On Reading and Conceiving

As architects and also an existential phenomena, 'we' are involved in perceptions and conceptions of environment. The nature of perception and conception determines the quality and the experience of the product that is generated by such thinking processes.

Hence, it becomes crucial to keep refining the approach and the methods of perceiving the phenomena and conceiving responses to be grounded in the 'given'. Effectively, we are dealing with reading a space and conceiving a response. All intentions, processes, methods of mapping and critiquing need to respond to this tendency of human behaviour.

If we see ourselves in our limited lifespan, as our age changes, we should realize that our perceptions and conceptions of situations keep changing. At a young age, perception mostly will be informed through "senses" (sensorial) and this would dictate the response to a situation. In a nutshell, we call such tendencies as being 'innocent' (for young kids) and 'naive' (for grown ups but who continue to imagine in a sensorial manner). As we grow, the mode of denial/ rebel kicks over and we start to use the intellect, which alters the impact of the sensorial signals that our brains digest and analyze. Thus, imagination is altered. Herein, we are trying to make more sense of our environment. Mostly, at this stage, we become aware of others needs and we try to accommodate their needs along with ours - but there is still negotiation  in balancing the idea of freedom versus the common goodwill.

Finally, if we develop our tendencies to expand our gaze to observe the entire ecosystem, cosmos, memory, we develop a tendency to look beyond our life spans and our ideas, actions, imaginations gear towards appreciating the "pattern" of things - and subsequently our perceptions and conceptions reflect this tendency. The notions of geography, history, culture, Time, Memory get imagined in greater depth. We can call such people as "evolved" persons who do not seem to take things personally, who know the dilemna of existence and yet choose to act in the "pattern" of existence -doing their own bit for the larger good. The idea of Dharma/ right conduct in Hindu philosophy, probably points to that level of awareness. Products coming out from such an attitude get a timeless quality.

One can go on to say that "aesthetics" can be understood from such perspective. The larger the gaze beyond Time, greater can be said about the aesthetic experience one attains. Herein lie concepts of "raasa utpatti" (fundamental feelings in a human being), "essential", "ambiguous", "growth/ spontaneity" (Japanese aesthetics).