Description
This seminar will explore concepts and representational techniques associated with formalism and archaeology through a close study of some dolmens, or rude stone monuments. These megalithic formations offer a proto-architectural form for studying representational techniques of measurement, regulatory geometry, annotation, line work, and shade & shadow. Readings of theories related to formal analysis in architecture will form the basis of all drawing exercises that will focus on establishing a syntactic system to describe a set of otherwise opaque objects.
The dolmens are composed of rather large flat stones supported on top of two or more upright ones at times defining a vague interior. Students will first analyze the individual masses from touristic photographs and archaeological surveys employing techniques of measurement and modeling. They will then develop couplets or triplets of such formations, carefully identifying the posture and inclination of both ? the load bearing vertical