chris taleff

Today we had our last pin-up before the midterm.  Here are some drawings I have been working on regarding the indexing of information around the door.

For the spring semester, we are designing a space beginning with the door.  This photo was part of my analysis and a study of the relationship between the person inside (left Bannack) and outside (right Bannack).  I have been exploring the door through 3 concepts of the door as an index.  First, the index as a photographic negative is the index of an event with inherent reversal of position and a capture of time.  Second, the physical indexing that happens with any object being used:  the signs of wear as a map of the object’s intended/interpreted function.  Third is the indexing of the scale of the body.  With this idea the door operates with an acknowledgement of the body and its operation is learned through exploration (in a way the door is a playground).  As it is operated, the movements are indexed through the door impacting the inside and outside spaces directly.

Although this seems very unclear and conceptual, in becoming a door, it will become very tangible.  I began with a study of the way universal handles function due to their form through a series of drawings which I will post soon.

Yesterday I presented my midterm project at the Cooper Union 2nd Year Studio. Starting with a 9-square cube, a matrix, we began to deform and take note of the qualities held by the matrix. My project began with an investigation of the individual vectors that make up the matrix, entering the space moving about and leaving without ever breaking. We introduced ground and begin to explore topology on our way to creating an “UnHouse”. My project developed into two separate houses, access from opposing sides of a void and intersecting in the center of the void still remaining separate entities.

My review was great and left me with a lot of work and unresolved issues but also with positive energy to continue my exploration.

These are the most beautiful post-it notes I have seen!

Naruse Inokuma Architects, based in Japan, created these post-it notes from recycled wood of homes and buildings that were torn down.  The wood was recycled into stationary and then these “IE-Tags”.  They would look great on a desk and look really wonderful used as page holders.

Overall, Naruse Inokuma Architects have a simple beautiful approach to all their designs and their site is worth checking out.

They were featured on The Daily Icon: Architecture

Analysis of House VI by Peter Eisenman Graphite and Colored Pencil on Paper 18″x28.5″

Chris Taleff, 2010

Its about time I started integrating portfolio work into this site, afterall that is one of the goals of christaleff.com.  Above is a hand drafted analysis of the planes and cubes used in the creation of House VI by Peter Eisenman.  Peter Eisenman was/is considered a deconstructivist and designed House VI in the 1970s.

Winter is officially here.  I made the very snow drive from Helena to Bozeman this morning for a few days of class.  I took off my hat and mittens as I was pulling into Townsend and I think the car actually got warm a few miles before I reached Bozeman.

Yesterday Sara pulled out and washed Bannack’s sheepskin.  He was mighty glad to see it as you can tell.  He’s also mighty glad to have Uncle Kevin back for a while introducing him to stuff like Betel Nut,  native dances from around the world and how to set up your own server.

Fortunately, winter also means soup time.  I whipped up a little invention this afternoon and I’m calling it 3 potato chowder with kale.

…and finished with a bit of bleu cheese and a bunch of pepper.

Happy Winter

The Casey Family (that includes Me) is heading to Puerto Morelos, Mexico to celebrate New Years and give Bannack his first taste of the Ocean (literally).  Sara, B, and I went down to apply for passports last week in Bozeman.  It took a few visits but after a good deal of investigative work on our part as to where we could find proof of Bannack’s citizenship and how to prove Sara’s true identity, we finally returned to attempt passport applications.  The lady at the Bozeman post office apparently lost her sense of humor somewhere so that didn’t make the visit any less painful but hopefully we receive our passports in time and will not have to visit again for 10 years.

Above are our passport photos.  After taking one of each of us she proclaimed, “ooh”.

Bannack and I were drivng back from Bozeman stopped to let the dogs explore a little.  We came around a hill to this nice herd checking us out.  They were just on the crest of the nob as we arrived with the largest Buck in the center but started moving the second they saw us, its hunting season after all.  Still beautiful with the early winter colors.

A little throwback to our Pre-Bannack Election Days.  Don’t forget to vote, we get the whole day off!