30 September 2011
Week one has been both daunting and inspirational. Daunting in the sense that we are expected to contribute intelligent dialogue during lectures/seminars and produce a much more accomplished piece then submitted in our third year dissertation. However, it is inspiring to think that I am now one of those people pursuing a research masters, one of those people I would have counted as intelligent…
I am currently studying the Masters (by research) Architecture as a full time course, and have a few ideas of themes and subjects I would like to pursue, however a recent job offer may have thrown this up in the air and I am quite unsure about where I will be this time next year.
My third year dissertation was something I enjoyed thoroughly, and the subject areas of identity, culture, heritage and tourism all still fascinate me, although a lot has changed for me since the completion of that piece. I feel like there is a lot more to the world/my interests then just Ireland, having lived abroad in Peru, and experienced various things my outlook has broadened. Perhaps this is indeed an evolutionary step backwards from my last written piece, but I think that pursuing the Irelandland theme is not something that is going to make up a large chunk of text of my work this year, but will probably creep in at some stage. However, the recent surge in mass travel and the availability and relative price of flights to more exotic locations such as South America and South East Asia is a phenomenon that has multiplied ten fold* in the last 20-50 years…The introduction of tarmac roads and Coca-Cola have been visible evidence of the spread of globalization…
What I have in mind at the moment is a concept based on the idea of ‘The Road.’ Looking at the road that cuts into the heart of the Peruvian Amazon jungle and its effects on the vernacular. As the road started to penetrate the previously untouched jungle and indigenous peoples it brought with it the wealth and unhealth that comes with westernization. Corrigated iron replaces adobe dwellings, coca-cola replaces spring water and deep unrest replaces natural tranquility. As one progresses down the road, it can viewed as a time-line; the next village on being slightly “behind” or “primitive” in comparison to the previous village, and so forth until the road gives way to a winding path in the dense jungle….the effects of this ‘westernization’ can be viewed by taking information and observing the different villages/tribes and their habits, culture, diet, health, wealth, happiness, politics and architecture……big ideas!!
However, I don't think I should leave behind all the cultural tourism research I have done to solely look at this developing/capitalism based study, in fact, I have a feeling I am not going to formulate my ideal question for my piece until I have read a lot more...a lot more! I'm guessing/hoping my interests will start to hone in and develop as time and texts pass...hopefully.
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