Preemptive Architecture: Explosive Art and Future Architectures in Cursed Urban Zones

Stahl Stenslie

doi:10.25038/am.v0i12.165

Authors

Stahl Stenslie

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25038/am.v0i12.165

Keywords:

preemptive architecture, inverse thinking, discursive methodology, bomb-ready architecture, destruction as aesthetic category, smart materials

Abstract

This article describes the art and architectural research project Preemptive Architecture that uses artistic strategies and approaches to create bomb-ready architectural structures that act as instruments for the undoing of violence in war. Increasing environmental usability through destruction represents an inverse strategy that reverses common thinking patterns about warfare, art and architecture. Building structures predestined for a constructive destruction becomes a creative act. One of the main motivations behind this paper is to challenge and expand the material thinking as well as the socio-political conditions related to artistic, architectural and design based practices.

Author Biography

Stahl Stenslie

Aalborg University
Denmark

Stahl Stenslie (1965) PhD, is an artist, curator and researcher specializing in experimental media art, interactive experiences and disruptive technologies. He focuses on art and expressions that challenge ordinary ways of perceiving the world. His practice asks the questions we tend to avoid or where the answers lie in the shadows of existence. Keywords of his practice are somaesthetics, unstable media, transgression and the numinous. The technological focus in his works is on the art of the recently possible – such as: panhaptic communication on Smartphones; somatic and holophonic soundspaces, and disruptive, open source design of functional and lethal weapons for low cost 3D print. He is an award winning artist, exhibiting, moderating and lecturing at major international events (ISEA, DEAF, Ars Electronica, SIGGRAPH, Oslo Lux). He represented Norway at the 5th biennial in Istanbul, Turkey, co-organized 6cyberconf and won the Grand Prize of the Norwegian Council for Cultural Affairs. His PhD is on Touch and Technologies. Currently he is teaching and researching as a full professor in Art and Technology at Aalborg University, Denmark, and course director and researcher at the Oslo School of Architecture and Design. Since 2015 he has been the director of PNEK.org – Production Network for Electronic Art Norway.

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Preemptive Architecture: Explosive Art and Future Architectures in Cursed Urban Zones

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Stahl Stenslie

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