Archigram
My work draws inspiration from the Archigram movement, which proposed a visionary approach to future cities with its futuristic architectural concepts and modular designs. This imaginative vision of the future also reminded me of the construction methods used with LEGO bricks—where standardized modules are assembled to create imaginative architectural landscapes. This visual and conceptual approach connects deeply with the themes of standardization and industrialization present in modern life. In particular, items like Pringles chips, with their uniform shape and stacking method, led me to reflect on the highly homogenized lifestyles prevalent in contemporary society.
Key
In this project, I constructed a densely packed urban skyline using LEGO bricks, symbolizing the prosperity and rapid development of modern cities. These building clusters were intentionally designed to be tall and compact, aiming to convey a sense of claustrophobia and to evoke the crowded, tense atmosphere of urban life.
Simultaneously, I incorporated Pringles cans and chips as part of the work, attempting to stack them as high as possible to simulate the towering effect of skyscrapers. The combination of Pringles cans with LEGO structures creates a visual impact that is both absurd and realistic. I used chips to spell out the title “Isn’t it beautiful”—posing a satirical question about whether the highly standardized and efficiency-driven society we pursue truly brings us beauty. Yet, through my accompanying poem, I offer a hopeful and humorous exploration, attempting to find commonality and connection between people amidst the cold, lonely, and monotonous modern life.
Creative Process
1. Material Selection: The primary materials used in this work include LEGO bricks, Pringles chips, and Pringles cans. The modular nature of LEGO and the standardized form of Pringles complement each other, creating a visually striking effect.
2. Building and Stacking: The LEGO bricks were used to build a city skyline, while the Pringles cans were stacked vertically to enhance the sense of towering structures. The chips were arranged to spell out the title, striking a balance between humor and critique.
3. Visual Impact: The dense stacking and minimalist color contrasts aim to express the pervasive standardization and pressure in modern life, while the satirical wording prompts viewers to rethink the true meaning of “beauty.”
References
1. Archigram Group: Archigram – The Book. London: Princeton Architectural Press, 2010.
Julie Mehretu often starts her work with architectural plans, maps, and other structured diagrams, using these as the “skeleton” for her paintings. From there, she layers on freeform lines, brushstrokes, and textures, gradually bringing the canvas to life with a rich complexity. This technique doesn’t just add depth to her work—it’s almost like she’s digging into the hidden stories and history beneath the surface of the city. The result is a kind of tension that draws viewers in, making them feel like they’re exploring a multi-layered, ever-changing urban landscape.
In my own work, I’ve borrowed this idea of layering. I build towering cityscapes using LEGO bricks and stack Pringles cans to mimic the dense, imposing feel of skyscrapers. By combining these elements, I’m not just recreating the look of city structures—I’m also exploring themes of standardization and sameness in modern life. The act of building and stacking these materials feels like a way of visually expressing the repetitive and uniform nature of urban living.
Mehretu’s pieces, despite their abstract nature, manage to capture the paradox of city life—the coexistence of coldness and vitality. She brings together rigid architectural lines with fluid, dynamic strokes, reflecting both the harsh exterior of cities and the underlying warmth of human presence. Similarly, in my work, I use everyday objects like Pringles cans to build “skyscrapers.” These seemingly ordinary items symbolize the mechanization and uniformity of our modern world. While they’re familiar and mundane, they also represent that sense of monotony we see in endless rows of identical buildings.
However, like Mehretu, I don’t want my work to simply convey a sense of coldness. By using Pringles chips to spell out the phrase “Isn’t it beautiful,” I’m inviting viewers to question whether our obsession with efficiency and standardization truly leads to beauty. Is there still room for warmth and humanity behind these rigid, systematized structures? Through this playful yet critical approach, I hope to encourage people to reconsider what really matters beneath the surface of our fast-paced, highly structured lives.
Doug Aitken’s Sleepwalkers
He uses multi-channel video installations to depict the nocturnal journeys of solitary individuals through the city, capturing the coexistence of urban bustle and isolation. This approach breaks the boundaries between art and urban life, weaving fragmented stories into a cohesive whole. Aitken’s work inspired me to reflect on how we might find connection in seemingly isolated lives.
My poetry and installation, Isn’t it Beautiful?, draws on this influence by using LEGO bricks and Pringles cans to construct futuristic cityscapes. These standardized objects symbolize the mechanization of modern life, but I use them to explore the hidden emotional resonance within repetitive daily routines. Much like Aitken’s characters silently traversing the city, my work uses familiar, repeated items to reveal the underlying commonalities between people. The accompanying poem expresses a longing for shared living—finding warmth and hope within a cold environment, breaking through isolation by recognizing the small, shared details that connect us.