Eva Thomas

HT4001

Motifs are one of the quintessential of details that produce character to the built. In historical projects, they play a huge role in understanding how the built the structure came into being, and why in a certain manner. Beyond the history of meaning and value associated with them, or the way their volumetric profiles created distinctively framed symbolic settings in space, these motifs leave behind stories of their making through material and style. Muktambal Chathram at Orathanadu, Thanjore is a perfect example- the surfaces and structure of which is adorned by elaborate motifs. 
Based on possible articulations of how motifs were made, the argument is to dwell on how this approximation technique is good is precise improvisation. Be it the three dimensional prancing horse brackets or the two dimensional relief narratives, these motifs provide insights into the hidden histories of approximation as a useful and well-experimented tool- an intangible detail that connects context, cognition and tectonics. -Some parts are not shown in this preview. Feel free to contact author for more details.