Face Bricks

Year: 2023

Instructors: Niloufar Nelly Goodarzi, Nicolas Dagenais-Lussier

Duration: 2 weeks

Concrete cast into bricks contains slight variations which would otherwise go overlooked.

Utilizing the pareidolia phenomenon, these variations immediately stand out as blemishes on the face.

Psychology is used to highlight subtle idiosyncrasies, because it is these material fingerprints that bring architecture to life.

Pareidolia is the phenomenon of facial pattern recognition. It helps us see faces on cars, power outlets, and building facades. It is a consequence of our brains' adapted ability to observe even the subtlest of expressions on others' faces to determine friend from foe.

This sculpture hijacks this process to call to attention the distinct characteristics of each and every brick. The subtle variations map onto the face-shaped void, giving each object a distinct identity. Even modular units have unique characteristics that architects would benefit from minding.

Yes, that is my face!