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Ter(r)a.tory (Territories of terra forma)

Ter(r)a.tory (Territories of terra forma)

Project developed during the course “Collecting the Social. From Collecting to Collectivity“ at Postgraduate Studies Program, Department of Architecture, University of Thessaly, Greece, 2012.

Project exhibited at “Collecting Architecture Territories” at DESTE Foundation for Contemporary Art, Athens, Greece, 2012.

The collection focuses on tracing disparate versions of the monstrous in urban space.

Teratoplasis : the abnormal "growth" and development of a fetus.

[teras + plasis]

Definitions of the terms:

Teras (Monster): imaginary creature of supernatural size and repulsive guise / anything of extraordinarily gruesome appearance / anything set apart due to some excessive attribute / anything negative that has obtained tremendous dimensions, rendering it difficult to handle / anything perceived as perverted due to some deviation from the ordinary.

Platho - Plasi (Creation) : to create something by giving it form / to mold ductile matter / to create something with the use of imagination / to contrive something.

Teratoplasies are traced by their morphological deviation, manifested as variation of the "original" for the fulfillment of private needs or as distortions created through repugnant neighboring.

The undergoing collection is coordinated in 4 interrelated praxis. Each new element is filtered through these steps, then classified in groups of similar objects, thus contributing in the collections' ever-expanding nature.

Praxis 1: collection of elements that signify the monstrous

Praxis 2: classification and grouping

Praxis 3: placement of the objects in the structure

Praxis 4: "explosion" of the body of the collection (perip-tero), recomposition and suspension of the elements.

The periptero, the primary greek architectural manifestation of "collecting", is chosen as the optimal vehicle of this dynamic collection. In the installation, this said vehicle fesses up to its expatiatory tendencies and reveals its interior.