Parallax

I recently finished reading a book called Parallax by Steven Holl. While the book is primarily about architecture, there were some great thoughts about space and perception. I'd like to share some of my favorite moments that I've highlighted in the book.

"Experience is understood not only via objects or things, yet space is only perceived when a subject describes it. As that subject occupies a particular time, space is thus linked to a perceived duration. The virtual body, as a system of nerves and senses, is "oriented" in space" (13).

"From touching the smallest detail to sensing the movement of a body and its acceleration in space– all of these sensations criss-cross in the chemistry of things" (58).

"We can disassemble these elements and study them individually during the design process they merge in the final condition, and ultimately we cannot readily break perception into a simple collection of geometries, activities, and sensations" (62).

"The essences of material, smell, texture, temperature, and touch vitalize everyday existence" (68).

"Light can be read both as the phenomenon of light in words and the pressure of light in science. Language without sentences, just like natural light, has essences that transcend specific meanings and purposes. Language becomes a form of light while light becomes language" (104).

"Time– as experience duration– is relative to an individual and to a space" (188).

"Space and time are only relations between our lived bodies and things that happen. Their experiential measure is duration" (200).

"An individual's experience can be limited by... physiological effects of space and enclosure. But the perceiver's angle of vision and preconception is potentially open to limitless associations" (222).

"Environments contain patterns, "lines of force, and– if we can read them– meanings" (305).

"The paradox of the parallax remains in the seeing self who, in moving, changes the perspective... that is, changes the things seen" (349).

There are countless other big ideas embedded in the beautiful prose of this book– ideas that I couldn't begin to summarize or break down into easy chewable fast-facts. These are only a handful of my favorite moments that could be narrowed down to short poignant thoughts. On top of that, the book offers gorgeous imagery. I'd definitely recommend this book to any architect, sculptor, or installation artist interested in thinking about space in a novel way.