In this calm Sunday, I have bit of time to write and reflect on struggle and surviving. I met Gary few years ago in covid time, we talked so much about life as an architect how to survive, and he coined from our discussion that how me and my team survive in architecture is like art of war. I think it’s not about me on surviving but us together are surviving, and it’s not an easy process.
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He started his journey again now back in Malaysia and has published one unique book titled an effortless and gave it to me. I think he has quest to find language beyond architecture that language bridges others element that could be bogus, fake, persona. He has concern image culture as copy and past, and quest to be frugal, finding locality, organic approach.
This method is not new, even it is condemned to be outdated but i like it even-though it’s not efficient somehow but it’s fun and pleasure as it touch humanity. Like the culture of information technology drive us to be more commercial, more global, following certain standard. This attitude will form passion resilience and adaptive of setting the contextual practice.
I know several friends like Gary are doing this kinda praxis, they are realistic and tough warrior. In the past they are warriors that fighting for architecture , CIAM has done theirs, team X, has done theirs, metabolism has done theirs. Some of the seniors, juniors and colleagues in my ecosystem has also done theirs, I have done mine. And now he is fighting on him. It should look on effortless if you do it with joy, but to do it, it will take you blood and tears. It glimpse of hope, things that is personal that resonates from the poet from he wrote in the book.
By reading his book, I always admire people who start write their thoughts at the beginning of the journey, because it cut through beyond images, beyond persona, and show true self, a honesty to be friend for. It is a treasure for me in this era of information, ai, and technology, there is time for cup of coffee and deep talk with friend.
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Home coming brother Gary.
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@garyeow@xyz_projects@guhatheguild
#guhatheguild#garyyeow#realrichsjarief
My Mayonnaise Jar 