with projections. The space was transformed into a sparkling space full of refraction and vibration of light to generate the dynamic and flowing perceptions and representations of water

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Kingsland Road Waste MarketIt is a very old market which used to be great but is run-down now. Its location is on the Kingsland Road between Dalston Junction and Haggerston Station. And there are several other markets surround in this area, selling foods, flowers, organic farm goods, clothing and vintages.As to Kingsland Road Waste Market, the stalls here are selling second-hand things (seen as its name).

WASTE?What is waste? A waste can be anything that you don’t need or you don’t want anymore. By helping one stall-owner to unload and look after the goods, we knew the dealing here is the stall-owners collect something abandoned and someone will come for these cheap bargains.From the interviews around the local area, we found most people love this market and even some said they came particularly for “treasure-hunting”, though some people said they don’t know this market.We thought of a famous idiom and made it as our main concept: “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” It shows the idea of changing the perspective then discovering the value.

Story Shapes Narrative and Interpretive Planning / MA CPNE / Oct. 2012[One Man’s Trash Is Another Man’s Treasure ]

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One Man’s TRASH ISanother Man’s TREASUREWe picked up several locations as the beginnings of the routes which could lead the audiences to the Kingsland Road Waste Market, such as Ridley Market, Haggerston Station, and Broadway Market. Each route has second-hand chairs as engaging function to invite local shoppers to follow the trail. On the trails, people could see some pieces of stories by changing their position while they are sitting on the chairs, which implies perspective shifting. After the journeys to the market, they will discover the hidden value of local community here and keep their treasure-hunting.

Meeting with CouncillorHowever, there are more and more regulation and restriction are set, such as expansive license and complicated processes. Those became the difficulties for this market to keep, not only the reducing shoppers. After those action researches and the experimental installations, we made an appointment to meet the councillor in order to understand more. From her advices, we learned that one reason of strict policies is the risk of illegality which is hard to prevent in second-hand trading. It seems to be the balance between original value and legality which is an issue hid behind.

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1 Encounter of street exhibit

Space/Significant points in surrounding area (Ridley Road Market, Hoxton Market, Columbia Road Flower Market, Broadway & Netil Market, Dalston Kingsland, Dalston Junction and Haggerston Station)

Content/2nd hand chair from market, with question painted on it

Point of View/The whole experience is presented through the perspective of ‘trash’ 2nd hand goods

Tone of Voice/Intriguing, waking interest, confronting, creative

Take Out/Questions: intellectual engagement with topic, feel of adventure + discovery

Deliverables/Street exhibit = prepared chair, + placing / fixing

2 Discovery trail

Space/Residential area surrounding site, from threshold to market.

Content/Trail + 2nd hand object acting as hints

Point of View/The whole experience is presented through the perspective of ‘trash’ 2nd hand goods

Tone of Voice/Teasing and thought provoking, mystical

Take Out/Feel of excitement, wanting to pursue further

3 Discovery trail cont. on market

Space/Kingsland Road Market: between the Haggerston & the Fox Pub on Kinsland Road, East Hackney. Run down waste market.

Content/Trail + 2nd hand chair from market, with more detail

Point of View/The whole experience is presented through the perspective of ‘trash’ 2nd hand goods

Tone of Voice/Revealing, but keeps feeling of curiosity

Take Out/Revelation, understanding of different levels of perception (trash can be treasure)

Deliverables/Trail + street exhibits (partly painted) + placing / fixing

Deliverables/Trail continued + more 2nd hand chairs (partly painted)+ placing / fixing

4 Community area installation

Space/On Kingsland Road Market, situated by the

only food stall, opposite The Haggerston pub. Open space between stalls.

Content/2nd hand chair from market,

with more detail arranged for community purpose

Point of View/The experience is presented

through the perspective of the market’s community

Tone of Voice/Friendly, open social, warm, fully

revealed

Take Out/Social engagement with

their local and the market community,

Full understanding of the market’s treasures (object

and community value)

Deliverables/2nd hand furniture (partly

painted) + placing / fixing

5 Exploration of market’s treasures & value

Space/Kingsland Road Market: between the

Haggerston & the Fox Pub on Kinsland Road, East Hackney. Run down waste market

Content/Existing market

Point of View/Personal point of view of

visitor who’s perspective on the market just changed

Tone of Voice/Encouraging to go on own

treasure hunt

Take Out/Their personal treasure,

found on the market

Deliverables/none (already existing on

market)

Am I trash?

Follow me!

Change of Perspective

Community = Real Treasure

Find your own treasure!

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Environments and human behaviour keep changing, same as the world does. How museums deliver messages has become one of the issues among future prediction. In this project, each group developed their future word and displayed the story of experiencing the future museum.

Technological Reliance, Advertising, and Women PositionFrom the research, we assumed the future world will be changes by those three divers. 20 years ago, computers became popular among people; internet well developed and digital world grew rapidly in the following ten years; while smart phone, virtual games, and online-shopping have bloomed recently, we assume in the future people rely on technology more deeply. Living space is filled with large screens, which replaces the function of work place. Hologram of human beings becomes very common. Furthermore, the technology makes new media of advertising widespread; cities are full of digital screens; information overload becomes a general issue; advertisement can be anytime, anywhere, even any form.Since “Salon” has been invented as women-hosting activities, women’s position started to rise. Women have had equal rights and opportunities in society while they invest more than men. In the future, women become much more independent and powerful, even have the dominant position.

The MUSEUM of the FUTURE PROJECT Collaborates with ARUP Foresight & Innovation / MA CPNE / Nov. 2012

[Step into Eternity ]

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The Wallace CollectionThe Wallace Collection originally is a family collection. Those art works are collected by the Wallace Family, from the first Marquess of Hertford to the son of the 4th Marquess, Sir Richard Wallace. The Wallace Collection was bequeathed to the British nation in 1897, and it opened to the public as a museum in 1900. And the Centenary Project created many new spaces and facilities in 2000.

PermanentDue to the terms of Lady Wallace’s bequest, the Wallace Collection is a closed collection, which means that nothing can be added to it or taken away. This character inspired us to consider the history and the stories of art works as a great value in this museum. The collections will not change while the world has developed so fast in the future.

ParticipatoryThe new attitudes toward collecting/exhibiting have been springing up recently. Audiences can be involved in the exhibition more than ever. Not only seeing and passing, the experiences of visiting have become more participable.The museum becomes more engaging while the “new collectors” could have their own digital interaction with the art works. By the technology of 3D hologram, visitors can join the “Salon” and have conversation with the characters who were portrayed in the paintings.

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Step into EternityThe role of the museum here is to provide a vivid experience of discovering the historical and artistic knowledge in a digital way, while the authentic values of the art works are still displayed without technology. The three drivers are interwoven in the story: an independent female character is attracted by the 3D hologram Salon in The Wallace Collection, who is always addicted to technology. Soon after, during a digital disaster she collapses and founds that she relies on technology too much. At last, by a conversation with an old woman who actually is a relative of Wallace Family and works in the museum, she realises the true values of those original art works.

1. It is the age of skyscrapers. It is the age of metal and glass. Computer screens are everywhere.

2. This is Leona and her virtual husband. Studying technology as her PHD, Leona believes technology can offer her everything, including feeling.

3. By virtual teacher’s recommend, she goes to Wallace Collection to experience the new technology innovation.

4. “Invite the characters from the paintings to be your guest! Use the glove to pick them out.”

5. Leona chooses the girl in the Swing, Madame de Pompadour, the Irish Marguerite Gardiner and the laughing cavalier.

6. In the Salon, Leona and the characters discuss the change of women position from the past to now. Thereafter, Leona comves here quite often. She loves how technology is playing a big role in the museum but does not quite care about the collection itself.

armour room has been neglected while people are indulged in the beautiful paintings.

10. After that conversation, Leona tries to figure out the balance of the use of technology.

11. When she goes to the museum and wants to chat with the old woman, she finds the old woman has left. The old woman only leaves a key and a note, hoping Leona can make the forgotten value back.

7. With no sign, the computer system of the whole city breaks down unexpectedly. The whole city appears panic and is covered with the coldness of metal and glass.

8. Leona goes to the museum and meets the old woman. 9. The old woman talks about her purpose to invent the glove device

and set the salon is to let people experience the energetic discussion atmosphere. “Everyone can have different interpretation from an object. But it is important to know the real story behind.” She also mentions the

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REC Alternative Space & Curating

This was a team formed by seven architecture a n d i n d u s t r i a l d e s i g n s t u d e n t s . W e transformed an abandoned two-story house into an alternative space. To experiment our architectural thinking and design enthusiasm, we involved varied events and worked with people with different background, such as product designers, fashion designers, classical musicians, young local artists, architects, and independent music bands.

At the same time, its own character of this house featured largely in each exhibition/event. For example, in “WWR x REC” the four musicians of a band was split into different spaces including two floors in the house. Due to the openness and interlaced spaces, the stage was the house itself . Audiences could feast their senses on the performance which totally surrounded while they walked through the spaces “within the band.”In addition to my role as a graphic designer in this team, I was involved as an artist in exhibitions as well.

EDUCATION

University of the Arts LondonCentral Saint Martins College of Arts and DesignMA Creative Practice for Narrative Environments

2012 - presentLondon, UK

National Cheng-Kung UniversityCollege of Planning and DesignBC Architecture

2005 - 2009Tainan, Taiwan

INTEREST

Photography, Painting, Music, Travel

PROFILE

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture in Taiwan, SZU-AN YU worked as a Spatial Designer.

To expand her enthusiasm in multi-disciplinary design, she worked on several exhibition and installation works. As a teaching assistant in the architectural department at National Cheng Kung University, she was involved in an installation work using recycled materials to create a spatial and visual experience. She also works on the REC Alternative Space & Curating as a Graphic Designer, collaborating with people from different areas such as art, design and music. She worked with other members to organise various activities and exhibitions to explore their architectural thinking on multi-disciplinary design.

Now as a graduate student in MA Creative Practice for Narrative Environments, she is continuing to explore the possibilities of her own practice in a spatial and visual way.

SZU AN YU

/ OTHER EXPERIENCE

Côte à Côte Café + GalleryService Stewardess KYLEYU Photography StudioAssistant

WORK

REC Alternative Space & CuratingGraphic Designer

Department of Architecture, NCKUProject Assistant / Teaching Assistant

SHENG-YUAN, HUANG + FIELD OFFICEArchitecture Intern

/ EXHIBITION

“ WWR x REC “ “ Concept City ““ My Dear Crocodile ““ REC – RECord, REConstruct, RECode ”Exhibitions of REC

“ Liquid Perception of Governor’s Residence ” Resident Artists Program in Governor’s residence in Tainan County

/ WORKSHOP & COMPETITION

The Venice Biennial, 13th International Architecture Exhibition, Taiwan PavilionFinal List

Advanced Cinemetrics : Generating Space Form, Movement & Time Images in Hong-KongInternational Workshop

Cinemetrics in Hong-KongInternational Workshop

INTA, Idea for Action Kaohsiung, dynamic eco-patchHonorable Mention

Aug 2011 – Jun 2012Tainan, Taiwan

Nov 2010 – Dec 2010Tainan, Taiwan

Aug 2011 – Aug 2012Tainan, Taiwan

Sep 2010 – July 2011Tainan, Taiwan

Feb 2010 – Aug 2010Taipei, Taiwan

Dec 2009 – Jan 2010Taipei, Taiwan

July 2008 – Aug 2008Yilan, Taiwan

Nov 2011Taiwan

Mar 2011HK

Oct 2009Taiwan

Mar 2009HK