http://www.microcinemadvd.com Architecture is a discipline plagued by its own...(More)

http://www.microcinemadvd.com Architecture is a discipline plagued by its own insecurities, a curious mixture of optimism and pessimism, momentary successes and, more commonly, deep frustrations. In this new 18-page publication, Michael Meredith, Assistant Professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, tackles the problems facing the discipline head-on, interrogating its internal dynamics and searching for a mode of practice that can survive amid the confusing, conflicting demands of contemporary culture. Nominally addressed to students entering the field, "Notes for those beginning the discipline of architecture" is a scathing take on the profession from one of its emerging young practitioners, outlining its pitfalls, its excruciating failures, and "in spite of it all" its undeniable potentials. The accompanying DVD, "Alternate Ending 1: The Glimmering Noise," is a hilarious and sobering mock debate (inspired by a morbid fascination with William Buckley, Jr.'s "Firing Line") that dissects the curious position of the architect amid the fickle, shifting forces of the 21st century market economy. An insider's unflinching look at the problems facing current architectural practice, Meredith's work is of interest to anyone who cares about the potentials of design today. DVD Directed by David Fenster. Actors: David Nordstrom and Michael Meredith. Music for the preview and portions of the music on the dvd by � Peter Whincop, 2002 Author Information: Michael Meredith Michael Meredith is Assistant Professor of Architecture at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. His professional practice engages interdisciplinary discourses, ranging from art to technology, producing a spectrum of design work which includes furniture, products, sound, speculative architecture projects and residences in New York, Ontario, Texas, and California. Recently he was a finalist for the design of the Pentagon 9-11 memorial and the PS1/MoMA Young Architects competition. In 1998, he was a winner of the Young Architects Competition at the Architectural League of New York. His design work has been published in Architecture, Architectural Record, Casa Brutus, Competitions, McSweeney's, the New York Times, Oculus and Surface. His writings have appeared in A+U and Artforum. In 2003 he was a resident at the Atlantic Center for the Arts, and in 2000 he received a residency at the Chinati Foundation in Marfa, Texas. Further Information: 18 page book(Less)