32weaksystems

weak systems and fluctuating contingencies Venice as theatre

structural movement | elastic systems by karianne halse

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weak | wēk | adjective • not able to fulfil its functions properly • of a low standard; performing or performed badly • liable to break or give way under pressure system | l sistəm | noun a set of interacting or interdependent components forming an integrated whole or a set of elements (often called ‘components’) and relationships which are different from relationships of the set or its elements to other elements or sets

By definition the term ‘weak’ is instinctively understood as a negative characteristic, involving an alleged inability to perform as expected. The instant assumption is that the strong and robust is optimal; a shelf should be properly fixed to the wall, screws linking parts of a rack should be tightened to prevent it from being unstable – it should be built to resist. The paradox within this term is intriguing; when unfolding the subject, weak systems are everywhere within various fields – biology, architecture, theories of the city and design – conducting moderate to vital tasks. One can classify weak systems into two categories; first where the components within the system are fragile, a brittle system. In geology, brittle deformation is a failure of a material under stress and occurs when a material breaks under pressure. The other is an elastic system, which is when a material does not break under pressure, but deforms and returns to its original shape when the tension is released. In the field of architecture, this could be translated as weak linkages between components.

1 Rasmussen, Steen Eiler. ‘Architecture Experienced as Color Planes’ in Experiencing Architecture. Cambridge MA: MIT Press, 1964.

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