ESSAY

Instruction: "A 450 word (in total) statement discussing why you want to study architecture at MSA; your own review of a recent exhibition or building that you have visited; a statement about your favourite architect or building; and a work of architecture which you would like to experience in person. "

450/450 WORDS

Studying Architecture at MSA means that I will be enrolling on a course that is overseen by two great institutions – isn’t this a special advantage, impossible to find elsewhere? With this unique milieu in mind, my years there would be shaped gaining the experiences and expertise of both universities; assimilating within the cultures whilst enabled access to resources and facilities from both institutions. I believe that it further extends into opportunities for students like me to be involved in positive developmental research. I would also like to mention that I admire and desire the structure and approach of the course that revolves around equipping me with visual awareness, creative skillsets and technical abilities. After all, my ultimate ambition is to become an architect. Studying in a city with rich tradition and historic context of architecture will perfectly suit me – not to mention how vibrantly modern and exciting Manchester is; rendering my adaptation effortless. Lastly, I am a huge football fan, so being in the vicinity of two of the best teams in England will do me well!

A review of an exhibition – “Scenes for a New Heritage: Contemporary Art from the Collection.” November 2015 at MoMA, New York. The exhibition is a selection of works by various international artists that focuses on the contemporary global ‘scenery’ that struggles against collective amnesia of the past events. The artists combat this through projects of remembrance and commemoration; thought-provoking works like “Scene for a New Heritage” by David Maljkovic or experiences like Feng Mengbo’s “Long March: Restart” which features an interactive video game installation, were captivating (and fun). But one that stood out the most was Rirkrit Tiravanija’s “The Days of this Society is Numbered”, a collage of Thai newspaper pages printed on the eighty-fifth birthday party of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The title of the piece is stenciled in as an ironic comment on the king’s health (and consequently, Thailand’s future) in light of recent excessive public celebrations that marks the birthday. Overall, the exhibition was a fantastic experience on a personal level - it helped viewers realize their current places due to the events of the past; commemoration really is powerful.

Favorite architect – Frank Lloyd Wright (“Him again?” might’ve popped in your mind, but it’s okay. He really is my favorite). I deeply admire his ‘Organic Architecture’ philosophy that aims to integrate human populated areas with its surrounding natural environment. His best work? Fallingwater house (honorable mention to Johnson Wax Headquarters).

Work of Architecture – Memory Matrix Installation by MIT Architecture. Not really a ‘building’ in the traditional sense, but rather, a living monument. The Matrix intends to ‘preserve’ monuments across the globe that have been destroyed by conflict, through commemoration - literally.