Thesis statement as of now

For thousands of years, artists and designers have captured the essence of a place through their work. In my thesis work I intend to explore how art and design can be used to help people have a unique experience of a place, and thus be moved to preserve it’s authenticity. The unique sensory experience of Grand Central Station moved people to halt it’s demolition in the 70’s. Edward Hopper’s paintings of Greenwich village have inspired people to preserve the area’s authentic storefronts. How can a sensory experience be enhanced through design, and how can design capture the essence of a neighborhood?

My current focus is on the Rivington street neighborhood of the Lower East side, and projects will range from documentation, community interaction, and visual experimentation through drawing, collage and painting. Also of interest is the memory map, or abstract experience of a path through an area.