CARCINOGEN CONSTRUCTION
Project created with partner Run Lin
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To what extent is it the architect’s role to specify/modify/control/educate/advocate/create/care? Where do we draw the line? Carcinogenic building materials are present within almost every space created in the 20th and 21st century. Cancer is caused when two cells divide during mitosis in an incorrect way. They miscommunicate, replicated uncontrollably, obtain too many messages and/or divide incorrectly. Whatever the case, these bad cells begin to build up without the preventative checks in balances in place. This process is internal. The cell comes from within and destroy us. 20th century building materials --along with pretty much every manufactured item within consumerism today-- cause forms of cancer such as lung, stomach, pancreatic, bladder, kidney, skin, prostate, nasal passage, breast, testicular, and many more. This toxic relationship with our beloved materials causes the most harm. The difficult part of this analysis is the lack of research about the preventative measures of cancer. The very walls we build to shelter ourselves are the ones harming us.
The Exhibition of Exploitation: Is a visual display of materials that expose us to toxic chemicals. This is important when understanding the political impacts of carcinogenic materials. We hear about banned materials only after thousands of cases have impacted our society. Phthalates, VOCS, formaldehyde, and spray foam building insulation are some of the most toxic examples of mediums that harm our bodies on a daily basis. This perpetual cycle instigates the very need to learn about our surroundings and what we consume.
