Of
the
thesis
entitled:ÌýDreamingÌýSpace:ÌýExploring
the
Transformative
Power
ofÌýImmersive
Art
and
Architecture
Abstract:
TheÌýrole
of
art
is
to
transform
our
experience
of
reality.
This
process
oftenÌýinvolves
a
quality
of
rupture;
of
breaking
through
the
boundaries
of
ourÌýhabitual,
conditioned
modes
of
perception
in
order
to
experience
new
andÌýunexpectedÌýsensations.[1]ÌýÌýGilles
Deleuze
and
Felix
Guattari
write
thatÌýarchitecture
is
the
first
of
the
arts.
Art
does
not
begin
with
the
body
butÌýwith
the
house;
with
the
experience
of
space
and
light,
and
the
constructedÌýenvironments
which
mediateÌýbetween
our
bodies
and
forces
of
the
universe.[2]
Ìý
ThisÌýthesis
follows
the
physical
and
affective
journey
of
a
group
of
artists
overÌýmany
years.
This
journey
involves
challenging
forces
of
social
and
culturalÌýconditioning;
breaking
through
boundaries
of
fear
and
habit,
as
well
asÌýartisticÌýand
architectural
convention.
We
have
a
need
to
explore
aestheticsÌýwithout
limitation.
Ìý
TheÌýdreaming
spaceÌýwhere
thisÌýjourney
is
taking
place
is
a
studio
on
a
property
in
my
hometown,
Sarnia,ÌýOntario.
This
is
where
I
live
and
work
with
my
uncle/mentor,
and
threeÌýcompanions.
Both
the
studio
and
the
experience
of
theÌýparticipants
are
in
aÌýcontinuous
state
of
transformation.
The
space
has
become
an
ever-evolvingÌýimmersive
collage
of
paintings,
sculptures,
architectural
constructions,Ìýmirrors,
video,
projections,
and
compositions
of
magical
objects.ÌýThe
expansive,Ìýdark,
earthen,
dream-like
quality
of
the
space
is
immediately
affecting.
It
isÌýa
place
for
dreaming
and
composing;
for
channeling
visions
and
exploringÌýaltered
states
of
sensory
awareness.
We
are
exploring
theÌýpossibilities
of
whatÌýart
and
architecture
can
do:
specifically,
how
it
can
facilitate
sensorialÌýencounters
which
transform
our
experience
of
reality.
Ìý
ThisÌýthesis
takes
the
form
of
a
series
of
reflections
on
thisÌýdreaming
space.
It
has
a
personalÌýhistory
with
a
cultural
context.
It
has
caves,
grottos,
and
tunnels;Ìýever-changing
compositions
and
installations,
surrounded
by
the
underworldÌýandÌýbuilt
up
over
time.
Within
the
dreaming
space
we
are
continuously
exploring
theÌýincredible
possibilities
of
the
transformative
power
of
art
and
architecture.
[1]ÌýO’Sullivan,
Simon.
ArtÌýEncounters
Deleuze
and
Guattari:ÌýThought
beyondÌýRepresentation.
2006.
p.
1
[2]ÌýDeleuze,
Gilles,
and
Félix
Guattari.
What
IsÌýPhilosophy?Ìý1994.
p.
180,
182,Ìý186
The examining committee is as follows:
Supervisor:
DereckÌýRevington,ÌýUniversity of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ
CommitteeÌýMembers:
John McMinn, University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ
RobertÌýJan van Pelt, University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵÌý Ìý ÌýÌý
External Reader:
Jonathan Tyrrell
The
committee
has
been
approved
as
authorized
by
the
Graduate
Studies
Committee.
The
Defence
Examination
will
take
place:
Ìý
Thursday
JulyÌý27,
2017
Ìý
Ìý
Ìý
Ìý
Ìý
Ìý
Ìý
Ìý
3:00
PMÌýÌýÌý
Ìý
Ìý
Ìý
Ìý
Ìý
Ìý
BRIDGE
Centre
for
Architecture
+
Design
A
copy
of
the
thesis
is
available
for
perusal
in
ARC
2106A.