THE LATER ACT | semiotics < computational craft

Abstract

This paper is an interlude in three parts: the semiotic, the formal and the problem of the present. It will attempt to present an outline as to how the discipline of architecture can find a way to begin to turn away from the variability of language as embodied architecture's nod to the sciences and towards philosophy. It is concerned directly with operative use of philosophy in terms of the act of making as tied into the computational turn. We look to the computational turn in architecture as a philosophical problem. This reveals itself in being directly recognised as the familiar philosophical problem of the mind and body; or, as it will be discussed here, the subject-object problem. The reading of the subject-object problem will agree with the ascertain of Pierre Jacob when he stated that perhaps one could derive "intentionality from function and and consciousness from intentionality.” It will aim to present us with, as Kipnis ever so poignantly noted in 2007, "the later act” in which we can learn "whether Eisenman's choice ends in comedy or tragedy.” The later act of this paper will put forward the term computational craft, a seemingly paradoxical term functioning as an inverse proposition.