Feild Trip 3/3/11

We visited the RI reclamation center today, and toured the facility on out bus. First, it was explained to us how a linfill is a kind of giant, "trash lasagna" where garbage is layered with dirt and other materials. Next, we drove by the Scale Houses used to determine the amount of recyclables being unloaded, and the Eco-Depot used to deal with hazardous chemicals. Then, we maneuvered the bus up the trash mountain and saw the horizon miles away. In the second part of the tour, we explored the indoor MRF facility and saw where all of the recycled materials are processed and sold to companies globally. On the ride back, we discussed what everyone really took out of this field trip.

Thursday Summery

On Thursday morning we went over the home work, what it was for and why it was importaint that we did it. after that we split the group back into the same groups from Tuesday. Group one went to the shop to finish there "perfect" table, as for group two stayed in the class and learned the basics of drafting. Basic stuff like elivations, plans and how all of the sides of the object should match up with each other. twards the end of the day the groups switched stations and group one was drafting and group two got to work on there table. How ever I wanted to just restate that group ones table is perfect.

the redesigning of the table

On tuesday the 15th, we started off by talking about the final desing of our work table. We decided to split into two groups of five and design our final plan for the table. As we wer drawing them out, we learned how to draw the frame and legs at a different elevation. George brought up a good point in placement of the screws. So we had to go back and decide where would be the best placement would be. One group went to the garage to work on the table while the other stayed back and worked on the design. On the thursday the groups will switch places. here are some pictures of the plans.

Our first project 2/10/11

our tables

first thing we work on Thursday morning was presenting our first homework assignment. We each stood in front of everyone in the room and presented our tables and talk about our short paragraph that describe our tables. We all got to critique each other's description and styles of our tables. After lunch we broke into three groups in which we had to come up with a design and detonations of the table that we would be building in the shop. After each group was done we had to present our idea to the other groups we critiqued each other's ideas and designs. The plan was to take something that we liked from each design and combine it into one table. These are some pictures of our designs that each individual group came up with.

February 8, 2011

Introduction-Review and Ownership.
Today's class began with a roundtable discussion.  The topic of  'respect' and all of its permutations were put on the table for review and discussion.  Although it was a quiet morning I think every voice at the table left the discussion with a clear understanding of the importance of respect within the classroom setting and beyond. 
The transformation from 'shed' to 'Workshop' has begun and each participant in DownCity has equal responsibility and ownership of this transformation and the tools involved. 
We closed the day, back at the roundtable, with a challenge.  A challenge to think abstractly and find personality expressed by a table.  The table is seemingly simple.  Its personality may be boisterous and brash with strong joints and solid materials, but personalities often have latent characteristics. The challenge is to site the obvious and uncover the seemingly hidden.

Feb 8th

"...to be a citizen does not mean merely to live in society, but to transform it. If I transform the clay into a statue, I become a Sculptor; if I transform the stones into a house, I become an architect; if I transform our society into something better for us all, I become a citizen..."

- Augusto Boal, Brazilian theatre director, writer and politician









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