week1_ 12 glossaries

*Elemental construction: 

a way of building houses or other spaces, which is very simple and basic. I believe that the Cape Cod Modern Houses are a kind of elemental construction. Their structures are very simple and functional by only using vertical and horizontal lines, and the houses do not have much decoration. Thus, this term can relate to neo-plasticism, which Piet Mondrian usually did.

*Enclave: 

a place, surrounded by other countries, or isolated, so its nationality or culture is different from the surrounding country's. By this meaning, the Cape Cod modern houses can be called as an enclave, because they are totally isolated and have a different view of living.  

synonym) an encircled area    

*Plastic: 

noun) This is a material which is produced from oil by a chemical process. People use this material to make many objects, such as chairs, dishes, and containers. Plastic is usually light in weight and does not break easily. 

adjective) Something is plastic is, it does not looks like real and not natural. It is artificial. 

I believe everyone is familiar with 'Plastic' as a noun, but does not use frequently as an adjective. Therefore, I included this word.   

*Diagram: 

Diagram is a simple drawing that consists of lines and is used to explain how a machine works. It is usually applied to scientific researches or mathematics.  

synonym) chart, sketch, graph

*taxonomy:

This word represents the meaning of an ordering system, which shows how people organize collections. And it also means naming and classifying things such as animals and plants into groups within a larger system according to their similarities and differences. 

synonym) grouping, mapping.

*Ideology: 

This is an organized collection of ideas and beliefs, which is usually a political trust. And it often can be a controversial issue and arguable.   

*Facture: 

an indication and explanation that an object has been made. In addition, it sometimes means as a work or the quality of that. Thus, if there is an object, it should have the facture belongs to that. It is like a process and a history of an item.

*Vista(s): 

Vista is a high and a distant view from a particular place.  Also, it can mean a range of possibilities and a future vision, especially relevant to hope. Thus, we can have a vista when we climb up to the mountain. 

*Formless: 

something that has not a clear and definite structure or shape. Thus, I think this can be discussed with the abstract artworks, which are opaque not only on its figure, but also on understanding the representing meaning. 

*Counter-construction: 

'counter-' usually refers to actions or activities, which are intended to prevent other actions or activities. 

I guess this is a basic construction, which includes surfaces like walls and roofs, but I am not sure. Even though I look at many pictures.

So, I want you guys to help me out. This vocabulary is in the second page of 'Theo van Doesburg: Towards a plastic architecture' reading. (1 week reading) Thank you~.^^  

*Symmetry: 

If the left side and the right side, or the top and the bottom of a certain item, such as a painting, a sculpture, and a photograph, are balanced each other, this is called symmetry. 

Fold a piece of paper for a one time and open it, and then, draw a painting on the one side of the front paper. After that, if you fold the paper again, you will see the painting which is exactly balanced. This is called a 'Symmetry Painting.'

http://www.uptoten.com/kids/boowakwala-adventures-fingerpaint-symmetrypaint.html

*Variation: 

Presenting the same thing in a slightly different form, or a change in a quantity, amount, and level. For example, a child looks like his or her parents, but the appearance is slightly different from them. This is a genetic variation. 

synonym) alternative, modification, variety.