Post Pandemic Performances
Registration is now closed.
Post Pandemic Performances
Gatherings in the times of Social Distancing
(Fundraiser for COVID-19 Relief Fund)
Introduction:
Humankind has witnessed several historic, life-changing episodes such as industrialisation, colonisation and wars, and society has always adapted to such significant milestones fruitfully. Over the years architecture too, has been a witness to the very same happenings, and has shaped itself accordingly to suit the times.
While most such events are read and studied about, the ongoing pandemic is a rather unprecedented one.
The future of architecture and the notion of a city too are standing at crossroads. The notion of the city and ‘city-life’ revolves closely around the act of gathering, and the possibilities that come with meeting, living and sharing lives with ‘strangers’. How will the city function if this very function was to change completely? This pandemic though alarming, brings with itself an aperture to redefine architecture and the very experience of cities and its spaces.
The future is now.
We at Project Platypus introduce a spatial design competition, which will touch upon our experiences, cravings and learnings from a times when the world has come to a standstill. Since ideas are not bound by professions, we invite ‘creatives’ across all fields to collaborate and come up with design and space making solutions that affect us all. We encourage a fresh perspective, and a direct engagement with an exercise as the designer, architect and as someone who experiences their spatial environment on an everyday basis.
Background:
The span of the lockdown and social distancing is currently indefinite, and the possibility of this happening again is uncertain. It is only wise then, to create and work towards a system, that is conducive to the lifestyle during times like these.
The performing arts industry thrives largely on live physical interaction for the ecstatic passion of artistic experience. Watching your favourite musician live is unquestionably much more valuable an experience compared to watching a 4K video of a concert. Spatial surroundings affect emotions. This overwhelming experience is the raison d’être of an artist as well as the audience. Through history, this very art has been the source of solace to humankind through the merriest and darkest of times alike.
Lately, the performing arts industry has taken a backseat, and may take a long while to spring back to normalcy. An important source of passion and recreation in our lives, the performing arts have now been limited to our screens. Experiences which were defined by their ambience, surroundings, interaction and space, are not exclusive anymore. They are almost immediately interchangeable, with the option of moving from a dance recital, to a concert, to a museum, each with a single tap on the screen.
Eventually, if social distancing were to become a norm, could we explore the possibility of creating artistic experiences without risking our safety, and respecting health guidelines?
Could architecture and design facilitate dedicated artistic experiences that allow for a true connect with the art-forms in times like these?
Brief:
We are now looking at a world where social distancing is the norm. And like we always have, it is time to assess, evolve and adapt. Through this competition we want to imagine and design the future of performing arts’ experience.
Participants of the competition are invited to design a physical space which respects safety guidelines for a social gathering of not less than 10 (could be in 100s or 1000s!) For us to understand your response to the context and program, the choice of site for the intervention must be made from the below options. The categories of environments that participants can choose from are as follows (scales within these categories can be chosen by the participants) :
While the choice of scale of the audience and environment can be decided by the participants, all members in the audience need to have a visual, auricular (audio) access to the performer. The proposed designs must allow for an immersive spatial and sensorial experience for both the audience and the performer (present in the same physical space). This could be achieved by architectural resolution, conceptual design, through secondary function in an existing space–or a combination of all these, and the participants have full liberty in the approach they would like to take in order to reach the goal.
Social distancing guidelines with respect to this competition have been mentioned towards the end of this brief.
How to register?
This competition is not for profit. Registrations can be made through donations to any one of the listed NGOs or organisations working towards providing relief to the people in need during the pandemic.
Donations for registration:
Minimum amount: $15 (₹1000)
Suggested amount: $25 (₹2000)
Upload a screenshot of the donation to register:
Format:
Graphics Size : A3 (29.7 x 42.0 cm) Resolution : 300 dpi Format : pdf Title & Write Up : A4 plain text pdf
Submission Details:
This competition is open to people from all backgrounds.
- One Conceptual Graphic: to explain the idea and concept of the proposal (including, but not limited to collages, drawings, photographs, graphical representations, diagrams, illustrations. References attached in this link)
- One 3D Graphic (3D view / isometric / axonometric drawing, references attached in this link)
- Title of proposal (up to 3 words), Subtitle (up to 10 words).
- Textual description about design proposal (up to 300 words).
Participants are required to mention the following at the time of submission:
- Category of space designed.
- Number of people designed for (audience).
- Description the performance envisioned (up to 30 words).
- Team member details: (Name, professional background).
Submissions to be sent as an email to submission@projectplatypus.org using [Team Code] in the subject line.
Social Distancing Guidelines:
- Minimum 6ft/ 2m distance between each pair of individuals.
- Maximum of 2 persons can be in close proximity with one another.
- Infrastructure that allows for minimum touch/contact and convenient sanitization.
Registrations:
10th May to 26th June 202010th May to 13th June 2020
Donations for registration:
Minimum amount: $15 (₹1000)
Suggested amount: $25 (₹2000)
Submission Window:
27th June to 28th June 2020 (Midnight GMT)14th June to 15th June 2020
Submissions to be sent as an email to submission@projectplatypus.org using [Team Code] in the subject line.
Results:
15th August 20201st August 2020
Eligibility:
This competition is open to people from all backgrounds. We have the provision of pairing people from outside the architecture field with willing teams from the architecture background to enable more participation (Willingness to be paired must be mentioned during the registration process by all participants).
Registration can be made individually or in teams (not more than 3 people per team).
Prizes & Awards:
5 Winning entries: Prizes to be decided
15 honourable mentions: Feature in a dedicated online and printed book published by Altrim Publishers, curated and designed by Sortedpandit Studio, Bangalore. These entries will also be featured by our media partners ArchDaily, KooZA/rch, Architecture Live! and The Architects’ Diary.
Winning and shortlisted entries would also be featured in a virtual exhibition on Project Platypus’ website and in a physical exhibition (when the world allows for it!)
Judgement Criteria:
- Conceptual Treatment of the program.
- Multidisciplinary approach of the proposed concept.
- Innovation in representational techniques.
- Richness of artistic experience: performer and audiences.
- Written Description: containing description of the built environment of the intervention, the conceptual idea, design process and vision of the future of performances and gatherings.
Additional points to consider:
- Benefit of this new relationship between space and art to the community.
- Functionality aspects of the space: Accessibility, Movement, ease of hygiene maintenance.
