In the chapter Convivial Reconstruction from Illiach’s ‘Tools for Conviviality’, Illiach warns about the current industrialised system where we would become enslaved by our own tools, throughout time we depend increasingly on the tools we use in our daily lives paralleling constant technological advancements, “As the power of machines increases, the role of persons more and more decreases to that of mere consumers.” Illiach believes that if we take part in the production process of our tools, we use the tools in a more meaningful way and we live a more meaningful life. A way to achieve this would be through a Convivial Reconstruction, in which Illiach suggests “the transition to socialism cannot be effected without an inversion of our present institutions”. I found this to be fascinating as people need not only the ability to get tools, they would also need the ability to make the tools that surrounded them. There would also be more of a personalised approach to the tools produced and used. This could lead in to a new, potentially innovative way of creating new tools and developing our current process of producing tools. In this piece I aim to explore how the current problems of the industrialised system relate to the architecture of cinemas, and how this could improve through using the theory of Conviviality.

An interesting aspect to take away from this chapter is the lack of awareness we have about the process of production for the tools we use, as some tools could be “artificially restricted through some institutional arrangements.” This could lead us to being manipulated subliminally leading us to become controlled in the way our tools are used, “the common man has lost much of the mobility the old system gave him, without gaining any new freedom” This further suggests that our increased disconnect in the process of production for tools would lead to us giving way our freedom of how we previously used the same tools. This could further homogenize the personalities of the user, “The progressive homogenization of personalities and personal relationships cannot be stemmed without a retooling of society.” This could mirror how architecture in cinemas are becoming more homogenized, “The cinema space as a degree zero of architecture is marking a limit where architecture doesn’t exist any more” This would suggest the contemporary architecture for cinemas as they gradually become more minimalistic, providing an “adequate” amount of lighting and acoustics, creating a lack of architectural character. Which could further support the concept of how the process of building cinemas has become more industrialised.

Although Illiach’s ‘Tools for Conviviality’ was published in 1973, a lot of the themes and problems with the current industrial system are still relevant, if not more relevant. My interest for my dissertation lies in exploring the future of cinema through architecture. This chapter could influence my take on my chosen subject as maybe theorising a way to revive or develop cinemas through architecture through integrating the system of conviviality through creating and using convivial tools to give the audience, “the greatest opportunity to enrich the environment with the fruits of his or her vision.” Reversing the current outcome of the audience feeling joy, “as opposed to mere pleasure”. We can see the concept of our dependence with advanced tools in current cinemas where orchestras for silent movie screenings replaced by surround sound speakers. Straying away from creating spaces “where the whole space was confronted to a certain representation of life”. I aim to explore the future possibilities of the role of architecture in cinemas using the Illiach’s theory of conviviality.

In the chapter Convivial Reconstruction from Illiach’s ‘Tools for Conviviality’, Illiach warns about the current industrialised system where we would become enslaved by our own tools, throughout time we depend increasingly on the tools we use in our daily lives paralleling constant technological advancements, “As the power of machines increases, the role of persons more and more decreases to that of mere consumers.” Illiach believes that if we take part in the production process of our tools, we use the tools in a more meaningful way and we live a more meaningful life. A way to achieve this would be through a Convivial Reconstruction, in which Illiach suggests “the transition to socialism cannot be effected without an inversion of our present institutions”. I found this to be fascinating as people need not only the ability to get tools, they would also need the ability to make the tools that surrounded them. There would also be more of a personalised approach to the tools produced and used. This could lead in to a new, potentially innovative way of creating new tools and developing our current process of producing tools. In this piece I aim to explore how the current problems of the industrialised system relate to the architecture of cinemas, and how this could improve through using the theory of Conviviality.

An interesting aspect to take away from this chapter is the lack of awareness we have about the process of production for the tools we use, as some tools could be “artificially restricted through some institutional arrangements.” This could lead us to being manipulated subliminally leading us to become controlled in the way our tools are used, “the common man has lost much of the mobility the old system gave him, without gaining any new freedom” This further suggests that our increased disconnect in the process of production for tools would lead to us giving way our freedom of how we previously used the same tools. This could further homogenize the personalities of the user, “The progressive homogenization of personalities and personal relationships cannot be stemmed without a retooling of society.” This could mirror how architecture in cinemas are becoming more homogenized, “The cinema space as a degree zero of architecture is marking a limit where architecture doesn’t exist any more” This would suggest the contemporary architecture for cinemas as they gradually become more minimalistic, providing an “adequate” amount of lighting and acoustics, creating a lack of architectural character. Which could further support the concept of how the process of building cinemas has become more industrialised.

Although Illiach’s ‘Tools for Conviviality’ was published in 1973, a lot of the themes and problems with the current industrial system are still relevant, if not more relevant. My interest for my dissertation lies in exploring the future of cinema through architecture. This chapter could influence my take on my chosen subject as maybe theorising a way to revive or develop cinemas through architecture through integrating the system of conviviality through creating and using convivial tools to give the audience, “the greatest opportunity to enrich the environment with the fruits of his or her vision.” Reversing the current outcome of the audience feeling joy, “as opposed to mere pleasure”. We can see the concept of our dependence with advanced tools in current cinemas where orchestras for silent movie screenings replaced by surround sound speakers. Straying away from creating spaces “where the whole space was confronted to a certain representation of life”. I aim to explore the future possibilities of the role of architecture in cinemas using the Illiach’s theory of conviviality.

Unpacking
Tools for Conviviality

Chapter 2 - Convivial Reconstruction

PRESENTATION

by Tuesday 01.12.2020

Deadline:
Both tasks will need to be completed by MONDAY 30 NOVEMBER 2020 at 5pm

PRESENTATION
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INDESIGN
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PRESENTATION
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