Drawing as theory. Reinventing the medium, from art to architecture

Over the last few decades, architectural drawing has been mostly assumed to correspond to computer graphic renderings or diagrams: on the one hand the final design depends on a photogenic representation, on the other hand the architectural form corresponds to “the constructed image of diagrams” [Aureli, Mastrigli 2006, 105]. Some artists’ researches demonstrate that it is still possible to reinstate the whole set of representation techniques to their actual role, in both aspects of preliminary design and final depiction. The present paper explores different possibilities offered by the kaleidoscopic display of drawing: from freehand drawing to printed or mixed-media works realized using three-dimensional CG techniques, considering the invention of special devices to produce “traditional” drawings (i.e. Rebecca Horn, Olafur Eliasson), preliminary models and investigational handicraft. A peculiar attention is paid to collage and photomontage, for their capability of being always renewable and representative of our times. The investigation focuses on the issue of “reinventing the medium” (Drawing), as an interdisciplinary “set of conventions derived from (but non identical to) the material conditions of a given technical support” (Krauss 1999,296), which can be relevant to, and significant of, today’s design strategie