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Seven Pillars of Wisdom

Part 2 Project 2015
Alicea Rose Berkin
Newcastle University | UK
T.E. Lawrence began his career as an archaeologist, specialising in Arab affairs. He became famous after the First World War because of the remarkable role he played while serving as a British Liaison Officer during the Arab Revolt of 1916-18.

This project focusses on his autobiographical account of his service in the revolt: ‘The Seven Pillars of Wisdom’. The text was re-written twice, the first copy lost at Reading station, the second he burned, the third constructed from memory.

The project asks to what extent our self-image, and our cultural memory is formed by the stories we are told about the past. It situates us at the centre of a series of constructs around Lawrence’s ‘retirement’ cottage of Clouds Hill, Dorset that are drawn from his autobiographical descriptions. The Seven Pillars of Wisdom are materialised as a family of forms, spatialising his memories and experiences and allowing us a unique way of exploring his character, and our understanding of the past.

Seven Pillars of Wisdom opens up the role of architectural representation to new modes of experience as a performative, installation space in itself, locating us in the role of Lawrence and asking us to read him through this positioning.

Alicea Rose Berkin

Tutor(s)
James Craig
Matt Ozga-Lawn
2015
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