Lesson 5 | MAYA – The new in the guise of the already known. What is a tree?

At the Venice Architecture Biennale 2023, the artworks on display are provocative visual narratives drawn from the Black Belt in the South Side of Chicago. These are not mere representations but collages that seek the threshold where the ordinary is left behind, and the normal is reinterpreted. Each collage intentionally breaks from convention, whether by extracting everyday objects from their usual context or by recontextualizing them, thus questioning their scale. Symbolic signs become bearers of meaning, reflecting the social and cultural dynamics of the African American community.

In this collection, the artwork experiments with deliberate cuts in the representations—people are reduced to limbs, which are then transformed into new objects, akin to metamorphosed butterflies. These interventions challenge perception and invite reflection on how identity and humanity are depicted and perceived in modern society.

Gravity, a traditional anchor of perception and stability, is defied. Objects and structures that typically stand vertical, suggesting stability, are tilted, symbolizing the instability of social and economic conditions. Like walls set askew signaling imminent collapse, they compel the viewer to question their understanding of the world.

The use of coins or tokens adds another dimension, bridging the two-dimensional world of the collages with the three-dimensional world of objects. These elements act as a conduit between the past and a visionary future, representing both prosperity and the challenges of economic disparity in the urban living spaces of African American communities.

These artistic techniques are embedded within a broader narrative conveyed through the „Land Narratives — Fantastic Futures“ installations. It is a vision of the future built on a complex foundation of history, technology, and architecture, shaped by the creative expression and collective experience of African American culture.

Analyzing the artworks from the Venice Architecture Biennale 2023 within the framework of MAYA, we can identify several areas where these principles manifest:

Familiar Yet Novel: The collages incorporate familiar elements, such as human figures and urban landscapes, but place them in novel arrangements that challenge typical perceptions. This plays into MAYA by pushing the boundaries of the familiar to create something new and engaging, yet not entirely alien to the observer.

Scale and Symbolism: The principle of MAYA is evident in the manipulation of scale within the collages. Objects lose their expected proportions, and symbolic signs point to deeper meanings. This aligns with Loewy’s idea that consumers accept innovations more readily when they are presented within a familiar context—here, the context is the visual language of symbolism within urban life.

Disruptive Cuts: The physical cuts in the collages, which transform body parts into new objects like butterflies, introduce a degree of abstraction and transformation while still retaining recognizable human elements. This embodies MAYA as it presents a progressive idea (evolution or change) in an accessible form (the human body).

Defying Gravity: By altering the orientation of the expected vertical structures, the artworks create a sense of instability and dynamism. This challenges the viewer’s sense of balance and comfort, a nod to MAYA’s push for advancement, yet it remains grounded in the familiar concept of gravity and structure.

Coins/Tokens as a Bridge: The coins or tokens serve to extend the two-dimensional collages into the three-dimensional space of objects. This not only connects the art to the tangible reality of economics and material value but also to the metaphorical value of historical and cultural wealth. The use of these tangible items respects the MAYA principle by providing a relatable entry point into the more abstract themes of the artwork.

In these collages, the MAYA principle is respected by introducing advanced concepts of identity, community, and future possibilities through recognizable and relatable mediums. The artworks push viewers to explore new perspectives on African American experiences and futures while grounding them in the familiarity of urban life, personal identity, and communal history.