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Yueqing Dai

Skin: Fenestra – Systems Map

Concept Map and other system diagrams:

 

My discover:

For the topic: Although “fenestra“ is a technical term used in several different disciplines, it has something in common.  The function behind this constructure is always about transportation and interflow. It helps create a balance in the system and facilitates communication between the inner side and the outside of a single system.

For the system diagrams: I’m used to using a mind map to help me think and organize my thoughts. This is my first time using a concept map, and I felt a little uncomfortable while building it. I think it is because these two kinds of maps are similar but different that the old way of thinking influenced me. The iceberg helps me a lot by showing the development of the word’s meaning. I connected these fragments by following how fenestra’s meaning is added.

Skin: Fenestra

I started with the definition of “Fenestra” (Since it is my first time seeing this word):

From Collins English Dictionary:

  1. Biology: a small opening in or between bones, esp one of the openings between the middle and inner ears
  2. Zoology: a transparent marking or spot, as on the wings of moths
  3. Architecture: a window or window-like opening in the outside wall of a building

After searching for the definition, I was amazed that Fenestra could be associated with many disciplines.  The fact that it is a biological word at first but also has an architectural meaning truly attracts me.  I was curious about whether there is bionic architecture related to Fenestra and plan to do some research on it later.

Before diving in, I also went to the Wikipedia page and more pages related to it to learn more about the word itself, and here is some information that interests me:

  1.  It is the Latin word for “window.”
  2.  It is used in various fields to describe a pore in an anatomical structure.
  3. In microanatomy, fenestrae are found in the endothelium of fenestrated capillaries, enabling the rapid exchange of molecules between the blood and surrounding tissue.
  4. In plant biology, the perforations in a perforate leaf are also described as fenestrae, and the leaf is called a fenestrate leaf.
  5. Fenestrae are also used to distinguish the three types of amniote.

For now, I understand that Fenestra is mostly about describing a kind of structure. More disciplines and systems are mentioned, and this makes me think that exploring and introducing how much knowledge and infomations behind this world to the public would be exciting.

Two research directions appear :

  1. For The Future:  Dive deep into bionic architecture (or bionic itself) and check how Fenestra can be used in non-biologic way. Future possiblilities of this structure and how it can contributed to the society.
    1. Problems and questions:
      1. Who should be the audience/readers/users for this topic?
      2. Need a expert in this area to help since this is too technical.
      3. Is there enough infomation I can final under this time limitaion?
  2. From The Past:  For “Fenestra” is not a common word in daily life. I want to focus on the meaning of this word in different systems. Introducing this structure’s beauty to the public shows that there are always some common points in this changeable world.
    1. Problems and questions:
      1. Some people may feel unconfortable with this structure, like intensive phobia. How to recudce the discomfortableness?
      2. It is a technical term. How to shorten the distance between it and the public? How to make it easy to understand and attractive?
      3. It might be too much information for the public. How to control the balance?

 

The moth with a skull pattern: Both holes on bone and the transparent marking on the wings of the moth called Fenestra

Emergent Strategy

  • Q: Have you felt trapped inside of someone else’s imagination? How have you broken free?

Yes, I think I’ve been trapped inside my parents’ imagination for at least ten years. It forces me to be an “ideal daughter” who should have a high GPA, choose a good person with a high salary to be my husband after graduation, and put others’ thoughts and emotions in a higher priority.  I do not “break” free. I just build up my own imagination of who I am by asking myself: what do you want to hear from your friends and families about yourself at your funeral? When my parents found that I could live happily within my imagination, their imagination became the same as mine.

  • Q: Do you find any of these principles more challenging to achieve than others in your own creative practice? How?

For me, “Move at the speed of trust” is the most difficult one to achieve. Under the definition of the speed of trust, speed goes up when trust goes up in a “relationship.” However, a “relationship” is not a one-sided thing. Usually, I can trust my partner/teammate, but they cannot trust me easily. It’s hard for me to gain others’ trust. What’s more, I am easily inferior, so trusting myself is also difficult for me. As a result, the relationship of trust cannot build up quickly, and the speed of trust doesn’t show up in the end.