As an Engineer, MA Architecture student, and soon to be a Spatial Practitioner, I am constantly challenged to think beyond conventional boundaries and explore the relationships between humans and their environment. Valuing the user experience.
Recently, I wa tasked - along with my classmates - to take in the action known as "The Stick" – as part of our Situational Ecology, an MA Arch module at the University of Portsmouth, UK.
The stick is an exercise that pushed me to reconsider the mundane perception of everyday objects and how we -as humans- interact with space.
Figure 01 : The stick dimensions (180 x 2 x 2) cm, Illustrated and owned by author 2024
"The Stick" action prompts us to understand the agency and performativity showcased in a seemingly ordinary object – a wooden stick, 180 cm long and 2 cm x 2 cm section. Armed with this simple tool, I started my ten-day journey, documenting my experiences, reflections, and interactions with the stick.
At first I was wondering how to start this task because the stick seemed insignificant, but through this exercise, I realized its transformative potential. As I carried it with me throughout my daily routine, I began to notice how it extended my body and facilitated new ways of interacting with my surroundings. Whether walking up stairs, holding doors, or simply pushing elevator button, the stick became a conduit for exploration and discovery.
Figure 02 Experimenting with the stick around the library and accommodation, By author, January 2024.
We discussed the concept of spatial notation in such spirit as musical notations - that indicates an instrument's location relative to the listener. (Locus - Spatial Music Notation, n.d.) and as such -the idea that objects, like the stick, can challenge normed uses of space and empower individuals to shape their environment and direct the user.
By actively engaging with the stick, I found myself taking new paths, waiting for passers to go through, and thinking of "parking" spots for my stick during classes.
On the first day, I managed to only hit 2 innocent people. I chipped it by day 3 making it my splinter staff and I thought of changing it and personalising it to be mine. Somehow even though I didn't change its appearance, I began to engage with it differently. I felt superior in someway channelling Poseidon's trident in essence.
My reflections on "The Stick" have underscored the interconnectedness between humans and their material environment. Through our collaboration, the stick became more than just a physical object – it became a spark for creativity, agency, and self-expression.
In conclusion, "The Stick" action has been a transformative experience, allowing me to delve deeper into the complexities of spatial design and the role of everyday objects in shaping our lived experience. I look forward to applying the insights gained from this exercise to my future projects and endeavors in architecture.
Stay tuned for more reflections and insights as I continue to explore the dynamic intersection of design, creativity, and human experience in our Spatial Practices: Situated Ecologies Module.
REFERENCES
Alentexas. (n.d.). Stencil de tatuagem / projeto tattoo tridente | Trident tattoo, Simple arm tattoos, Posiden tattoo design. Pinterest. Retrieved April 8, 2024, from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/542261611387239825/
Locus - Spatial Music Notation. (n.d.). Maku XR. Retrieved April 8, 2024, from https://www.makuxr.com/blog/locus-spatial-music-notation#:~:text=Spatial%20Notation
Fabrizi, M., & Lucarelli, F. (2011, November 23). Measuring space | Abitare | Dancing drawings, Art, Drawings. Pinterest. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/measuring-space--297519119115040446/
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