Int Studio 2: Interview

From Picture #1

Interviewee #1

What would be one thing you change or add to the neighborhood?

God, there are so many things... if there is one thing that needs to be changed that is our neighborhood needs to be cleaner. 

What do you think the idea of building an outdoor basketball court in Bushwick?

It's great. We love watching people play.

Interviewee #2

What would be one thing you change or add to the neighborhood?

The noise level is too loud.

What do you think the idea of building an outdoor basketball court in Bushwick?

Well, I don't know... Why not on Bedford Ave?

Interviewee #3

What would be one thing you change or add to the neighborhood?

More retailers, please.

What do you think the idea of building an outdoor basketball court in Bushwick?

If you can't make money out of it then don't do it.

Interviewee #4

What would be one thing you change or add to the neighborhood?

Nothing. I like it just fine.

What do you think the idea of building an outdoor basketball court in Bushwick?

Not if you want to bring trouble to my neighborhood.

Interviewee #5

What would be one thing you change or add to the neighborhood?

Less gentrification.

What do you think the idea of building an outdoor basketball court in Bushwick?

Just don't bring more rich hooligans.

Interviewee #6

What would be one thing you change or add to the neighborhood?

Nothing.

What do you think the idea of building an outdoor basketball court in Bushwick?

It better be next to a grocery store.

Interviewee #7

What would be one thing you change or add to the neighborhood?

A Chipotle please?

What do you think the idea of building an outdoor basketball court in Bushwick?

If it comes with a loud speaker then I'd be down.

Interviewee #8

What would be one thing you change or add to the neighborhood?

More big events.

What do you think the idea of building an outdoor basketball court in Bushwick?

It would be sweet if they get the Nets to play some showcase...they are doing a great job in the playoff, don't you think?

Interviewee #9

What would be one thing you change or add to the neighborhood?

A Chinese restaurant?

What do you think the idea of building an outdoor basketball court in Bushwick?

Hmmm... I ain't into basketball but I think it'll be great.

Interviewee #10

What would be one thing you change or add to the neighborhood?

Some sample/overstock sale?

What do you think the idea of building an outdoor basketball court in Bushwick?

It might be a good idea to collaborate with some fashion brands. NBA players know how to dress better than they used to, right?

From Picture #2

Interviewee #11

What would be one thing you change or add to the neighborhood?

A Footlocker.

What do you think the idea of building an outdoor basketball court in Bushwick?

Yo that'll be dope! Imma cop some fresh sneakers then play ball.

Interviewee #12

What would be one thing you change or add to the neighborhood?

Cheaper parking fee...

What do you think the idea of building an outdoor basketball court in Bushwick?

Damn, if there'll be one then I be sh*ting on them young ni**as all day man! In my J's tho.

Interviewee #13

What would be one thing you change or add to the neighborhood?

More police.

What do you think the idea of building an outdoor basketball court in Bushwick?

I'm not into sports so I'd say no.

Interviewee #14

What would be one thing you change or add to the neighborhood?

People getting together? 

What do you think the idea of building an outdoor basketball court in Bushwick?

That will be great.

Interviewee #15

What would be one thing you change or add to the neighborhood?

Please get the Urban Outfitter store out of here.

What do you think the idea of building an outdoor basketball court in Bushwick?

Ah, I don't know. Wasn't Michael Jordan born in Brooklyn?

Int Seminar 2: Research Update #3

For this week, I am going to read For the common good: Measuring residents’ efforts to protect their community from drug- and sex-related harm by Pedro Mateu-Gelabert, Melissa Bolyard, Carey Maslow, Milagros Sandoval, Peter L Flom, Samuel R Friedman. 

However, I do have a question: How can we carry out a successful interview without bothering the interviewee? 

Int Seminar 2: Research Update #2

After last week's reading and class, I have come up with the outline of my research: 

1: Introduction & Main Argument

I will write the introduction by relating to some of the famous street basketball courts in 

New York City and then states that the site I chose can also be rebuilt into a street basketball court. 

2: Argument #1

A basketball court in a community can bring the neighborhood and people from other places together.

I will then use the readings and my personal anecdotes to support this argument.
3: Argument #2

The neighborhood (Bushwick, which is mainly a Hispanic community) has deep relationship with basketball. 

First, I will use the demographic data of Bushwick to state that the neighborhood is mainly 

Hispanic people. Then, by going through the readings and archives (and maybe some personal anecdotes), I will show people the deep relationship between Hispanic people and basketball.

4: Argument #3

A basketball court will not bring gentrification to the neighborhood. 

The most talked about topic within this whole assignment is gentrification. In this section, I will go through some examples about gentrification. 

5: Conclusion


The parking lot on Bushwick Ave & Stagg St should be rebuilt/reorganized into a street basketball court.  

Int Seminar 2: Research Status Update #1

For this week, I read the report (http://furmancenter.org/files/204.pdf ) on the demographic information in Bushwick. I am more than certain that my project (basketball court) should connect people and focus on Hispanic neighborhoods. 

Int Studio 2: Creative Time Art Installation

Alice Creischer, Andreas Siekmann, Ex Argentina

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA

I like this set of installation because it is somehow related to store display and minimalism (I assume). The distance between each clothes hanger is close enough to make people think that they are from the same collection and far enough so that they do not block each other. In the second picture, the layout is clean and cozy, creating great viewer experience. 

Int Sem 2: Archivist Lecture Review

Last class, an archivist called Jenny introduced some basic concepts and ground rules to the class. She asked us some questions on our understandings of archiving. Next, we were told to clean our area and use wet tissue to whip our hands. Jenny took out several different archives: yearbook, photo album, diary and video.

We were divided into groups to research those archives. A photo album about department store windows was assigned to our group. I, Alana and Taylor analyzed the album by looking through every corner of each photo. I found out that the photos were taken (which means the window was changed) every week. As I went back through the calendar on my iPhone, I noticed that the photos were all taken on Tuesdays. At first, I did not know why. After doing some research, I knew that Tuesdays are big days in retail market. Where new PC games will be released (like the Game of The Year candidate Batman: Arkham Knight will be released on 10/14/2014) and retailers will put out their new arrivals (MrPorter.com, for example).

The most surprising moment is that Jenny said I was the first one to find out the windows were rearranged every Tuesdays.

In conclusion and in my opinion, a good archive should take readers back to the time when the archive was made. Even the scent on its paper or media can take people back. 

Int Studio 2: 3/10 Reading

History of a building:

1. Why did the 1911 mortagage took 52 years to pay off? 
2. What caused the building to raise in price at an alarming rate ($36,000-$152,000) from May 29,1985 to October 22,1985?

South Bronx and Casitas

1. What caused the drug dealing in South Bronx?
2. Why did Casita united people?

Along The L Field Trip: Bushwick

I chosed this very empty lot on Bushwick Avenue (Bushwick & Stagg Street). Here are some views of this empty lot.

https://drive.google.com/a/newschool.edu/file/d/0B_8Azb4dPY63Z3VxbDR3OVlEa1k/edit?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/a/newschool.edu/file/d/0B_8Azb4dPY63cF80a1Z5VEEtTjA/edit?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/a/newschool.edu/file/d/0B_8Azb4dPY63SllOQUNqLVlIMFk/edit?usp=sharing

Int Sem 2: ICW 2.2---Psychological Maps Blog Post

Psychological Maps of Beijing (within the 4^th ring)

I was born in Haidian District, spent my childhood in Xicheng District. During the winter vacation of my 9^th grade, I moved to Haidian again next to my old neighborhood.

My primary school was near my home in Xicheng (and I live next door to my grandfather and grandmother, how does that sound?). My junior high school was a 10-15 minute drive from my Xicheng joint. I often take subway and bus transit after school. After I moved to Haidian, it took about 20-30 minutes to go to school.

High school was different from all previous school life. My high school locates in the center of The School Area (like the University Place in Manhattan), and it was the best high school in Haidian District.

As you may discovered, I have never lived in the eastern part of Beijing. However, I frequently visit places like Sanlitun for entertainment. As for the west side, I hang with my high school friends in Wudaokou, which is considered to be the inferior version of Sanlitun.

After I am here in New York, I noticed that the city was arranged in a grid, which proved to be fool-proof (well I lost my way the second day in New York…). However, the subway fare in Beijing is way cheaper than it is in New York--- 2 RMB for unlimited stops in one go. That is, if you get out of a subway station, you will have to pay 2 RMB again. If you are always below ground, even for multiple transits, there are no extra charges. 

All of my school memories are with the subway. So my map is based on the main subway lines within the 4th ring of Beijing. 

Int Studio 2 Reading Assignment: Questions for 3/3 Reading

Theaster Gates, New Yorker:

1 Does every reconstruction of an abandoned site to something attracting to look at causes gentrification in that area?

2 What does "hustling in the art world" mean? Is there a bar set for public arts?


The Creek That Connects It All:

1 Is it suitable for small local community to have a landmark or new scenery site?

2 What does a public site or public art have to do to compliment the area it is in?  

Int Sem 2: ICW 2.1---Environment Behaviour Research

I used to have Integrative Seminar 1: Avatar on the 7^th floor of the 6 E 16 building. However, with the Zeisel reading in mind, I revisited it last Thursday. I have to say, it was a quite a different experience.

My visit took place during the class hour, where the common area and hallway are almost empty.

By-products of use

·         Erosion: Recycling. Recycling is a big issue in The New School since all trash cans have signs on them. However, not all the recycles were in the right place.

·         Leftovers: Messy chairs. Students like me come to class very early so they will have to sit outside and wait for their class to begin. After their doors are opened, they tend to forget the chair they were sitting on.

·         Missing Traces: Stairs. When the elevator on the lobby level gets too crowded, people turn to stairs inside. The stairs can be only accessed inside the building, which leaves people that are in hurry no choice but to slam the door hard to get attention so that someone will open the door for them.

Adaptations of use:

·         Props: Signs, chairs and tables. These are the most common objects in a school building.

·         Separations: Different areas, classroom size. There are different areas on the 7^th floor which I would rather not focus on listing. But, different classroom sizes are the real separations between different areas.

·         Connections: Aisle, signs. Aisle is like a highway, whereas signs tells you which exit you should drive towards.

Displays of Self:

·         Personalization: Private area. There are no actual private areas in the building. However, if used with skills, some public areas can be private areas as well.

·         Identification: Signs, designs.

·         Group Membership: classrooms, common areas, elevator

Public Messages:

·         Official: School Information. Usually they are posted in the lobby or where everyone can see.

·         Unofficial: Activities and groups. Student workshops or groups will post their information on billboards within different buildings.

·         Illegitimate: Classroom walls & tables, restrooms.

A person:

·         Actor: A female student

·         Act: Sits in common areas

·         With whom: no one

·         Context: no class or class over

Int Studio ICW: Strange Object Blog Post

Name:

The Furry Broken Harp

How did I find it?

One day a rat tried to eat my lovely little harp, it got stuck within the strings. Then, I put my gloves on and pulled it out. The rat was killed and part of its fur left on my harp. So, I decided to transform my little harp into a mousetrap to kill more mice.

Function:

First, the fur on the harp delivers a scent to attract one mouse at a time. As the mouse comes, the metal line holds the mouse back. If it tries to break through the lines, part of its fur will be damaged and get trapped. I will then collect its body and execute it. 

Int Studio 2: Along The L Blog Post

Even after about one and half semester here at Parsons, I have seldomly been to areas other than Manhattan. When people say the word "New York", they actually mean "Manhattan", but not other areas.  he only few times that I have been outside of Manhattan was one Brooklyn Net game at the Barclays Center, and several subway rides to JFK airport to pick up some friends. After a virtual road trip along the L train, which were mainly in Brooklyn, I felt how little I know about New York. 

There are way more spaces in Brooklyn than it is in Manhattan. The buildings on Google 3D (actually, more of a 2.5D) maps are relatively blurry, some are still under construction. However, the 3D maps were made about 3 years ago. So it is reasonable to see some construction going on (construction has been going on since forever...). 

The most empty lots are around Graham Avenue and Bushwick Avenue. It felt more like most part of the USA, where there are plenty of space and not so many cars. I almost felt like places like Graham Avenue and Bushwick Avenue takes me back to Los Angeles when I visited there during the winter break. However, the price of parking and a pack of cigaratte is still about 3 times higher than it is in California. 

As for green spaces, they looks pretty green. I am more than certain that the green seen on Google 3D maps are the kind of green in Spring. 

In conclusion, I am looking forward to the field trips to Brooklyn and explore New York City. 

In Class Writing 1.3: Common Household Objects Research

Object: Lamp

Questions:

1.      How does a light bulb (main components) work?

2.     What are the components that forms a good user experience for a lamp?

3.     The design history of a lamp?

4.     How does a good lamp design affects people?

5.     Does the placement of a lamp matters?

Bibliography

1. Harris, Tom. "HowStuffWorks "How Light Bulbs Work"." HowStuffWorks. Last modified March, http://home.howstuffworks.com/light-bulb.htm.

This short article explained how a light bulb works by explaining from a small scale to a large scale. Then, the author introduces some lighting basics. Finally, a video to illustrate how a light bulb works. (This answers questions 1 & 3)

2. Rubenstein, Ben, Zack, Sondra C, Versageek , and 19 others. "6 Ways to Choose the Right Lighting for Each Room." wikiHow. Last modified May, http://www.wikihow.com/Choose-the-Right-Lighting-for-Each-Room.

In this short guide, the authors gives detailed information on how to use lighting to create a better environment by suggesting different method and places such as:

·       

      Foyer, Halls, and Stairways

·        Living Area

·        Dining Room

·        Kitchen

·        Bath and Vanity

·        Exterior Lighting

(This answers questions 2 & 5)

Objectives:

I think this research could go really far. Lighting is used every day, from common households to large concerts. I would like to know the relationship between the design, placement of lamps and interior design.

The reason I think this topic is interesting is because I have two lamps that are practically the same in my room, one for reading and the other one is a bed light. Just because they are placed differently makes their function different. So I figured, is there any way to make lighting multi-functional? That would save us not only energy but also space. 

Int Seminar 2 In Class Writing 2 Blog Post

Our group investigated the Whole Foods Market at Union Square. I have been to two Whole Foods, one was this one, and the other one was at East Houston Street. I had to say, this one was relatively crowded because Union Square is a main transfer station and a site at downtown Manhattan. After reading the Hiss and the Underhill articles, it really helped me to understand a space, especially crowded space like Manhattan.

Not before entering the Whole Foods Market, one of the things that we all agreed was the entrance was somehow confusing. Although there is a small sign that shows the exit is “not an entrance” (duh!), people that goes inside can be trapped by this inconvenient design. As soon as we walked inside, my brain began to process and receive different information about this place, although it was not the first time that I was here. The first thing that showed up was some fancy juices and artesian water. Then the bread and bakery products. It makes sense because people can easily get through a meal with some bread and water or ever juice.

Next, some promotion products came to our sight. I remembered it was coconut water, and I remembered it because one of my friends told me this particular coconut water (100% Raw Coconut Water), that are regularly $4.99 for 500ml that is now $1.99 for 200ml in a smaller size. There was also a sign that was medium sized to promote it. Without further calculation, this seems like a pretty great deal. However, if we dig a little bit deeper, everything becomes clear---it was not a great deal. Signs like that will create an illusion for customers that they will purchase it. Sadly, there was quite an amount of people who really thought it is worth it.

As I walked to the escalator, there is a boiled food section, which was a major reason people, or at least my friend and classmate David come here---to eat some fresh but delicious food. After I took the escalator to go downstairs, something was just off, or very different from the first floor. Perhaps this is the “Simultaneous Perception” that Hiss wrote about. As for design aspect, the first floor was more like an actual market, whereas the underground floor looks like a supermarket, where everything is on the shelves. As a pass through the pharmacy section, there was an artificial scent like smoke mixed with perfume that really annoyed me.

When I tried to take the escalator to go upstairs, I had some trouble finding it. In my opinion, the two escalator should be parallel. After I got to the second floor, the simultaneous perception factor was restarted. In comparison to the dining area at East Houston Street, this one is smaller in size, but more reasonable in its layout. There are areas for to-go customers who just need to finish their food and get lost, and there are also areas for proper dining featuring long tables.

The Hiss and Underhill reading truly helped me with my perception in a space. I wish to explore more open areas such as Times Square or some boutiques such as Barneys or Bergdorf Goodman. 

Art In Transit Video

http://vimeo.com/86262837

Integrative Studio 2 Blog Assignment: Grand Central Scavenger Hunt

This Monday, Professor Jensen took the class to Grand Central for a scavenger hunt. The experience was quite interesting. In class that day, we were given insightful talks on Guastiavino designed vaulted ceilings. Here is the one that I found in Grand Central: 

After we got inside of the MetLife building, we saw a beautiful compass rose:

Grand Central is a train station, so there are many clocks inside,such as (one on each side, four sides total, two different sets of clocks):

I found this escalator that is now no longer used: 

Some of the artworks were also interesting, such as the carved dragon and bi-plane:

Unfortunately, my sign was not on the ceiling.

The best selfie spot would be a cake shop:

The best dressed passerby was wearing a classic suit 3 piece with a long coat. Sadly, I did not get a chance to take a photo of him.

Here's some marks of wear and tear:

Something I would change is that, there should be less shops.

The statue:

The transit museum: 

People were talking French and Spainish during our snippets collection.

A guy looked totally lost. I watched him walking like particles doing random movement.

I said "Hey, how are you?" to my friend at the whisper chamber and he did not hear me. 

The foods were really great, the way their store was set up looked interesting.

Cupcake from Magnolia Bakery: