Solar Access Laws :: Essays Papers

Solar Access Laws Brief History of Solar Access Ralph Knowles’ paper, â€Å"The Solar Envelope† further discusses the high priority given to structures that reflected the path of the sun in ancient civilizations. The Acoma Pueblo Settlement west of Albuquerque, New Mexico has been occupied by over one thousand years. In Acoma, buildings are arranged in rows oriented to the south at intervals down the hillside. The buildings collectively face south, toward warming rays of winter sun and away from heating east/west sun of summer. In the winter the low sun warms thick masonry walls that in turn warm interior rooms into the night. In the summer the sun passes overhead hitting (and reflecting off of) roofs and terraces. The Acoma houses are spaced to offer protection in summer by sharing sidewalls and so as not to shade one another in winter. Necessity of Solar Access Laws As societies have placed value on solar access for centuries, we are faced in a time of extreme exponential growth with the challenges of maintaining equal solar access for all. Equal Solar Access is important in two fundamental ways. The first is science based. Solar access saves energy. In 1988 the Tacoma Energy Office conducted the â€Å"Tacoma Solar Access and Economic Benefits Study† and found that solar lot orientation reduces energy use by between ten and twenty percent per single-family housing unit (Aalfs 1997). As in Acoma, the Tacoma energy office recognized the fundamental role the sun could play in efficient energy use and ultimately energy conservation. In Tacoma, energy savings were identified as the primary goal of solar access standards. In Tacoma they cited further that energy savings would be likely to go up in the future with the development of solar technologies and diminishing supplies of petroleum products. Individuals and businesses in both the private and public sectors must have equal opportunity to alternative energy systems that may use the infinite (at least until the sun super novas) supply of solar energy. It is necessary to maintain equal access for not only current energy savings but for alternative energy strategies in the future. Ultimately, the sun is integral to all life. Knowles states that it is the warmth, energy and rhythm of our lives. It â€Å"informs our perceptions of time and space and our scale in the universe.† Knowles goes as far as to say, â€Å"Without the assurance of solar access, we face uncertainty and disorientation.

Neriagi Nerikomi

Neriage and Nerikomi are two ceramic techniques that have been used for many years by various ceramicists. Although the terms Neriage and Nerikomi are used interchangeably they are very different. Neriage is done on a potter’s wheel and means that the clay is being mixed and pulled up as it is thrown where as Nerikomi is done by hand and by pressing clay into a mold. Both methods are done with colored clays which are usually earth tones such as grey, reds, blues, and beige. Neriage and Nerikomi both originated from Japan and other areas of Asia where they have been practiced for a period of time. Neriage means to pull up and mix. This is what creates the pattern of colors within the clay. Two different color clays are mixed together to try and imitate the look of agate; that is why is it also called agateware. Agate is a variety of quartz that comes in a variety of colors. Neriage was brought into America and Europe in the twentieth century by the Mingei. The founder of the Mingei was Yanagi Soetsu. Mingei means art of the people and was an art movement in Japan. The goal was to create basic art made by ordinary people that still had an artistic flair. Nerikomi means to mix and press into. Nerikomi is done by hand rather than on a wheel. The same concept of mixing is used in Nerikomi as in Neriage. It is made by mixing metal oxides and stains into the clay to give it it’s color. The clay is then shaped into logs and then molded into forms. Each form is molded to a uniform thickness and an identical pattern is created on each side of the form. Nerikomi began in the Tang Dynasty in the seventh century and has been practiced by the Europeans and Egyptians. This technique is very complex but is very down to earth in the making process. It is made by hand and is very traditional. Nerikomi is a very difficult process but the end result is beautiful. Various artists throughout time have used these techniques. Matsui Kosei has used both techniques. Matsui Kosei is considered a master of Neriage. He researched the ceramics of Japan, China, and Korea to become a scholar of his trade. He was born in 1927 which was the start of the folk art movement in Japan. Being born in this time probably influenced him greatly because its main goal was to support the belief that ordinary people can do extraordinary things. He has made many pieces such as bowls, vases, vessels, and various other things. Rich Alexander is another artist that has been introduced to Neriage. He is from Clinton, Washington and aspires to create rustic pieces with a modern feel. His work is simple pots and vases. He chooses to use browns and beiges because of his closeness to nature. His signature designs and glazes include wood ashes to give the piece a more natural texture and color. Another artist is Thivo. Her work consists of Nerikomi and other ceramics. She was originally born in Vietnam but moved to France for professional arts training. After this she moved to New York City. Her main designs are flowers and abstract colors. Her bowls and vessels are odd designs and contain an almost mesh like pattern on the edges. Her pieces are also very symbolistic of nature. Neriage and Nerikomi are both ceramic methods that originate from Japan and other areas of Asia. Although the techniques are often confused they are very different and started over a hundred years apart. Neriage is a much younger art form compared to the ancient Nerikomi. Both techniques are very complex and take much study to perfect. Many artists such as; Matsui Kosei, Rich Alexander, and Thivo have reached a greatness within these art forms and many will continue to practice these timeless methods.

Multi Genre Paper The Iroquois Creation Story - 902 Words

Multi-genre Paper: The Iroquois Creation Story The topic I chose to write about is â€Å"The Iroquois Creation Story† written by David Cusick. I chose this topic because I thought the Native American’s belief of how the world was created is interesting. I’ve decided to do this project as a narrative through the view of the turtle. There are twenty-five different versions of the The Iroquois Creation Story, but the one I will be focusing on is the version that David Cusick wrote. One example of the different way versions of this story is called â€Å"The Woman Who Fell from the Sky: The Iroquois Story of Creation†. This story is different because it explains that â€Å"Pushed by her jealous husband, a sky woman falls from the heavens to the watery void below, where she creates the earth, sun, and stars.† (â€Å"The Woman Who Fell from the Sky: The Iroquois Story of Creation†). This is different than David Cusick’s version because it did not specify if the woman had a husband and the woman sunk down to the place below her. Another version of the story explains that â€Å"After some time, the old woman perceived her daughter to be pregnant, but could not discover where the father had gone, or who he was. At the time of delivery, the twins disputed which way they should go out of the womb;† (â€Å"Iroquois Creation Myth, 1816†). This version is different because in David Cusick’s version, there was no mention of the woman being a daughter and the twins did not dispute on which way they