What is a thing? Considering the 'extended object' and the relationships from which it emerges.

Littlefield, D. 2023. What is a thing? Considering the 'extended object' and the relationships from which it emerges. London Conference in Critical Thought. London Metropolitan University 30 Jun - 01 Jul 2023

TitleWhat is a thing? Considering the 'extended object' and the relationships from which it emerges.
AuthorsLittlefield, D.
TypeConference paper
Abstract

I propose to draw from biology and ecology to reconsider the “object” or “thing” - or even “place”. Natural processes operate not through the innate characteristics of an individual artefact or species, but through the interactions between individual elements. Relationships are the “thing”.

Thomas Halliday, for example, argues that preserving an ecosystem involves preserving not individual elements but the functions and connections of the wider system. The emerging science of holobiontics demonstrates that the symbiotic relationships between an organic host and microbial “symbionts” enables the host to out-perform its germ-free peers; germ-free organisms may fail completely.

In this sense, there is no such thing as the individual; the idea of the “original” is also questionable. Bruno Latour and Jane Bennett have argued that the relationships between objects (or between people and things) catalyse a sense of agency, enabling change. Rom Harré has argued that intangible phenomena such as property ownership or marriage are “things” just as much as their material counterpart (a piece of paper; a ring).

This system thinking could be applied more rigorously and routinely to spatial practice. Such thinking could apply to anything from a work of art (cultural value is as much about institutions and story-telling as it is about any original artefact) to cities (“London” is as much idea and connections as it is location). Inspired by natural processes, we might reconsider the narratives which underpin ideas of authentic things and places, focusing instead on relationships, networks and their emergent properties.

Keywordsthings, networks, relationships, symbionts
Year2023
ConferenceLondon Conference in Critical Thought
Web address (URL)https://www.londoncritical.co.uk/
File

Related outputs

Plural Authenticities: How Can Digital Representation Enhance, Extend and Even Rival the Original Object?
Littlefield, D. 2023. Plural Authenticities: How Can Digital Representation Enhance, Extend and Even Rival the Original Object? in: Griffin, H. (ed.) (In)tangible Heritage(s): a conference on design, culture and technology - past, present and future Architecture, Media, Politics, Society (AMPS) Proceedings Journal Series. pp. 88-99

The agency of small things: indicators of ownership on the streets of Liverpool and Belfast
Littlefield, D. 2023. The agency of small things: indicators of ownership on the streets of Liverpool and Belfast. in: Martire, A., Hausleitner, B. and Clossick, J. (ed.) Everyday Streets: inclusive approaches to understanding and designing streets London UCL Press. pp. 17-32

A House and its Atmosphere
Littlefield, D. 2020. A House and its Atmosphere. Home cultures: The Journal of Architecture, Design and Domestic Space. 17 (3), pp. 233-237. https://doi.org/10.1080/17406315.2020.1954401

Replicas and representation – reflections on authenticity at Bath Abbey
Littlefield, D. 2020. Replicas and representation – reflections on authenticity at Bath Abbey. University of Stirling.

Time and value at Bath Abbey: Erosion, fragmentation and the role of the replica
Littlefield, D. 2020. Time and value at Bath Abbey: Erosion, fragmentation and the role of the replica. ACHS 2020 Futures: the fifth biennial conference of the Association of Critical Heritage Studies. University College London, UK 26 - 30 Aug 2020

Creating Interior Atmosphere: mise-en-scène and interior design
Littlefield, D. 2019. Creating Interior Atmosphere: mise-en-scène and interior design. Interiors Design/Architecture/Culture. 9 (3), pp. 376-379. https://doi.org/10.1080/20419112.2019.1616925

Authentic reconstruction: authenticity, architecture and the built Heritage
Littlefield, D. 2019. Authentic reconstruction: authenticity, architecture and the built Heritage. International Journal of Heritage Studies. 25 (2), pp. 221-224. https://doi.org/10.1080/13527258.2018.1476399

Urban design, place and integration: A study of Liverpool one
Littlefield, D. and Devereux, M. 2019. Urban design, place and integration: A study of Liverpool one.

A literature review on the privatisation of public space
Littlefield, D. and Devereux, M. 2017. A literature review on the privatisation of public space.

Heritage and time: mapping what is not there
Littlefield, D. 2017. Heritage and time: mapping what is not there. in: Counsell, J., Mahdjoubi, L. and Arayici, Y. (ed.) Heritage Building Information Modelling Oxford Routledge. pp. 32-44

The living and the dead; an investigation into the status of erasure within the floor of Bath Abbey
Littlefield, D. 2016. The living and the dead; an investigation into the status of erasure within the floor of Bath Abbey. Interiors Design/Architecture/Culture. 7 (1), pp. 3-26. https://doi.org/10.1080/20419112.2016.1163957

Architecture and Culture / Transgression: body and space
Sara, R. and Littlefield, D. 2014. Architecture and Culture / Transgression: body and space. Architecture and Culture. 2 (3), pp. 295-304. https://doi.org/10.2752/205078214X14107818390513

Ashes thrown to the wind; the elusive nature of transgression
Littlefield, D. 2013. Ashes thrown to the wind; the elusive nature of transgression. in: Sara, R. and Mosley, J. (ed.) The Architecture of Transgression / Architectural Design Chichester Wiley. pp. 124-129

Installation and performance
Littlefield, D. 2013. Installation and performance. in: Brooker, G. and Weinthal, L. (ed.) The Handbook of Interior Architecture and Design London Bloomsbury. pp. 226-238

Datum
Littlefield, D. and Wilder, K. 2012. Datum.

Heritage at the Periphery; the York Street vaults, the Roman baths, Bath
Littlefield, D. 2012. Heritage at the Periphery; the York Street vaults, the Roman baths, Bath. in: Morrow, R. and Abdelmonem, M. (ed.) Peripheries Oxford Routledge. pp. 129-141

New Architecture Japan
Littlefield, D., Pollock, N., Sumner, E. (photographer) and Sumner, Y. 2010. New Architecture Japan. London, New York Merrell.

Good Office Design
Littlefield, D. 2009. Good Office Design. London RIBA.

Liverpool One: Remaking a City Centre
Littlefield, D. 2009. Liverpool One: Remaking a City Centre. London Wiley.

HOME: Investing in Design
Littlefield, D. 2008. HOME: Investing in Design. London Wiley.

Space Craft: developments in architectural computing
Littlefield, D. Littlefield, D. (ed.) 2008. Space Craft: developments in architectural computing. London RIBA.

Architectural voices: listening to old buildings
Littlefield, D. and Lewis, S 2007. Architectural voices: listening to old buildings. London Wiley.

Permalink - https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/w98qw/what-is-a-thing-considering-the-extended-object-and-the-relationships-from-which-it-emerges


Share this

Usage statistics

29 total views
13 total downloads
These values cover views and downloads from WestminsterResearch and are for the period from September 2nd 2018, when this repository was created.